feeling of 'faintness'

[hypocrates]

I was woken in the middle of the night with a feeling of faintness in then middle of the chest at the point where the  sides of the ribcage meet. No nausea though.  I had to take a sleeping pill to fall asleep. The feeling is still there.

I have had this feeling for many years, although it has never woken me up. I can over be walking and be briefly overcome by faintness starting in the chest. But I have never fainted.

Check ups
- my heart has been checked thoroughly and all is in order.
- I have an annual gastroscopy which shows mild gastritis (haitus hernia) but nothing malignant.
I take 40mg omeprezol irregularly.

Should I be worried? Can I take something to stop the dizziness/faintness?
Thanks for you help
Chris

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Yes, but try not to travel alone, and take care of your meals and keep drinking some fluids.

[hypocrates]

Thank you.
I had a thryoid removed 2 years ago because they mistakenly thought it was a tumour. It turned out to be benign. I take tablets daily and have  blood checks.
I do notice these days that when I get up suddenly or go to the toilet in the night I get dizzy.

At the moment I am travelling for 3-4 weeks. Is this something that can possibly wait?

Chris

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
You need to get examined to rule out a few things such as low blood pressure, postural hypotension (fall in blood pressure, cervical spinal nerve compression, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), severe anemia, an underactive thyroid (called hypothyroidism), overactive thyroid (called hyperthyroidism), adrenal insufficiency (called Addison's disease), GERD or gastric reflux, and internal ear infections.
Since I cannot examine you and know other related conditions you may be having, nor is a detailed history possible on net, I have listed the various possibilities that should be looked into. Please consult your PCP for primary examination followed by proper referral. Take care!