Question:
I live in the Midwest and have been experiencing dizziness since approximately
the second week of August, especially when I go to bed and get up in the
morning. The dizziness seems to last three days or so, then goes away for a
few days, then comes back to start the cycle over again. I'm 29 years old, and
this is the first time I've ever had this problem. A friend recently told me
he has been having the same problem (also his first time), and someone told him
it is a ragweed allergy. I looked up some info online which suggested
dizziness could be related to ragweed, but the info seems few and far between.
Is this a common symptom of ragweed allergies? I have also been experiencing a
swollen, painful, itchy right eye, and this problem seems to occur in between
periods of dizziness. Occasionally, I feel slightly queasy when I'm suffering
from the dizzy spells, but no vomiting. Of course, I realize I should check with a doctor to find out for sure, but do
these symptoms seem typical of a ragweed allergy?
Answer:
Could be ragweed (or another airborne allergen) that's triggering your
symptoms. As you've noted, it is currently ragweed season. Airborne allergens can trigger sinus congestion, and dizziness can be a
result of that. If you're experiencing post-nasal drainage (down the back
of your throat), that drainage can create a queasy feeling. An itchy, scratchy eye certainly can be due to hayfever, but could also
be symptomatic of an infection. While the symptoms you mention could be allergy-related, best to see your
doctor to play it safe. It is happening to me also. I am 37 and am very allergic to the
environment. I have been having major dizzy spells so bad the month of Aug.
especially the last 3 weeks. I have been having to lay down because I have
no control over it. My heart is racing and I know this is a reaction from
when our histamine is too high. I also get a swollen eye. It is my left eye
and it gets so swollen that the lining of the eye is so inflamed. This is so
weird. When it gets the worst is when my whole eye will hurt because of it
pressing on the bones. If you need to see a doctor. There are environmental
doctor who is also a MD. He is in Ottawa. His name is Dr. Molot. He is
awesome..... Another person whom has this. What a concept. I have never met anyone
who has this same allergy. I'm so relieved to hear that someone has symptoms so similar to mine, although
I'm sorry you have to suffer, too! My right eye sounds like your left eye. It
gets inflamed, too, and it hurts slightly just to blink. But it goes away
after three days or so. I never had problems with allergies until about 4-5 years ago when spring
pollens started causing sneezing and runny eyes/nose. I can deal with this,
but this fall allergy, if that's what it is, is a different matter. The
dizziness is very annoying.
Yesterday I had a particularly bad day. The weird feeling persisted all day.
I didn't necessarily feel terribly dizzy throughout the day (mabye a little),
but I felt really wrung out and tired. I was also very crabby. I feel better
today. I've been taking a decongestant, but it's not working too well, so I'm going to
try an antihistimine. I really want to avoid the doctor if I can because I
don't want to be tied down to allergy shots and meds and such. I may have to
give in though, because the dizziness is extremely irritating, not to mention
that it makes me feel like I'm about to die of a brain tumor or something!
