The Doc Replies

Our expert answers your medical questions

My daughter has had sickness and dizzy spells. Her GP says it could be vertigo. We thought that was a fear of heights. Can you explain?

People occasionally tend to confuse fear of heights with vertigo but the two are not connected. Vertigo is the type of dizziness that gives the sufferer a sense of themselves or their surroundings moving. It is often associated with nausea.

Vertigo most often occurs when the inner ear – the body’s balance mechanism – is irritated by a virus. This is commonly known as labyrinthitis. Vertigo can be very severe causing vomiting. It can continue for weeks before gradually getting better.

Other causes are benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, which occurs when tiny fragments of debris or grit are trapped in the inner ear, Meniere’s disease or migraine. Stroke and multiple sclerosis can also cause vertigo, as can a benign growth on the hearing nerve.

If stroke is the cause the patient will be admitted to hospital. Medication is also available to suppress the symptoms of vertigo and nausea in the shorter term.

I have a hard, fixed circular lump on the side of my skull. It developed in adulthood and has been there for more than 20 years without changing shape or size. Lately, though, I have been having headaches on that side of my head. Do I need to see a doctor?

It seems unlikely that a lump on the skull which has not changed for 20 years would suddenly start causing headaches. However, any new headaches should be assessed by your doctor, who can also check out the lump.

My urine is giving off a strange, almost sweet odour. I drink plenty of water and feel largely well, although I have been tired lately. Should I be concerned?

You should see your doctor, taking along a sample of urine to be tested. The most important condition to rule out would be diabetes, where a raised level of blood sugar could be causing glucose to leak into the urine.

The Doc Replies

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