A few weeks ago, I experienced a sudden spell of dizziness when I woke up. The sensation passed after a few minutes but recurred later that afternoon. Concerned that it might be vertigo or something serious, I consulted my family doctor, who ruled out major issues and suggested dehydration as the likely cause. A glass of ORS proved him right — the dizziness subsided, and I felt much better.
A colleague of mine wasn’t as fortunate. He developed persistent dizziness after diving into a pool. Hydration didn’t help, and I hypothesised that he might have injured his neck during the dive — possibly a cervical strain requiring an orthopaedic evaluation.
These contrasting experiences reminded me how complex the causes of dizziness or loss of balance can be. The differential diagnosis spans a wide range — from dehydration and cervical spondylosis to high or low blood pressure, hypoglycemia, inner ear disorders, and even serious neurological conditions. Given this wide spectrum, consulting a physician is critical, as balance and gait disturbances can significantly impact quality of life.
Recently, I came across a fascinating case from Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, that reinforces this point. A man in his 50s presented with severe imbalance and the sensation that the ground was shifting beneath his feet — classic signs suggestive of a stroke. However, MRI scans revealed something far more unusual yet reversible: a rare white lesion in the splenium of the corpus callosum, the structure connecting the two hemispheres of the brain.
(MRI brain scan highlighting rare splenium lesion – case of sudden imbalance)
Dr Sheetal Goyal, Consultant Neurologist at Wockhardt, led the evaluation. Despite the patient’s stable blood pressure and blood sugar, the findings were concerning. Further investigation revealed that the underlying cause was chikungunya, but without the usual symptoms of joint pain or fever. Instead, the virus had manifested purely through neurological symptoms.
Steroid therapy was initiated immediately, and within three days, the patient’s balance improved dramatically. A week later, he had fully recovered.
As Dr Goyal aptly said, “Not every episode of sudden imbalance or dizziness is a stroke. Sometimes, a simple viral infection can affect the brain — and with timely diagnosis, it’s completely reversible.”
This case underscores a vital truth in medicine — the importance of not jumping to conclusions. Dizziness may appear benign, but it can stem from multiple causes, some harmless, others potentially life-threatening. Getting the diagnosis right the first time is often the key to recovery.
So, the next time you—or someone you know—feels a sudden loss of balance, don’t dismiss it or self-diagnose. Seek medical advice early. Sometimes, that single decision makes all the difference.
