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Having dizzy spells and experiencing pins and needles in hands. With past history of appendicitis. What could the problem be?
human
I'm a 25 year old female nurse, only past medical history of appendicitis! Recently I've been having dizzy spells, I feel at times for example I've stopped the car but its still moving, I've been also experiencing pins and needles in my hands on and off and had 1 near faint! I'm wondering what it could be? I hate visiting the dr as I feel a fraud going thank
gpt
Hello, and thanks for visiting Healthcare Magic! Two of the symptoms that you describe (the dizziness and the episode of almost fainting) could very likely be caused by the same problem.  The list of things that can cause a near-fainting episode (referred to by doctors as pre-syncope) is long.  Two of the most common are dehydration and arrythmias. Dehydration is caused most frequently either by not drinking enough, or by losing too much water.  This type of loss can occur from diarrhea, profuse sweating (as in exercising in hot weather), or other reasons.  There is no set amount of water that everyone needs on a daily basis.  You should drink when you feel thirsty, or if you notice that your urine is dark in color (it should always either be clear or a very pale yellow color). Arrhythmias occur when the heart does not beat in its normal rhythm.  Some arrythmias are benign, others can be more dangerous, and some can even be life threatening.  One of the first things a doctor will do for any patient that has fainted, or almost fainted, is an EKG.  This allows us to determine if the electrical activity in the heart is abnormal, as would be seen in an arrhythmia. I recommend that you make an appointment with a doctor to be examined for this problem.  The 'pins and needles' in your hands are likely unrelated, and it's difficult to say without asking you a great deal more questions what could be causing this. I hope I have given you some useful information, and wish you the best of health. Sincerely, Dr. Kinney