Vertigo

I always thought vertigo was a fear of heights which I experience despite 10 parachute jumps to try and cure it!.

However, acrophobia is the medical name for the dizzy feeling that’s often experienced when looking down from a high place.

a mass of ears

One of my client has been suffering from the effects of vertigo and found himself clinging to the floor at one point!.

Vertigo is caused by a problem with the balance mechanisms in the inner ear. It can also be caused by problems in certain parts of the brain.

Vertigo makes it feel like you or the environment around you, is moving even when you’re standing completely still.

When experiencing Vertigo,which is a symptom and not a condition, the sufferer may also

  • feeling sick
  • vomiting
  • difficulty standing

Severe  cases prevent you from perfoming everyday tasks.

Depending on the cause, an episode of vertigo may last several seconds, minutes, hours or days.

Mild vertigo is common and not usually serious.

However, vertigo that is persistent may be caused by an underlying health condition.

See your GP they will be able to rule out a more serious cause and recommend appropriate treatment, which may include:

  • medication
  • vestibular rehabilitation – a special exercise programme that encourages your brain to adapt to the abnormal messages sent from your ears

 

Caron

Award-winning blogger and former care columnist for Devon Life magazine. I am passionate about helping elderly people and people with dementia live purposeful and independent lives.
Designer of the Dementia Assistance Card and Points Of Light award recipient, Caron hopes to help carers when resources are limited and demand is ever-increasing. I am here to support you.

2 Comments

  1. Thanks for leaving me another comment Will, your interaction is appreciated and welcome. I have not come across Labarinthitis before and I shall go and read up about it.

  2. I feel for anyone who suffers from this nasty condition. I have never had vertigo personally, but I once suffered from labarinthitis for 12 weeks. It was an awful condition, similar to vertigo, where ‘sea sickness’ is the daily norm! Very distressing.

    Thanks for another interesting article Caron!

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