Anyone who has ever experienced dizziness is unlikely to experience the pleasure of swaying and being unable to stand on their feet. Literally hundreds of different diseases can be accompanied by dizziness and balance problems. While serious illnesses should naturally only be treated by a doctor, vertigo that causes only discomfort can be treated with simpler methods.
Most people who experience dizziness and balance problems on a regular basis and for quite a long time have some vestibular problems. The latter is a complex network of nerves and fluid-filled tubes and chambers in the inner ear that are involved in detecting movement and sending signals to the brain to maintain balance.
Why dizziness occurs: problems with the vestibular apparatus
As we age, the number of nerve cells in the vestibular apparatus decreases, blood circulation worsens, including in the area of the inner ear. These changes, along with diseases such as diabetes, viral infections, benign tumors (such as acoustic neuroma, which grows on the nerve from the inner ear to the brain), or Meniere's disease (fluid buildup in the inner ear), can cause persistent dizziness. and/or inability to maintain balance.
Which doctor should I contact in case of constant dizziness?
If you suffer from dizziness and balance problems, you should see an otolaryngologist who can determine if there are problems with the vestibular apparatus. Some problems can be solved directly in the doctor's office, and some may require tests, medication, or even vestibular rehabilitation therapy. Such therapy includes special exercises aimed at strengthening the vestibular apparatus, eliminating symptoms and increasing the sense of balance.
What to do in case of problems with the vestibular apparatus?
In addition to working with a physiotherapist, you can improve your condition by following some simple tips.
Tip #1 – Try tai chi and/or yoga. These, so to speak, exercises will help improve gait, posture and other physical indicators in people with vestibular disorders. These workouts are safer and easier than other types of exercise.
Beware! For some problems with the vestibular apparatus, such as benign positional vertigo, the patient's condition may worsen, so you should first consult with an otolaryngologist.
Tip #2– Take off your shoes. Your feet – it is more than just a support. They are part of the proprioceptive system, which integrates nerve signals from the feet, ankles, eyes, and other parts of the body needed to navigate in space. That is why walking barefoot exacerbates the corresponding sensations.
Try to go barefoot when you are at home or while doing exercises such as yoga or tai chi. It will also be useful to walk barefoot on different surfaces – hard, lightly carpeted, soft carpeted, etc. – this will help alleviate dizziness and balance problems by "training" the proprioceptive system.
Tip #3 – Examine your “optical weaknesses”. Some people who often experience dizziness and balance problems try to avoid escalators because they feel uncomfortable with the movement of steps or colorful tiles. Although you are working on strengthening your vestibular system, you may want to avoid certain environments at first, such as crowded restaurants, sporting events, and crowded shopping malls.
Tip #4 – Change positions slowly. Orthostatic hypotension occurs due to a sharp decrease in blood pressure when a person abruptly changes position – Gets out of bed or out of a chair. Orthostatic hypotension is not considered a disease per se, but it may indicate the presence of heart disease or hypoglycemia. Therefore, before getting out of bed in the morning, sit for a couple of minutes to stabilize the pressure, and then gently rise.
Estet-portal reminds: before performing any exercises, you should consult a doctor who can accurately determine the cause of dizziness and recommend proper treatment, or simply consult about possible contraindications.
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