On Healthy Living

WHAT CAUSES VERTIGO:

Vertigo usually occurs as a result of a disorder in the vestibular system (structures of the inner ear, the vestibular nerve, brainstem and cerebellum). When the head moves, signals are transmitted to the labyrinth, which is an apparatus in the inner ear that is made up of three semicircular canals surrounded by fluid. The labyrinth then transmits the movement information to the vestibular nerve and the vestibular nerve carries the information to the brainstem and cerebellum (areas of the brain that control balance, posture, and motor coordination).Severe vertigo may result in complications such as irritability, loss of self-esteem, depression and injuries from falls. Falls are the leading cause of serious injury in people over the age of 65.

SYMPTOMS OF VERTIGO:

a) Double vision

b) Headache

c) Weakness

d) Difficulty in walking

e) Difficulty in speaking

f) Abnormal eye movements

g) Altered level of consciousness, not acting appropriately in public or difficulty in arousal

TREATMENT FOR VERTIGO:

Vertigo improves with head rotation manoeuvres that displace free-moving calcium deposits back to the vestibule. Such exercises are easy and should be done only after consulting a specialist. Treatment for each case is different and varies from person to person. Treatment and exercise depend on factors such as preference of the patient, his abilities and comfort level with certain body movements.Don’t try any exercise you see somebody else doing. It may not suit you. Worse, it can harm your system beyond repair.

EXERCISES:

1) In bed:

a) Looking up and then down

b) Looking alternatively left and right

c) Convergence exercises

d) Bending alternatively forward and backward

2) While walking:

a) Throwing and catching the ball while walking

b) Walking up and down a flight of stairs

c) Walking around in the room with eyes open and closed

d) Playing any game involving bending, stretching and aiming with the ball

3) In sitting position:

a) Shrugging and rotating soldiers

b) Bending forward and picking up objects

c) Turning head and trunk alternatively to the left and right

4) In standing position:

a) Changing from sitting to standing, initially with eyes open and then with the eyes shut

b) Throwing a small ball (ping pong) in an arc from hand to hand and following it with the eyes

c) Throwing a small ball from hand to hand under the knee

Pinaki Goswami wrote this on April 30th, 2008 and filed it under Healthy Living |