………..VERTIGO ………..

By A. Elsworth Boss Ed.D – Word Press – January 10, 2020

Leaning against the kitchen wall feeling like I wanted to throw up while everything was spinning, I was sweating like a race horse.  If I had to officially walk a straight line I would definitely get a traffic ticket.  My heart was racing; breathing quickly I thought I was having a stroke.  But four hours later leaving the hospital Emergence Room at 3:00 am I felt fine.

Diagnoses; Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) or dizziness is the most reported complaint to doctors by their patients.  It is a big deal if not handled properly.  Vertigo is not a fatal condition but what if a person has an attack while standing on a latter, driving a car or while flying a plane?  It could be devastating. 

The direct cause of vertigo is not known but doctors have discovered that inner ear infection, pressure on the inner ear, excess water in the ear and stress can trigger BPPV.  There are three half circle, tube like structures in the inner ear apparatus (vestibular apparatus).  They contain floating crystals that sense movement and send signals to the eyes.  Sometimes the crystals get stuck or travel off center sending the wrong messages to the eyes.  This can cause dizziness and vertigo symptoms.

Doctors will tell you they don’t know exactly what causes vertigo but there are medications and surgeries to treat it.  In my research on this topic I reviewed the five most popular medications for vertigo and there side effects,  Meclizine, Antivert, Dramamine II, Dramamine and Phenergan.

Strangely enough they all have the exact same side effects, cough, difficulty swallowing, dizziness, drowsiness, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, etc.  It’s also interesting that doctors don’t know what causes vertigo but they prescribe medication for it?

There is also what are referred to as “Destructive Surgical Procedures” to control vertigo.  These corrective procedures involve injections, cutting and plugging techniques which are beyond the scope of this article.

This has been an eye opening learning process for me.  I have read hundreds of reviews by patients suffering from vertigo.  They say, “many times the side effects of the medication are just as bad as the disease.”  Now you may ask, “Well is there any good news?” “Yes.”  The good news is vertigo is curable and manageable without surgery or medication.

The epley maneuver cures vertigo.  You may have to perform the maneuver more than once but it definitely works.  The first time should probably be performed by a chiropractor or medical professional so you can learn the proper sequence of steps involved.  The main idea of the epley maneuver is to return the crystals to their proper position so that the sensors are able to transfer valid information to the eyes (brain).

If you experience vertigo symptoms in public don’t panic.  If the outside world is spinning or out of focus; (1) Don’t close your eyes.  (2) Don’t look down.  If you must look down try to move your eyes down instead of tilting your head.  (3) Remember to breathe, inhale fully and exhale slowly.  Take control of your breathing and your heart rate will decrease therefore you will be less nervous.  Try and move slowly to a stationary object and hold on until the dizziness passes.  It is natural to be afraid but tell yourself that everything will be just fine in a matter of minutes.  And remember, “Don’t worry, be happy!”