Technoglitch
Core Member
Commonly misdiagnosed as a harmless headache, vertigo is a symptom of a larger underlying problem. To tackle its effects, you need patience and understanding.
We all remember our first time on a merry-go round. That twisted feeling in our stomachs is rather hard to forget. Even after we had gotten off our horses, we'd still think we were in motion and our dizziness would make us unsteady. Now imagine being consumed with that same sensation, coupled with nausea and intense headaches, frequently and without warning. That's how sufferers of vertigo describe their plight. In a nutshell, people suffering from vertigo often feel they are moving even when they are not.
On many occasions, this is accompanied by severe perspiration and difficulty while walking. Trying to move only makes the dizziness worse. "Vertigo is a case of intense dizziness. It is also very debilitating -even the small movement of looking down causes severe pain. They must not to be confused with intense headaches.There is no diagnostic tool or test that can be administered to detect it. That's because it's a symptom, not a disease or sickness by itself. It is an indication of another pathological problem that the patient is suffering from," says Dr Suraj Bafna, senior spine specialist, Qi Spine Clinic.
There are two types of vertigo -peripheral and central. Peripheral vertigo is the result of problems within the inner ear. It causes a loss of balance -hence the dizzying feeling. Central vertigo, on the other hand, affects the central nervous system. When the balance centres of the central nervous system are damaged or are otherwise affected, people are known to be affected by vertigo. Sufferers of central vertigo are at times incapacitated as they are unable to walk or move. "People suffering from vertigo often get it in episodes, which might last for a few minutes or stretch to some hours.One can't prevent these episodes, but vertigo by itself is curable.Patients in certain cases complain of neck pain prior to an episode of vertigo. If they address the medical issue with the neck, the vertigo will be cured," explains Dr Jafna.
`THE WORLD AROUND ME HAD STARTED SPINNING'
National Award winning actor Darshan Jariwalla on his struggle with vertigo
One wrong turn and actor Darshan Jariwalla was in immense pain. "In March 2013, I was in bed and turned to the side and suddenly the entire world around me went spinning and I rolled out of bed," shares the actor. The neighbourhood doctor suspected vertigo.
The initial symptoms of dizziness and a throbbing head were very severe for Jariwalla. "Though the symptoms were limited -that of the spinning world and a throbbing head, they were very severe. I suffered a diminished self esteem. I also had the feeling I was handicapped," adds Jariwalla In an attempt to cope, he tried not to make any sudden moves. Interestingly, he decided to keep news of his affliction to himself. "My industry is a world dominated by perceptions and my strategy was to rest as much as possible between shots. I have had tinnitus for a long time. The imbalance in the middle of my ears, combined with severe fatigue must have triggered the vertigo off, that's what I was thinking."
THE DOCTOR'S ORDERS
- Do not drive until you are fully cured. You might have an episode while you are driving, and this will put your life and the lives of others at risk.
- Instead of bending your neck and looking down, practise looking up more.
- Do not keep your neck in uncomfortable postures for long. This can weaken the balance centres.
- Keep the area below your ear lobe always warm. Wrap a scarf around your neck. This is where the balance mechanics are stationed in your body.
- Don't jump out of bed in the morning. Rise slowly and practice some stretches
Are you suffering from vertigo? - The Times of India
We all remember our first time on a merry-go round. That twisted feeling in our stomachs is rather hard to forget. Even after we had gotten off our horses, we'd still think we were in motion and our dizziness would make us unsteady. Now imagine being consumed with that same sensation, coupled with nausea and intense headaches, frequently and without warning. That's how sufferers of vertigo describe their plight. In a nutshell, people suffering from vertigo often feel they are moving even when they are not.
On many occasions, this is accompanied by severe perspiration and difficulty while walking. Trying to move only makes the dizziness worse. "Vertigo is a case of intense dizziness. It is also very debilitating -even the small movement of looking down causes severe pain. They must not to be confused with intense headaches.There is no diagnostic tool or test that can be administered to detect it. That's because it's a symptom, not a disease or sickness by itself. It is an indication of another pathological problem that the patient is suffering from," says Dr Suraj Bafna, senior spine specialist, Qi Spine Clinic.
There are two types of vertigo -peripheral and central. Peripheral vertigo is the result of problems within the inner ear. It causes a loss of balance -hence the dizzying feeling. Central vertigo, on the other hand, affects the central nervous system. When the balance centres of the central nervous system are damaged or are otherwise affected, people are known to be affected by vertigo. Sufferers of central vertigo are at times incapacitated as they are unable to walk or move. "People suffering from vertigo often get it in episodes, which might last for a few minutes or stretch to some hours.One can't prevent these episodes, but vertigo by itself is curable.Patients in certain cases complain of neck pain prior to an episode of vertigo. If they address the medical issue with the neck, the vertigo will be cured," explains Dr Jafna.
`THE WORLD AROUND ME HAD STARTED SPINNING'
National Award winning actor Darshan Jariwalla on his struggle with vertigo
One wrong turn and actor Darshan Jariwalla was in immense pain. "In March 2013, I was in bed and turned to the side and suddenly the entire world around me went spinning and I rolled out of bed," shares the actor. The neighbourhood doctor suspected vertigo.
The initial symptoms of dizziness and a throbbing head were very severe for Jariwalla. "Though the symptoms were limited -that of the spinning world and a throbbing head, they were very severe. I suffered a diminished self esteem. I also had the feeling I was handicapped," adds Jariwalla In an attempt to cope, he tried not to make any sudden moves. Interestingly, he decided to keep news of his affliction to himself. "My industry is a world dominated by perceptions and my strategy was to rest as much as possible between shots. I have had tinnitus for a long time. The imbalance in the middle of my ears, combined with severe fatigue must have triggered the vertigo off, that's what I was thinking."
THE DOCTOR'S ORDERS
- Do not drive until you are fully cured. You might have an episode while you are driving, and this will put your life and the lives of others at risk.
- Instead of bending your neck and looking down, practise looking up more.
- Do not keep your neck in uncomfortable postures for long. This can weaken the balance centres.
- Keep the area below your ear lobe always warm. Wrap a scarf around your neck. This is where the balance mechanics are stationed in your body.
- Don't jump out of bed in the morning. Rise slowly and practice some stretches
Are you suffering from vertigo? - The Times of India
