Vertigo - A Spinning World

It feels like seasickness or that dizzy feeling some of us get when we step off a rollercoaster -except, those suffering from this common condition aren’t boating or at an amusement park.

Vertigo is an illusory sense of spinning. It can be frightening and lead to nausea, vomiting, headaches and other symptoms. Vertigo has been linked to anxiety, a drop in blood pressure, migraines, multiple sclerosis and Meniere’s disease, a disorder of the ear that can also cause tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and hearing loss. It can also signal a more serious condition, such as a brain tumor or stroke, although that is less common.

Many of us have felt dizziness when standing up suddenly from a couch, this is not vertigo. The experience for vertigo sufferers is much more intense and includes a sensation that the world is whirling around them. Sufferers can also experience nausea and vomiting, symptoms which really get a person’s attention. Additional symptoms include abnormal or jerking eye movements, headache, sweating and ringing in the ears.

In many cases, vertigo goes away without any treatment because your brain is able to adapt to the inner ear changes. For those who need further treatment options may include vestibular rehabilitation, medicine or even surgery.

If you experience vertigo, you should see a doctor to rule out more serious causes. Thankfully there are simple and effective treatments to stop the spinning!

Dehydration: The Lasting Effects

Since the winters can be so brutal and we are stuck inside all season long, there is no question that when the weather breaks we want to be outside 24/7. While the sun provides us with some needed vitamin D it can also be harmful to our bodies. Not only does the sun have damaging effects to our skin like age spots, wrinkles, and even skin cancer, it can also have devastating effects to the inside of our bodies.

Dehydration is defined by the Mayo Clinic as “a process that occurs when you use or lose more fluid than you take in.   Your body doesn’t have enough water and other fluids to carry out is normal functions if the fluids are not replaced. “ When our skin is exposed to too much sun it can cause us to become dehydrated more quickly, especially if we are being active in the sun. This will have negative effects on our body like:

• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Increased thirst
• Dry skin

That is why it is crucial to keep your body fully hydrated in the summer by drinking lots of water.  A good rule of thumb to go by is to intake half of your body weight in water ounces daily; for example if you weigh 150 pounds should take in 75 ounces of water daily. This should also increase when you are outside and/or drinking alcohol.  If you think you or someone know is experiencing dehydration get to them to immediate medical care, like one of our facilities.   You can also find out more information on watching our Dehydration After Care Video, our very own physicians will give you advice and follow up care when you need it most.