Feeling dizzy and nauseous? Might be vertigo
SUDDEN SENSE OF DISORIENTATION IS COMMON IN SUMMER, BUT SEE A DOCTOR IF IT’S FREQUENT
Sudden sense of disorientation is common in summer, but see a doctor if it’s frequent |
Vertigo or sudden dizziness can happen any time of the year but it is more common during summer. People suffering from these dizziness attacks accompanied by nausea often mistake the symptoms as that of a cardiac attack.
However, in all likelihood, given the heat and the humidity, the attack could well be that of plain and simple vertigo or imbalance. It throws our overall body balance or homeostasis into disarray, triggering a bunch of very unsavoury symptoms, say health care specialists.
Vertigo is a sudden sense of disorientation or rocking, where an individual feels like he has just got off a merry-goround. The ground seems to give away and the surroundings appear to spin.
Dr Sanjay Kewalramani, specialist ENT surgeon at Medcare Hospital, Sharjah explained: “Vertigo can be triggered by a variety of reasons. It could be a strain to the head and neck, viral or bacterial infections, and migraines as well. But the most common is the Benign Paraoxsymal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). This happens when the small calcium particles called otoliths, that are attached to the inner ear fibres within the fluid of the inner ear canals, move out of their space. The inner ear fluid and the otoliths regulate the positioning of the body and its balance.”
Anyone who experiences this loss of balance is unable to stand and is engulfed by a wave of nausea followed by vomiting.
Dr Prashant Sharma, ENT specialist at Prime Hospital, said people with no previous history of vertigo could become susceptible to it in summers. “During summers, vertigo is fairly common, especially among older people in the age group of 60-80. In the sweltering heat, the attacks are exacerbated when people do not have adequate fluids. This leads to dehydration and loss of electrolyte balance. Our inner ear, which has three canals, is responsible for hearing and also maintaining the homeostasis or balance of our body,” Dr Sharma explained.
When fluid from the inner ear begins to move out to compensate for the dehydration, it triggers the imbalance.
Treatment
Chronic vertigo usually gets corrected with adequate hydration, bed rest and reduction of stress. However, if there are repetitive episodes, patients are advised to seek medical help.
Dr Sharma said: “Patients can require vestibular therapy, which is rehabilitation exercises, to regain inner ear balance. In addition, an ENT specialist can do the specific Epley manoeuvres that helps reposition the head and neck, allowing the otoliths to get back into the inner ear canal. This can bring immediate relief.”
So, the next time you experience dizziness and nausea, check for inner ear imbalance.