VESTIBULAR REHABILITATION CAN HELP DoYou Experience Dizziness or Vertigo?
When many people hear the word “vertigo,” the first thing that comes to mind is Alfred Hitchcock’s 1958 mystery thriller with its double identities, tall buildings, and perplexing love triangle, but here at Gilbert Physical Therapy, that term has an entirely different meaning. Vertigo refers to a whirling sensation or loss of balance caused by the inner ear or the vestibular nerve. Some patients’ dizziness gets so severe that they experience extreme nausea after any kind of movement. There are three possible causes of these symptoms: benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Meniere’s disease, or vestibular neuritis. BPPV occurs when tiny calcium particles build up in the ear canal, while Meniere’s disease occurs when a buildup of fluid settles in the inner ear. Vestibular neuritis is an inner-ear problem related to viral infections that cause inflammation around the nerves that help with balance. The symptoms associated with all of these issues can last a couple of minutes or even several days. In mild or isolated cases, vertigo will go away on its own due to the brain’s impressive ability to adapt to the changes in the inner ear, but recurrent cases require professional rehabilitation. Our physical therapists frequently work with vertigo patients using vestibular
rehabilitation to help treat their current symptoms and prevent future issues. This kind of rehabilitation helps strengthen the vestibular system. Because
this system sends signals to the brain regarding head and body movements, any issues affecting it can be debilitating. That is why we focus on creating exercises such as habituation, gaze stabilization, and balance training to help the body compensate for acute ear issues. Habituation exercises are used to normalize the movements or visual stimuli that cause the symptoms. Through repeated exposure, the brain learns to slowly ignore the triggers. Gaze stabilization exercises help improve patients’ control over their eye movements, especially if they frequently experience blurry vision. Lastly, balance training exercises are used to improve stability and are created according to each patient’s need. If you frequently experience vertigo or dizziness, feel free to give us a call to schedule an appointment to learn more about vestibular rehabilitation and whether it’s the ideal option for you.
SUDOKU
LATE-SUMMER PANZANELLA
Panzanella, a Tuscan favorite, is a salad that features hearty chunks of bread instead of leafy greens as its base. What could be better for a late- summer cookout?
INGREDIENTS
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1 small loaf French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (6 cups) 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 large tomatoes, cubed 2 red bell peppers, seeded and cubed
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1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
1 cucumber, sliced into rounds
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20 basil leaves, chopped
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Salt, to taste Vinaigrette
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large sauté pan, set to medium-low heat and add olive oil. Add bread and 1 teaspoon salt, and toss often for 10 minutes or until toasted. 2. In a large bowl, mix vegetables and herbs. Toss in bread and your favorite vinaigrette and mix again. 3. Serve immediately or let sit 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Inspired by Delicious magazine
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