Dizziness, a loss of balance and vertigo affect nearly 70 percent of all people over the age of 65. However, these conditions are not exclusive to the elderly. Those with vertigo and dizziness can experience a loss of balance, a fall, serious injury, or a withdrawal from daily activities. Yet for all its frequency, most people have questions about balance and vertigo that go unanswered.
NEWS L E T T ER
ANSWERS TO YOUR MOST DIZZYING QUESTIONS
INSIDE: • Answers to Your Most Dizzying Questions • Physical Therapy Treatment for Dizziness, Balance & Vertigo • Alzheimer’s Prevention Month
Dizziness, a loss of balance and vertigo affect nearly 70 percent of all people over the age of 65. However, these conditions are not exclusive to the elderly. Those with vertigo and dizziness can experience a loss of balance, a fall, serious injury, or a withdrawal from daily activities. Yet for all its frequency, most people have questions about balance and vertigo that go unanswered. (continued inside)
NEWS L E T T ER
INSIDE:
What is Vertigo? Vertigo is a sense that the world is spinning, rocking or rotating even though you are standing, sitting or laying still. Young children often spin in circles then stop in an attempt to experience the exhilaration of the room spinning, but vertigo in adults often leaves them disconcerted, especially when it happens suddenly. While it is sometimes a first warning sign of an impending stroke or other neurological condition, vertigo is also a side effect of some medications and the result of a problem with your inner ear. What does your inner ear have to do with your sense of balance? Everything. While your inner ear is responsible for transmitting sound waves from the movement of bones in the middle ear to the auditory nerve in the brain, the semi-circular canals act as a sort of gyroscope in the body. These canals are filled with fluid and millions of hair cells called cilia that respond to your body’s position in space. When something disrupts the ability of these hair cells to react, vertigo is the result. This interference can be caused by concussion or other head injuries, infection or simple aging. How Are Poor Balance, Dizziness and Vertigo Diagnosed? People with balance problems or vertigo often experience a long and frustrating cycle of physician referrals, diagnostic tests and medical treatments without any real resolution to their problem. In fact, ANSWERS TO YOUR MOST DIZZYING QUESTIONS (continued from outside)
• ANSWERS
to Your Most Dizzying Questions
• PHYSICAL THERAPY TREATMENT for Dizziness, Balance, & Vertigo • ALZHEIMER’S PREVENTION MONTH • PATIENT SUCCESS STORY • HEALTHY RECIPE
the entire diagnostic process is usually focused on what is not causing someone’s vertigo. Ear, Nose and Throat specialists will check for abnormalities in the ear, neurologists will test for neurological diseases like Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Disease, and chiropractors will manipulate the spine in an effort to relieve vertigo symptoms. The key to diagnosing the root cause of vertigo is actually found in the physical therapist’s office. Armed with the latest technology to diagnose and treat vertigo, physical therapists have programs to identify and treat the source of a patient’s balance or dizziness problems. Using specialized equipment, these non-invasive tests end the treadmill of specialists and expensive diagnostics. What Should I Do If I Am Dizzy Or Experiencing Vertigo? If you are dizzy or experiencing vertigo, safety should be your number one concern. Every year, millions of adults fall, with one in five leading to a serious injury. In fact, with each decade after 65-years-old, the percentage of people falling jumps from 40 percent to 65 percent to 82 percent. Even if a fall does not result in a broken bone or fracture, pain resulting from a fall can make it difficult to reclaim your quality of life. If you feel dizzy or the room begins to spin, sit down in the nearest chair or lay down on the couch until the dizziness passes. If it does not subside or if the vertigo goes away but you are still unsteady, you may need medical attention.
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Find Your Balance: Call Us at (479)855-9348 , Today!
Physical Therapy Treatment for Dizziness, Balance, & Vertigo Physicians usually treat balance problems with medications designed to combat nausea and reduce the sensation that the world is spinning. Whilemedicationsarean importantaspectoftreatingaperson’svertigo, especially if the underlying cause is an infection, it does not address other problems that may be contributing to balance issues. Maintaining your balance while standing and walking is a complex function. Not only do you need a functioning brain and nervous system, you also need good vision, a healthy inner ear, strongmuscles, healthy feet, andmobile joints. If any one of these aspects of balance is compromised, the whole system is affected. Medicating the symptom (dizziness)doesnothingtoaddresstheothersystemsthatmaybeatplay. What Can Physical Therapy Do for Balance? Physicaltherapistsareexperts inmovement.Notonlycantheydiagnose movement and balance problems, they can prescribe a personalized therapeutictreatmentplanthatcanhelpyou feelmoresteady,experience less dizziness and lower your risk of a fall. • Alleviate a Fear of Falling. A physical therapist can assess your footwear and any hazards that increase your risk of falling. They are also trained to address physical limitation that could lead to a fall.
As you complete your treatment plan, you will experience greater confidence and better balance. • Mobility Leads to BalanceWhich Leads to Strength. Usingtargeted exercises, your physical therapist will help you regain your ability to move about with confidence and ease. By teaching you exercises that will improve balance as you stand still (static balance) and exercises for balance as you move (dynamic balance) you will improve muscle strength as well as your overall ability to move. • Flexibility & Posture. People with balance issues also tend to experience joint stiffness and posture problems that contribute to dizziness and vertigo. Your physical therapist will work with you to stretch tight muscles, improve flexibility in your joints and retrain your posture which will, in turn, improve your balance. Vertigo is an unsettling experience. Fortunately, treatment is possible. With the help of a physical therapist, you can set the world right and reclaim your life. Call (479) 855-9348 to take your first step toward improved balance! Sources:ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2401874 • enttoday.org/article/vertigo-in-the-elderly-what- does-it-mean/ • vestibular.org/node/10 • apta.org/BalanceFalls/
HEALTHY RECIPE IN A SLOW COOKER Turkey Pumpkin Chili
In a 5-to-6 quart slow cooker, whisk together chicken broth, pumpkin purée, ground cumin, chili powder, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper. Add ground turkey, separated, and mix to combine. Fold in the onion, garlic cloves, green chiles, and white beans, and cook, covered, until the turkey is cooked through, 4 to 5 hours on high or 6 to 7 hours on low. Serve with sour cream, shredded cheese, radishes, and cilantro, if desired.
INGREDIENTS
YIELDS: 4 servings, at 453 calories each. PREP TIME: Just about 20 minutes, quick and easy!
• 2 cup chicken broth • 1 can pumpkin purée • 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin • 3/4 tsp chili powder • 1/2 tsp cinnamon • 1 tsp cayenne pepper • 1 lb ground turkey • 1 large onion
• 2 cloves garlic • 2 cans green chiles • 2 cans white beans • sour cream • shredded cheese (try sharp cheddar for an extra bite) • sliced radishes • fresh cilantro leaves
COOK TIME: 4-7 hours, depending on temperature. Simply have cooking in the slow cooker during the day, and this delicious recipe will be ready for the evening.
Recipe Courtesy: goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/a14898/slow-cooker-turkey- pumpkin-chili-recipe-wdy0115
The prognosis of memory loss and difficulty with cognition ishard to fathom ifyou’veneverwatched it happen in a loved one. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s, but that does not mean there is no hope. A lot of research and attention has been put into helping people with Alzheimer’s disease live longer, happier, healthier lives, and there have beenseveralbreakthroughs in recentyears thatare incredibly encouraging. One such breakthrough is the realization that being active and engaging in targeted exercises can often delay the progress of Alzheimer’s disease. Exercise Is Believed to Help Alzheimer’s in the Following Ways: • Exercise can delay the onset of Alzheimer’s forthosewhoareexhibitingearlysymptoms, ALZHEIMER’S PREVENTION MONTH
as well as reduce the risk of developing the disease for those who have a strong genetic predisposition to the condition. • Exercise improvesbalanceandcoordination, which reduces the risk of injury from a fall and thereby reduces risk of inhibited mobility. How Physical Therapy Supports Alzheimer’s Disease Working with a physical therapist is a smart choice when you are facing Alzheimer’s. As part of a targetedprogram that isdesigned to introduce the bestexercisepracticestosupportoptimalcognition, you will learn a series of exercises, helpful lifestyle strategies, and get the encouragement you need to be successful with your workout plan. Physical therapy helps to stave off Alzheimer’s by combining target exercises and physical activity withcognitive trainingandsocialization.Bystaying active, exercising your mind and body, managing stressanddoingyourbest to liveanoverallhealthy lifestyle, you will put yourself in the best position possible toputoff theadvancementofAlzheimer’s and enjoy life for years to come. Don’t attempt to
fight Alzheimer’s on your own. Getting involved in a prevention program can pair you with the skills and support you need to stay healthy. Call Fyzical Arkansas at (479) 855-9348 today to find out how we can help make an Alzheimer’s prevention plan that’s right for you.
DEEP TISSUE LASER THERAPY SAFE • EFFECTIVE • DRUG - FREE • PAIN RELIEF
Patient Success Story
“I am back to helping with household chores... I’m even keeping up with my grandkids.” I never knew a stroke would slow me down like it did. Now, I am back to helping with household chores. Usually, my wife holds my hand as I walk; I’ve been able to take off without her and even that has surprised her. I’ve been able to use the steps without holding on to the railing and I’m even keeping up with my grandkids. I’m recommending Fyzical to everyone because you never know how much PT will help until you get started!” – D. H.
RELIEF FOR:
• Back Pain • Neck Pain • Shoulder Pain
• Foot Pain • Knee Pain • Post-surgery
TREATMENTS FEEL GOOD Laser therapy creates little to no sensation or it can create a gentle, warm sensation. TREATMENTS ARE FAST With LightForce lasers, treatments are quick— usually 5-12 minutes depending on the size, depth, and acuteness of the condition being treated.
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