Dizziness is a common problem that people deal with on a daily basis. Caused by many things, from slight dehydration to vertigo, it doesn’t discriminate who it affects. A very recent instance of dizziness in the mainstream media and sports world was when Jason Day collapsed at the US Open two weeks ago.
For people of any age, dizziness can result in difficulty walking, nausea, anxiety, tiredness, decreased ability to concentrate and depression. Above all, dizziness can increase the risk of falls, which can be a serious health concern. The earlier you get treatment, the better. That’s because your brain and inner ears are most likely to be able to work together during the early stages, so it’s important to tackle the problem when you have your best chance for full recovery.
For people over the age of 65, dizziness is one of the most common reasons for doctor visits and hospitalizations. It is especially common if you have diabetes, low blood pressure and take certain medications.
The great news is that most dizziness and balance disorders can be successfully treated. Physical therapy treatments can take many forms. The type of exercise that your therapist designs for you will depend on your unique problems, so when you decide to see someone to start correcting some of your issues, be prepared to share as many details as you can. It’s important to note that dizziness likely has more than one cause, so it may be that you would need to work with your physician and your physical therapist to get answers and start resolving the issues you’ve been experiencing.
Many times, dizziness treatments will center around improving balance, improving your ability to focus your vision, and to “correct” differences between your brain and inner ears. The inner ears communicate to your brain how your body is moving in relation to gravity and information about head motion which helps coordinate your eye movement. Because your dizziness has interfered with many of your daily activities, your physical therapist can review each activity with you and demonstrate how to move in a way where you can reduce symptoms. Your physical therapist’s main focus is to help you get moving again while managing dizziness at the same time.
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