5 Tips to Beat Postwinter Dizziness
Posted on 29. Feb, 2012 by admin in Vestibular Disorders - In Depth, Vestibular Support Group
This time of year, Mother Nature can be unpredictable and unforgiving. Here in Chicago we have gotten weather below freezing that shoots up to the mid 50s the next day. While we are enjoying the great outdoors and the beautiful sun, little viruses and bacteria also come out and infect unsuspecting people.
1) Remember that you are not the only one
The changing weather and these little viruses can wreck havoc on people suffering from dizziness. The barometric pressure changes distort your inner ear pressure leading many patients to have a short relapse, and a miserable day. The bugs you catch also can affect your dizziness.
2) Try to focus on a point
Try to do this on a “boring” background like a wall. This minimizes the visual stimuli that can make the dizziness worse.
3) STAY HYDRATED
Water helps to balance the body and will help bring you back to normal. As we go about our day often we can forget to drink enough water. According to the Mayo Clinic, people should drink between 9 and 13 cups of water to make sure you have enough water for your body to function properly. Even mild dehydration can drain your energy and make it hard to focus which all can affect dizzy feelings.
4) Control your breathe
It’s common that when dizziness catches people by surprise they can hyperventilate. This makes the symptoms worse. Controlling your breath forces you to focus on something inside of yourself, and it will get your mind off the rest of the world literally spinning.
5) Do your vestibular exercises
This might seem counterintuitive, but doing the exercises will help bring you back to normal when you are having a bad day.
If you or someone you know suffers from dizziness, please get in contact with us at info@balancechicago.com to learn more.
4/17/10: Support Group for Dizzy and Inner Ear Balance Disorders
Posted on 30. Mar, 2010 by admin in Vestibular Disorders - In Depth, Vestibular Support Group
Join us on Saturday, April 17th for our Vestibular Support Group, for individuals with dizziness, vertigo, or balance issues. This support group is set up as an open forum to meet other individuals in the community with vestibular disorders. We will also have Physical Therapists certified in vestibular rehabilitation available to answer any questions you may have about vestibular disorders or therapy.
We have a special guest speaker, Timothy Suh, Founder of the Alternative Health Group, who will teach us how Tai Chi benefits individuals with dizziness and balance disorders as well as some basic moves.
If you are affected or have been affected by any of the following, please consider joining us:
- BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo)
- Peripheral or central vestibulopathy
- Vestibular migraine
- Meniere’s Disease
- Labrynthitis
- Tinnitus
Friends and family, as well as other support systems, are welcome. As of 4/13 we already have 22 people signed up! We hope to see you on Saturday!
Where: 3130 N Lincoln Avenue in Chicago, IL (60657).
When: Refreshments will be served at 11:30am. The meeting will begin at 12pm and will last for approximately one hour.
To RSVP, please call: 773-525-5200.
Spring 2010 Vestibular Support Group
Posted on 10. Mar, 2010 by balancechicago in Vestibular Disorders - In Depth, Vestibular Support Group
Join us on Saturday, April 17th for our Vestibular Support Group, located at our office at 3130 N Lincoln Avenue in Chicago, IL (60657). Refreshments will be served at 11:30am and the meeting will begin at 12pm and will last for approximately one hour.
We would love all of those affected by vestibular disorders to join us! Friends and family, as well as other support systems, are welcome.
To RSVP, please call: 773-525-5200.
3rd Vestibular Support Group
Posted on 01. Jul, 2009 by admin in Vestibular Disorders - In Depth, Vestibular Support Group
Please join us at our 3rd Vestibular Support Group on Saturday, August 15th. Individuals dealing with or have dealt with vestibular disorders, such as BPPV, neurotoxicity, Meniere’s Disease, labrynthitis, vestibular neuritis, to name a few, are invited to take part in the support group in the heart of Chicago. Bring your support system as well!
Meet other vestibular disorder sufferers and learn more about your disorder. Topics of discussion will be announced shortly.
Refreshments will be served at 11:30am and the meeting will begin at 12:00pm and will last for about an hour. This support group is FREE of charge!
Please RSVP to: info@balancechicago.com or 773-525-5200.
3rd Vestibular Support Group Meeting
Posted on 11. Jun, 2009 by admin in Vestibular Support Group
Keep an eye and ear open for the next Vestibular Support Group meeting held in our office. This group supports patients and families who have been affected by vestibular disorders. We will be announcing the date next week!
Please note that this is a FREE support group. For a vestibular support group near you or online: http://www.vestibular.org/support-groups/find-support-group.php
2nd Vestibular Support Group a Success!
Posted on 27. Apr, 2009 by admin in Vestibular Support Group
Thanks to all those who took part in our Vestibular Support Group this past Saturday. Our team was joined by almost triple the amount of attendees as the 1st VSG and it was an overwhelming success. Our attendees were engaged and interactive and openly shared their experiences and struggles.
The attendees had a wide range of disorders requiring vestibular rehabilitation, including neurotoxicity, acoustic neuroma, and positional vertigo, among others. So many attendees had the same experience of seeing numerous doctors in various fields who were unaware of vestibular rehab. Some had tried medications with varied results, but all who have been patients or are patients say the same thing: the exercises provided at therapy WORK!
One patient, N*, is a current patient and states that the isolation factor of her vestibular disorder is the most difficult part for her. When her loss of balance and dizziness increased, she was unable to leave the house for long periods of time and do the things she loves. When she began therapy, she had “never seen such improvement…This improvement has allowed me to live, and to live independently.”
As well as the isolation factor, attendees were often frustrated when they had set backs during therapy, which many of them did. They discussed how there would be weeks of marked improvement and then suddenly, for no apparent reason, there would be a set back. The most important thing to do when faced with a set back is to persevere and continue the exercises, agreed the patients. Do not quit therapy because of a set back. Continue with your exercises and you will see an improvement.
A date for the next Vestibular Support Group has not yet been set, but will be announced as soon as it is. In the upcoming Support Groups, we will be bringing in guest speakers, inviting other medical professionals who deal with vestibular disorders, and preparing surveys for the support group so that we can have your ideas for topics.
We hope to see you there!
*First and last names will not be used for privacy reasons.
FREE Vestibular Support Group
Posted on 15. Apr, 2009 by admin in Vestibular Support Group
We’re very excited that we will be conducting our 2nd Vestibular Support Group at our office location on Saturday, April 25.
The 1st VSG was in February and we invited former patients and their families to share their experiences. The members gave us insight into what life was like before therapy, the difficulties they faced before therapy and the challenges they faced throughout therapy, whether it be doing their home exercises or making appointments on time! Family members were also encouraged to share their challenges living with those affected with vestibular disorders. The group finished up the discussion with their thoughts on how they are dealing with the disorder after graduating from the Center.
I can’t wait to share a more in-depth look at the 2nd VSG with you all. If you would like to join us for the meeting, please look us up on our “contact us” page. We look forward to seeing you there!