Dizziness and the many related symptoms can be hard to describe to a health practitioner. When a doctor doesn’t understand the issues being faced, fall prevention can become difficult. Why is it so tough to determine fall risk, what are the 4 types of falls, and is there a natural way to combat the risk of falling at home? Read on for the answers.
One of the big problems when it comes to conveying a feeling of dizziness to a health care provider is that there are many misconceptions about the terminology. For example, a person may mistakenly believe that vertigo is a feeling one gets when looking down from heights. Vertigo actually refers to a false sensation of movement. So if you find the room spinning around you, the problem is vertigo.
Disequilibrium describes a feeling of unsteadiness. Oftentimes a person experiencing disequilibrium will see the ground shift and slant or seem like it is coming up to meet him. The patient may feel like he is falling or floating.
The term dizziness itself really only refers to a feeling of faintness or lightheadedness.
Falls are categorized in 4 grades. A Grade 1 fall involves slipping, tripping, or losing one’s balance without actually falling down. A Grade 2 fall is similar except the patient falls to a lower level. For example, a patient may lose his balance but land in a nearby chair instead of hitting the ground. A Grade 3 fall involves falling into a chair or onto the ground while suffering injuries that require medical attention. A Grade 4 fall includes all of the preceding but the patient is admitted to a hospital.
Conditions such as dizziness, vertigo, and disequilibrium are often related to a misalignment of the upper cervical spine. When these bones are out of proper alignment, they can affect blood flow to the brain, Eustachian tube function, and put pressure on the brainstem or spinal cord. As a result, symptoms such as dizziness may arise. A gentle adjustment can correct the misalignment, and may potentially help reduce the symptoms that lead to falls. To learn more, contact an upper cervical chiropractor near you.
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The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.
