Despite ice and snow, do not be afraid of dizziness

Therapy with the ENT doctor improves coordination and balance

18/12/2012

When there's a picture-book winter outside, many people enjoy long walks on Advent Sundays and the sight of snow-covered trees and houses. But people with balance problems and dizziness usually see only treacherous ice and menacing smoothness. The fear of falling dominates, especially in winter, the thoughts of those affected. They often spend the cold season alone in their house, because shopping, visiting friends and going for a walk, represents an almost impossible task for them. In dizziness sufferers complain, besides nausea, vomiting and black-eye, that the world revolves around them who gives ground and they feel disoriented. According to HNOnet NRW, a consortium of established ENT doctors from North Rhine-Westphalia, diagnosis and treatment of vertigo are in the hands of ENT doctors.

Many dizziness sufferers come to the ENT doctor only after a treatment marathon with inpatient stays and long sick leave. After months in which neither dentists nor orthopedists or other specialists were able to help them, many dizziness patients feel abandoned and hardly rely on an improvement or even a cure by the ENT specialist. However, this is the right contact for dizziness. After detailed examinations, he makes a well-founded diagnosis and applies effective therapies. „ENT specialists are the first to examine the ear to prevent damage. After that they perform audition and balance tests“, explains Dr. Uso Walter, Chairman of the HNOnet NRW and practicing ENT doctor. The treatment of organic causes is usually quite simple and involves the administration of medications or infusions with cortisone.

However, even after extensive investigations, no clear indication of the causes of the dizziness can be found, which leads to a complex, symptomatic treatment. Especially for older dizziness patients - especially those with diseases such as osteoporosis - a fall would be fatal. Accordingly, they are anxious in winter and almost never leave the house. For them, it is recommended to take fall-prevention measures and to learn exercises. Most ENT specialists provide guidance on fall prevention and novel balance coordination systems in their practices. Doctors use different exercises to consciously create critical situations to help those affected to balance and not fall. Eye and body exercises such as catching balls, standing on one leg or turning the head, promote the sense of balance. As therapy progresses, patients regain more and more courage, safety and control. They often venture out the door and can fully enjoy the winter - even on snow-covered paths. Nevertheless, for those affected: Repeat exercises regularly and for a long time. (Pm)