[Curiosities] Curiosities and rarities of vertigo

[#Wittels-]

It affects almost 40 percent of people over the age of 40 at least once in their lives.

In an interview with "Martha Debayle en W", Jorge Madrigal, ENT specialist in vestibular rehabilitation, director of the Center for Vertigo and Dizziness of CDMX and Guadalajara. Founder of The Vertigo Academy. CDMX: 55-11-06-26-77/ GDL: 33-21-01-00-11 // IG: @dr.jorgemadrigal // FB: Center for Vertigo and Dizziness.

 According to the University of California San Francisco Medical Center:

● Vertigo affects nearly 40 percent of people over the age of 40 at least once in their lives.
● About 40 percent of migraine sufferers experience dizziness or vertigo.
● For those between the ages of 20 and 30, dizziness that comes “out of the blue” can be indicators of anxiety.
● Dizziness is more common in women than in men.
 

>>GEORGE<<

 

1. At what point in history did we realize that the balance system is in the ear?

Since prehistoric times, human beings knew that the sense of hearing was in the ears, but it was not until the 19th century that it was discovered that the most important part of the balance system was found in the inner ear. For centuries it was assumed that the entire inner ear, including the vestibular apparatus, was dedicated to hearing, both in humans and in animals, when, in fact, the balance system exists in very primitive animals, including jellyfish.

 

2. Why do some people get seasick in a car or on a boat?

This has to do with the integration that the brain makes with the signals that help us perceive movement, which are especially sight and the movement detection system of the ear. When these signals coincide, the brain has no problem. But there are people (particularly those with migraine) whose brain takes time to integrate the signals, triggering a reaction where there is sweating, paleness, the urge to go to the bathroom, nausea, and vomiting. However, with continued exposure, the brain is able to adapt to this, as sailors do.

 

3. Is there vertigo at heights?

Not in the strict sense. This term was po[CENSORED]rized with the 1958 film by Alfred Hitchcock where the protagonist suffers from acrophobia (or fear of heights) after he witnesses the death of people falling from heights. This film uses camera zoom effects that distort depth perception which is similar to what people suffer from not being able to accurately determine distances at certain heights.

4. How do ice skaters spin at full speed and not get dizzy?

This is possible through a phenomenon of adaptation and habituation: anyone untrained in turning on their axis several times would fall when trying to walk (as in the game where people spin around on their foreheads on a baseball bat and then run).

The brain is capable of stopping this spinning sensation but it requires a lot of training, and precisely these findings will help us understand how the brain can adapt and from there establish strategies to rehabilitate patients with vertigo.

 

5. Why does the "flying bed" effect happen when we drink a little more alcohol than we should?

This effect is due to a combination of factors. One is because the density of a liquid inside the ear changes and when we put ourselves in a certain position the sensation of rotation is activated. Second: alcohol affects the cerebellum, which is one of the most important nervous system structures for balance.

The interesting thing is that the “grounding” effect actually decreases the sensation because by perceiving the position of the floor with your foot, the brain counteracts the sensation of rotation that the inner ear is discovering from the presence of the alcohol.

6. Why do some people like amusement rides and others dread them?

This is a very interesting topic since there are people who pay to get on games and there are others who wouldn't get on even if they were paid! It is striking that the same sensation provides such opposite sensations in different people. We are currently studying this, because both people who are afraid or anxious can worsen their balance, as well as people who are intolerant of movement.

 

7. Air crashes: why should a pilot avoid trusting his perception of movement?

A pilot should avoid relying solely on his perception of movement because perception can be misleading and can lead to serious errors in decision making. Motion perception is based on sensory information received by the brain through the ears, eyes, and other sensory receptors in the body. However, this information can be affected by factors such as the illusion of movement, crosswind, lack of visual reference, fatigue, and other psychological or physiological factors. In addition, the sensations of movement can be different for each person, which means that the perception of one pilot may differ from that of another pilot. Therefore, pilots must rely on accurate flight instruments and navigation systems to obtain accurate and objective information about the position and movement of the aircraft.

 

8. Does being anxious or afraid really worsen balance?

Anxiety and fear can negatively affect balance and motor coordination. When a person experiences anxiety or fear, their body releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which can increase heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension. These physiological responses can affect the way the brain processes sensory information and coordinates body movements. In situations of stress or fear, the body can be in a state of hyperactivity, which can cause a feeling of dizziness, lack of balance and/or instability. In addition, anxiety and fear can also affect concentration and attention, which can increase the risk of trips and falls.

 

Link: https://wradio.com.mx/programa/2023/04/13/martha_debayle/1681411464_036007.html