How was your Halloween? This year I took four children trick-or-treating; a five, a four, a three, and a two year old. Talk about work! And, dang it if one of them little boogers didn’t give me a head-cold!
Anyway, Halloween swooshed by me like those kids chasing candy door to door. It was enough to make your head spin. What’s more, the coming holidays don’t seem to be slowing down for me either. Life can be a whirlwind at times, but it’s all good.
It’s when things feel like they’re ‘literally’ whirling around you, that you may want to stop and reconsider. When you’re over forty, loss of balance can mean your health is out of whack.
While some of us older folk will feel dizzy from time to time, the sense the surroundings spinning is called vertigo (yes, like the old Hitchcock movie).
Your inner ear works with your brain to give you a sense of your body’s position. Your skin, joints, and muscles also send balance signals to the brain. If something goes wrong in any of these areas (like me and my head cold), you might feel dizzy or lightheaded or have blurry vision.
The immediate danger is that you might fall and hurt yourself - permanently. Slip and falls are a leading cause of death in older adults.
While we’re on the subject, some balance disorders can be caused by an ear infection, a head injury, or as side effects of certain drugs. So it’s important to see your doctor.
While some of us might get better on our own, a spell of dizziness can last days or even weeks. There are medications and certain exercises that may help, but the first step is getting assessed by your doctor.
On the whole, you should talk with your doctor if:
- You often feel unsteady.
- You feel as if the room is spinning around you.
- You feel as if you’re moving when you know you are standing or sitting still.
- You lose your balance and fall or feel as if you’re falling.
- You feel lightheaded or as if you might faint.
- Your vision becomes blurred.
- You sometimes feel disoriented, losing your sense of time, place, or identity.
As for me, well, I’ll get over the head-cold and get back to my “less dizzy” self in no time. Ave a great week!
Stay fit. Eat healthy. And, as always – enjoy your life.
John Aaron Villarreal
Bio: I am a Houston based, male massage therapist and wellness coach specializing in pain management and health programs for individuals over the age of forty. I laugh - a lot. I'm quirky but sincere. And, while I'm not a counselor, I do listen and I do care: Except for the times that I don't. That’s a joke - Did I mention that I like to laugh? Anyway, visit my website, call or email me and let's get together to talk about you, and the many ways to live life better!
The Legal Stuff: I write to inform, inspire and encourage my readers to enjoy all that life has to offer.
The content and information on this site is not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease.
Please consult your physician prior to starting any exercise, diet or wellness program.
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