05 September 2023
Written by Hannah Ownsworth
Balance Awareness Week is a week to raise awareness of the challenges faced by people who have vestibular disorders (disorders relating to balance or that affect your sense of balance) such as Meniere’s Disease. A common symptom of vestibular disorders is dizziness or vertigo – the sensation that you, or the environment around you, is moving or spinning. This can have a major impact on your day-to-day life and can cause a lot of anxiety as it isn’t always easy to tell when an attack may happen. However, there are things you can do that may help you during an attack or help prevent one. Read on as we explore how to help with vertigo and dizziness.
At Complete Care Shop, we understand the struggles somebody living with dizziness and vertigo can have. Consider these four things to improve your daily life in any way possible, however small:
Moving your head quickly or getting up too fast after lying down can bring on feelings of dizziness or vertigo that take time to subside. Whenever possible, try to allow extra time to complete your daily tasks so you can avoid hurrying about. If you do feel dizzy or get vertigo, try to sit down as soon as you can to avoid falling over.*
Dropping your head down quickly to bend over can give you a dizzying sensation and increase your risk of falling.* Wherever you can, always try to squat down instead of bending. If your knees aren’t happy with you squatting, why not invest in a reaching aid? Grabbing aids prevent you from having to bend over or stretch to reach something high up quite so often. Try something like the NRS Healthcare Combi-Reacher, which is designed to enable you to reach a wide range of everyday objects without having to engage in excessive bending or stretching. You could also try the Sure Lock Folding Reacher, which folds up so it’s easy to carry around with you.
A walking stick can help provide that bit of extra support while you’re out and about. This extra support can help to reduce your risk of falling should you get an attack of dizziness or vertigo while walking.
Walking sticks now come in a range of styles and designs from brightly coloured sticks like the Spotty Purple Ladies Walking Stick through to ones that even come with seats like the Height Adjustable Stick Seat so you can be sure to find one to suit your needs.
Installing grab rails in your home gives you a point of support to hold onto if you’re feeling dizzy or you aren’t as steady on your feet as you’d like to be.
Grab rails come in a variety of designs from the more traditional white grab rails, such as the Plastic Fluted Grab Rail, all the way through to the sleek and stylish stainless steel grab rails, like the Stainless Steel Metal Grab Rail or Steel Grab Bar. You can also get specialised grab rails for your bed or bath too. For additional stability in the bathroom you may also consider a non slip bath mat.
If you’re worried about symptoms of dizziness, vertigo or loss of balance, please speak with your GP for more help. You can also find out more about vertigo on the NHS website and our very own help and advice section.
For more details about Balance Awareness Week and to get a free information pack about dizziness and balance disorders, please contact the Ménière’s Society on 01306 876883.
If you would like to speak to an Occupational Therapist at Complete Care Shop, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.
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