Ear Nose and Throat Specialist Prof. Dr. Murat Haluk Özkul made statements about vertigo.
“VOMITING AND VISION IMPROVEMENT MAY EXPERIENCE”
Prof. defined vertigo and talked about its symptoms. Dr. Özkul said, “Vertigo is the feeling of spinning around oneself or around objects. “This symptom, which sometimes causes the feeling of the ground slipping under your feet, also causes nausea, vomiting, loss of balance, cold sweats, visual impairment, blood pressure fluctuations and a feeling of faintness,” he said.
“THE PEOPLE WITH HEAD TRAUMA AND MOTION SICKNESS ARE MORE”
Stating that the most common cause of vertigo is diseases of the balance organ in the inner ear, Prof. Dr. Özkul shared the following information: “Less life-threatening causes originate from the brainstem and cerebellum. Although vertigo is seen at all ages, including childhood, diseases that cause vertigo can be seen more in different ages and genders. For example, crystal drift is more common in women and middle-aged women. In young people, vertigo with or without headache is more common with migraine disease. The most common cause of vertigo is crystal drift (BPPV) disease, when calcium carbonate crystals in the structure of the inner ear balance organ break off from their places and escape into the channels of the balance organ and cause vertigo with head movements. The causes of this disease are not known for certain. However, it is known to be more common in people who have suffered head trauma (including collision sports), motion sickness, migraine headaches, inner ear tension such as Meniere, and osteoporosis in older ages.”
“PERSON EXPERIENCED WITH VERTIGO SHOULD NOT MOVE”
Prof. stated that the person experiencing vertigo should close his eyes and remain still for a while without panicking. Dr. Özkul said, “Moving and sudden head movements should not be done as they will cause a fall and increase vertigo. Meanwhile, if nausea is very disturbing, vomiting may occur. If vertigo originates from the inner ear, it may go away on its own within 1 minute to 1 hour. After the dizziness passes, although the nausea decreases, it may continue, but the patient feels better. “You should not resort to herbal drinks or pills because they are good for vertigo, but if possible, go to the emergency room of a hospital,” he said.
“THE MAY BE BLURRED OR DOUBLE VISION”
Prof. noted that it is more appropriate to transport patients who take a long time and cannot stand up by ambulance. Dr. Özkul said, “A person who experiences vertigo for the first time often rushes to the emergency room with the fear that there is something in his brain. Neurological symptoms accompanied by long-term vertigo in cerebellum or brainstem damage; Symptoms include blurred or double vision, speech impairment, inability to stand, and partial paralysis. “In emergency situations, patients in this situation need rapid intervention by taking a brain MRI,” he said.
“THE CAUSE OF SHORT-TERM VERTIGO IS CRYSTAL SHIFT”
Prof. stated that the most common cause of short-term vertigo is crystal drift. Dr. Özkul said, “One of the most common reasons for applying to the emergency room is vertigo. Although this disease is scary, it is not life-threatening. It is the only type of vertigo that can be diagnosed and treated with head maneuvers. “Treatment of crystal drift with maneuvers can often be done in a single session with great success with the Robotic Maneuver System (RMS),” he said.
“TREATMENT WAYS”
Providing information about Robotic Maneuver System treatment, Prof. Dr. Özkul said: “It is a computer-controlled, artificial intelligence-supported, fully automatic chair that can rotate 360 degrees in 3 axes. It can be applied to any patient between the ages of 15-85. It is the ideal treatment tool for patients with cervical disc herniation, spinal disorders, elderly and overweight patients. The patient is first strapped to the chair with seat belts. A pair of glasses with an infrared camera (night vision) is worn on the head (videofrenzel) to record eye movements. The doctor goes to the control screen and first performs the diagnostic maneuvers of the patient. The most important part in diagnosis is the doctor’s accurate analysis of rhythmic jerking eye movements called nystagmus, which is the only objective finding accompanying vertigo. In this way, it is possible to understand which of the 6 semicircular canals on both sides of the head the crystals are in. After a correct diagnosis, the doctor, who selects one or two of the universal treatment methods on the robot’s screen, can have the patient perform the maneuver that lowers the crystals by pressing a button. In the same session with diagnosis and treatment, the control ends in half an hour. On average, 96 percent of patients receive treatment in a single session and are sent home on foot. There is a 15 percent risk of recurrence of the disease within 1 year. However, our patients do not experience this fear because they do not use medication and the treatment is carried out easily thanks to the robot.” (UAV)