“In general; Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is an inner ear disorder. A person with BPPV experiences a sudden spinning sensation whenever they move their head. BPPV isn’t a sign of a serious problem. If it doesn’t disappear on its own within six weeks, a simple in-office procedure can help ease your symptoms.”
Cleveland Clinic (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11858-benign-paroxysmal-positional-vertigo-bppv)
If one day you start the day going to work than come home feeling like a sinus infection that appears to be spreading to the ears and after going to bed several hours upon wakening I sat up on my bed finding yourself pulling to one side that you think the cause is an ear infection but it could be something else. When I was getting up and feeling dizzy but made it downstairs to eat a meal but due to the dizziness I vomited causing dizziness to increase terribly (like if sea sick or even like too much alcohol followed with vomiting and now everything’s spinning to the point you can’t get up from the ground) and got my self safely to the ground and couldn’t get up. This all happened to me one year and when going to the MD that night I was sent to the ER for being ruled out initially of a stroke or transient ischemic attack. I was aggravated and went. I than was finding out in the ERmit wasn’t a stroke or TIA, which is what I thought would be the result, but their still was a reason for it. What might this be? I was diagnosed with BPPV for severe dehydration and it took me a week through exercises and taking meclizine, also known as antivert, that took my dizziness away.
This could be an ear infection with BPPV or just BPPV itself; this abbreviation stands for BPPV-Benign Paroxsymal Posterior Vertigo (highly probable if its feeling clogged, no draining from the ear canal, no wax build up after checked with an otoscope by an ENT or Neurologist and the symptoms listed above present that I mentioned= Vertigo, Nausea; Possibly vision disturbance with lethargy) including a nystagmus (described below). This is how you feel after a concussion (with or without a nystagmus) in varying intensities depending on the impact after a blow to the head. How do these symptoms arise with no infection in the ear?
This involves the inner ear causing the brain to pick up miscommunication signals in detecting or reading what is happening going on giving the ending result of vertigo =dizziness, causing your balance to be off, which again I reenforce is due to the condition that is going on in the middle ear. It is the sensitivity detection by ear sensitivity hairs picking up what shouldn’t be there, which in turn is causing the symptoms. This can be due to inner ear particles clumped together in the ear or particles in the inner ear floating freely depending where the are located in the inner ear. We will discuss this more in detail shortly, just know these particles are called “rocks”.
If your having these symptoms this should be checked for BPPV and (I do recommend you go to MD to be evaluated first):
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is probably the most common cause of vertigo in the United States. It has been estimated that at least 20% of patients who present to the physician with vertigo have BPPV. However, because BPPV is frequently misdiagnosed, this figure may not be completely accurate and is probably an underestimation. Since BPPV can occur concomitantly with other inner ear diseases (for example, one patient may have both Ménière disease and BPPV at once), statistical analysis may be skewed toward lower numbers.
BPPV was first described by Barany in 1921. The characteristic nystagmus and vertigo associated with positioning changes were attributed at that time to the otolithic organs. In 1952, Dix and Hallpike performed the provocative positional testing named in their honor, shown below. They further defined classic nystagmus and went on to localize the pathology to the proper ear during provocation.
It deals with the inner ear.
The patient is placed in a sitting position with the head turned 45° towards the affected side and then reclined past the supine position.
BPPV is defined as an abnormal sensation of motion that is elicited by certain critical provocative positions. The provocative positions usually trigger specific eye movements (ie, nystagmus). The character and direction of the nystagmus are specific to the part of the inner ear affected and the pathophysiology.
BPPV is a complex disorder to define; because an evolution has occurred in the understanding of its pathophysiology, an evolution has also occurred in its definition. As more interest is focused on BPPV, new variations of positional vertigo have been discovered. What was previously grouped as BPPV is now subclassified by the offending semicircular canal (SCC; ie, posterior superior SCC vs lateral SCC) and, although controversial, further divided into canalithiasis and cupulolithiasis (depending on its pathophysiology).
Although some controversy exists regarding the 2 pathophysiologic mechanisms, canalithiasis and cupulolithiasis, agreement is growing that the entities actually coexist and account for different subspecies of BPPV. Canalithiasis (literally, “canal rocks”) is defined as the condition of particles residing in the canal portion of the SCCs (in contradistinction to the ampullary portion). These densities are considered to be free floating and mobile, causing vertigo by exerting a force. Conversely, cupulolithiasis (literally, “cupula rocks”) refers to densities adhered to the cupula of the crista ampullaris. Cupulolith particles reside in the ampulla of the SCCs and are not free floating.
Classic BPPV is the most common variety of BPPV. It involves the posterior SCC and is characterized by the following symptoms:
The tympanic membrane where no doctor can open that and further the problem is in your semi-circular canal and if not resolving the problem it will damage the ear.
“Mal de débarquement syndrome (MdDS) — which means, “sickness of disembarkation” — is a rare condition that makes you feel like you’re moving, even when you’re not. “Disembarkation” is a word to describe getting off of a boat or aircraft. This can cause a change in your stability or balance.
MdDS commonly occurs after boating or sea travel, though it can happen after air travel, extended land travel and even sleeping on water beds. In some cases, MdDS can occur after non-motion events (like surgery or childbirth), or for no known reason (spontaneous mal de débarquement syndrome).”
Cleveland Clinic (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24796-mal-de-debarquement-syndrome-mdds)
woman feeling rocking dizziness from mal de debarquement after cruise ship vacation
Mal de debarquement (MDD) is a rare and poorly understood disorder of the vestibular system that results in a phantom perception of self- motion typically described as rocking, bobbing or swaying. The symptoms tend to be exacerbated when a patient is not moving, for example, when sleeping or standing still.
When you head out to sea on a cruise ship, your brain and body have to get used to the constant motion. It’s called “getting your sea legs,” and it keeps you from crashing into a wall every time the ship bobs up or down.
When you get back on shore, you need time to get your land legs back. That usually happens within a few minutes or hours, but it can take up to 2 days. With mal de debarquement syndrome, though, you can’t shake the feeling that you’re still on the boat. That’s French for “sickness of disembarkment.” You feel like you’re rocking or swaying even though you’re not.
It can happen to anyone, but it’s much more common in women ages 30 to 60. It’s not clear if hormones play a role.
People who get migraines may be more likely to get it, too, but doctors aren’t sure how the two conditions are linked.
Mainly, you feel like you’re rocking, swaying, or bobbing when there’s no reason for it. You might feel unsteady and even stagger a bit.
Other symptoms include:
Your symptoms may go away when you ride in a car or train, but they’ll come back when you stop moving. And they can get worse with:
It happens most often after you’ve been out on the ocean, but riding in planes, trains, and cars can lead to it, too. It’s even been caused by water beds, elevators, walking on docks, and using virtual reality.
While almost any kind of motion can cause it, doctors don’t know what’s really behind it. In most cases, you get it after a longer trip. But there’s no tie between the length of your trip and how bad the symptoms are or how long they last.
In trying to diagnose this condition through ruling out other problems since no one test diagnoses this condition. It’s a rare condition, so it may take a few visits to figure it out. Your doctor probably will want to rule out other causes for your symptoms with things like:
If you’ve had the symptoms for more than a month and the tests don’t turn up any reason for them, your doctor may tell you that you have mal de debarquement syndrome.
It’s a hard condition to treat — no one thing works every time. It often goes away on its own within a year. That’s more common the younger you are.
A few things your doctor might recommend include:
4-Taking care of yourself. Exercise, managing stress, and getting rest may give you some relief.
There’s no sure way. If you’ve had mal de debarquement syndrome before, it’s probably best to stay away from the type of motion that brought it on. If you can’t do that, check with your doctor to see if a medication might work for you.
Some Facts on Blood:
“01 Up to 3 lives are saved by one pint of donated blood.
02. Between 8-12 pints of blood are in the body of an average adult.
03. One unit of blood is ~525 mL, which is roughly the equivalent of one pint.
04. A newborn baby has about one cup of blood in their body.
05. The average transfusion patient receives 3 units of red blood cells.
06. A, B, AB and O are the four main types of blood types. AB is the universal recipient, O negative is the universal donor.
07. Blood centers often run short of types O and B blood.“
70 Rock River Valley Blood Center (Saving lives 70 years.) – (https://www.rrvbc.org/)
Your blood carries oxygen and nutrients to all of the cells in your body. Blood cells also fight infection and control bleeding.
Most blood cells are made in your bone marrow. They are constantly being made and replaced. How long a blood cell lasts before being replaced is called its lifespan.
This information explains the different parts of your blood and their functions.
Your blood carries oxygen and nutrients to all of the cells in your body. Blood cells also fight infection and control bleeding.
Most blood cells are made in your bone marrow. They are constantly being made and replaced. How long a blood cell lasts before being replaced is called its lifespan.
Your blood is made up these 4 types of cells, lets review:
Red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to your tissues. They also bring carbon dioxide back to your lungs.
Red blood cells make up almost half of your blood. The lifespan of a red blood cell is around 120 days.
White blood cells fight infection and are an important part of your immune system. They make up a very small part of your total blood (less than 1%).
There are 3 types of white blood cells: I granulocytes, II monocytes, & III lymphocytes. Each type has an important role.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Center in NYC states “White blood cells have a wide range of lifespans, from hours to years.”.
Platelets are small parts of cells. Their main function is to control bleeding. They make up a very small part of your blood (less than 1%). The lifespan of platelets is about 9 to 12 days.
Plasma is the pale-yellow liquid part of your blood that holds all of your blood cells. It makes up a little over half of your total blood.
Plasma helps move water, nutrients, minerals, medications, and hormones throughout your body. It also carries waste products to your kidneys. Then your kidneys filter out the waste products from your blood. Plasma is made up of water, protein, lipids (fats). It carries water, fat-soluble nutrients, and other substances to and from the different organs.
Johns Hopkins Medicine
www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/facts-about-blood
This website has facts about blood, blood cells, and blood cell count.
American Red Cross
www.redcrossblood.org
The American Red Cross offers a variety of information about the different parts of blood and what blood cells do.
Stanford Children’s Health
www.stanfordchildrens.org
Stanford Children’s Health offers a variety of information about the different parts of blood and what blood cells do.
“Everyone deserves the opportunity to lead a full and healthy life. Sadly, systemic issues contribute to health disparities, including for those facing lung cancer. Individuals of color who are diagnosed with lung cancer face worse outcomes compared to white individuals living in America because they are less likely to be diagnosed early, less likely to receive surgical treatment, and more likely to not receive any treatment. Close to two-thirds of the 28 million uninsured people living in America are people of color, and research is clear that having health coverage impacts people’s medical care and ultimately their health outcomes. Addressing racial disparities in healthcare coverage is critical to addressing racial disparities in lung cancer care. Black individuals with lung cancer were 15% less likely to be diagnosed early, 19% less likely to receive surgical treatment, 11% more likely to not receive any treatment, and 16% less likely to survive five years compared to white individuals.” American Lung Association (https://www.lung.org/research/state-of-lung-cancer/racial-and-ethnic-disparities)
The rates of death by diabetes for each race and ethnicity in the United States in 2005.
Heart disease and stroke disproportionately affect African-Americans. Why? One this race is highiest in B/P&high in stroke(one main cause of stoke=high b/p).
“What sets the stage for the more aggressive and higher incidence of heart disease in African-Americans is a very high incidence of high blood pressure,” Yancy says. “This predisposes African-Americans to more heart disease, kidney disease, and stroke. This makes us focus on high blood pressure as it forces heart failure.”
Know the facts of how to get High B/P. Factors are: Obesity, High Sodium intake, Lack of Exercise, and Genetic History in the family.
Clinical Trials show blacks and whites respond differently to treatments for high blood pressure. Indeed, treatment guidelines suggest that doctors should consider different drugs based on a patient’s race.
But Yancey says that a closer look at the data shows that race tends to be a marker for more complicated high blood pressure treatment.
This ethnic group has factors for complicated B/P. Non-compliance with the Rx they should be doing and not going to follow up visits. Ignoring symptoms till they have to go to the ER. In America if you go to an ER of hospital government assisted they can’t say No we can’t take you for no insurance. Lack of having medical insurance is another factor.
Unfortunately if no insurance due to inability to afford it and can’t go to doctors for a office visit. There is help. What is available is free clinics to provide medical service to any person who can’t afford a bill due to lack of insurance with no fee. Check out freeclinics.com to find where your free clinics are available in the area you live.
Health care differences between African-Americans and white Americans.
Clinical Trials show blacks and whites respond differently to treatments for high blood pressure. Indeed, treatment guidelines suggest that doctors should consider different drugs based on a patient’s race.
But Yancey says that a closer look at the data shows that race tends to be a marker for more complicated high blood pressure treatment.
“Data suggests that all therapies do equally well — but patients at higher risk need more intensive therapy,” he says.
A similar situation exists for heart failure. A promising treatment for heart failure didn’t seem to be working — until researchers noticed that it worked much better for black patients than for white patients. A study of black patients confirmed this finding — and provided tantalizing evidence that the drug will help patients of all races with certain disease characteristics.
A 2005 report from the American Lung Association shows that black Americans suffer far more lung disease than white Americans do.
Some of the findings:
-Black Americans have more asthma than any racial or ethnic group in America. And blacks are 3 times more likely to die of asthma than the white race.
-Black Americans are 3 times more likely to suffer sarcoidosis than white Americans. The lung-scarring disease is 16 times more deadly for blacks than for whites. Black men are leading ethnic sex as smokers.
-Black American children are 3 times as likely as white American children to have sleep apnea.
-Black American babies die of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) 2.5 times as often as white American babies.
-Black American men are 50% more likely to get lung cancer than white American men. Lets know some facts, in particular Smoking:
See the image below for the percentage of black men versus white men who smoke in the USA that definitely puts you health at risk for problems.
Also your environment plays a role. Example living in Jersey City as opposed to the country puts you at a highier risk for lung cancer possibly due to the pollution content, especially if you have been living there 20 years or more as opposed to 5 years. You have to look at factors that could cause smoking (This is a whole another topic by itself).
“Patients often have the sense that they are not as much in charge of managing their diabetes as their doctor,” Nelson says. “Where I work, in various settings, there is an emphasis on patients. We say this is what your blood sugar is; this is what influences your blood sugar; you have to remember to take your meds. So as a diabetes educator I know there has to be an emphasis on patients putting out more effort to manage their own health.”
It’s no surprise that sickle cell anemia affects African-Americans far more than it does white Americans.
This, clearly, is a genetic disease that has little to do with the environment. Yet even here — with a killer disease — social and political issues come into play.
LeRoy M. Graham Jr., MD-a pediatric lung expert, serves on the American Lung Association’s board of directors, is associate clinical professor of pediatrics at Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, and serves as staff physician for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Graham says, the National Institutes of Health is changing this situation.
One reason for this change — as research into lung disease, heart disease, and diabetes shows — is the growing realization that the health black Americans who dominate this disease primarily and not a caucasian disease is a human health issue that needs to be addressed like all others. All diseases need to be addressed but obviously the highest number of population regarding diseases are looked into more to decrease the count.
“Diabetes offers a perfect model for tackling a major killer within the Black population and demonstrating the role of social determinants of health. More than 37 million Americans (about one in 10) have diabetes, and more than 90 million American adults are prediabetic. In 2018, Black/African American adults were 60% more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than whites.”
U.S. News (https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2022-02-22/black-history-month-battle-health-inequity-by-addressing-social-determinants)
The majority of Americans black or white under 67.5 have to work to have medical coverage (unless under disability), if not the majority of Americans would be rich.
Health care disparities heighten disease differences between African-Americans and white Americans.
Why?
Factor 1 – Genes definitely play a role. So does the environment in which people live, socioeconomic status, says Clyde W. Yancy, MD, associate dean of clinical affairs and medical director for heart failure/transplantation at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
Living in a low socioeconomic environment puts you at risk to eating fast foods or deli food (especially in the cities) and increasing, over long term eating fast foods, causing disease (DM, Obesity, Heart Disease and could go on).
Factor 2 – Another reason is that a higher percentage of black Americans than white Americans live close to toxic waste dumps — and to the factories that produce this waste.
Addressing socioeconomic groups first, Dr. Yancy says that all humans have the same physiology, are vulnerable to the same illnesses, and respond to the same medicines. Naturally, diseases and responses to treatment do vary from person to person. But, he says, there are unique issues that affect black Americans.
Like Yancy, LeRoy M. Graham Jr., MD, says the time is ripe for Americans to come to grips with these issues. Graham, a pediatric lung expert, serves on the American Lung Association’s board of directors, is associate clinical professor of pediatrics at Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, and serves as staff physician for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
“I just think we as physicians need to get more impassioned,” Graham tells WebMD. “There are health disparities. There are things that may have more sinister origins in institutionalized racism. But we as doctors need to spend more time recognizing these disparities and addressing them — together with our patients — on a very individual level.”
A 2005 report from the American Lung Association shows that black Americans suffer far more lung disease than white Americans do.
Some of the findings:
“The environment is involved, and there is potential genetic susceptibility — but we also have to talk about the fact that African-Americans’ social and economic status lags behind that of Caucasians,” Graham says. “And low socioeconomic status is linked to more disease.”
Of course these 2 factors put you at risk for disease, but you want to live in a better environment do your research. Some may say it due to blacks being treated poorly or the word “racism”. Is this the case, No not at all. You need the facts why you blacks are highier in living in a toxic or low socioeconomic group. One, that is where they can afford and decide to live their. Two is because they feel they can not or they decide not to move due to personal reasons like lack to apply self to get in a better environment (whether it be due to fear, lack of knowing their success in the move/challenge so they don’t want to take the chance or not wanting change and decide to stay in that toxic or low socio-economic area. No one puts a magnum 45 to anyone’s head telling them they have to stay in these areas. In America you can live where you want. So its up to the individual with the family having the will to make the move in their life to be less exposed to areas poor for you health. Its up to them to research areas less expensive or better enviroment exposure areas in America; no one else is going to do that for them or any one else. Than there are those that simply don’t mind living in areas like toxic or low socioeconomic exposed but many don’t understand that thinking. The risk is that individual and their family put themselves at risk for a higher chance of getting these diseases like lung cancer, heart disease, etc… Make the move and get out of those places and live a better quality of life for you and all in your family. Its all up to you to make the move. Keep in mind disease is not just environmental related. You need to look at all factors like genetic, the diet you are on, how active you are; its not just one factor in most cases. You have to take a holistic approach on seeing what diseases you could be exposed to and why. Don’t wait till symptoms start finding out its possibly too late. Think PREVENTION over treatment. Its your life and up to you!
Part II tomorrow
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