Balance Awareness Week

Hey everyone! I know it’s been a long time since you’ve heard from me. Life truly comes at you just as fast as the days turn It seems.

Today I want to bring attention to what this week is all about. This week (September 16-22nd) is Balance Awareness Week. This is my short PSA. The purpose of this week is to highlight vestibular (inner-ear) and brain disorders, both of which can affect a person’s balance.

And it just so happens that this week has left me experiencing my own balance issues. I would have liked to have highlighted this issue earlier in the week but the affects of vertigo rendered me almost bed-ridden for most of the week.

I can honestly say this is the most unpleasant and inconvenient thing I’ve had to deal with. The constant spinning when I look/lean a certain way feels like I’m on a never-ending Disney tea cup ride, with a hint of a roller coaster dip. UGH!!! That’s the best way I can explain how I feel. I’ve been dealing with this episode of vertigo since last week (mild case), but on Sunday evening it hit me full on about 30-40 minutes after I got home. And I’ve never had it this severe before (it’s been a few years dealing with vertigo). It’s a debilitating and scary feeling when you can’t even take 4 steps away from your bed without falling over or walking straight. I mentioned on Twitter that the one positive (and only one I might add) is that I lost weight, and one negative (among several) is that I don’t want to eat! So far I’ve lost bout 6lbs since Sunday just in case you were wondering.

Rest, sweet rest, is hard to come by these days. The “trick” is to get into a position in which the spinning does not occur. So for me, I sleep propped up on my back with my head to the right (while wearing one of those neck pillows that folks use on airplanes). It’s not pretty but it works for the most part. Hey, desperate times call for desperate measures!

Many people may not think of their balance much, but it is important to not take any “normal” function of your body for granted. Dealing with any inner-ear or brain disorder-vertigo, migraine suffers, tumors, etc.-can leave a person feeling isolated, depressed, and frightened. Make sure to listen to your body! When something feels off, take note of it (LITERALLY), and go see your doctor. I would never wish vertigo on anyone! But this issue is much more prevalent than I would have thought. So please take care of yourself and heed

the signs your body is telling you.

Until next time...