On Board Health Guide

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VERTIGO

It is a false feeling of displacement of the body or surrounding objects. It is a movement "illusion", even though this does not reassure the patient, who "lives a disagreeable reality". It is a symptom and not a disease in itself. There may be a number of causes to it and it may be a warning sign of others. It is usually a symptom of equilibrium system alteration. It should be distinguished from what is generally known as "dizziness", that is, feeling of weakness or fatigue, or real sickness (sea sickness).

In case of a vertigo crisis, place the patient in an adequate and quiet environment, without giving him alcoholic beverages or letting him smoke. "Adaptation exercises" may be very useful if practised early (see chart on following page), which activate the compensatory mechanisms between the equilibrium organ, deep sensibility and visual system.

If necessary give a dimenhidrinate tablet or suppository (DRAWER 4, first aid kits A, B, and C). Treat vomiting if it happens (refer to VOMITING).

If vertigo is associated with blurred or double vision, loss of hearing, paralysis or buzzing, or other abnormal sensations, get MEDICAL ADVICE VIA RADIO .

POSTURAL AND MOVEMENT EXERCISES INDICATED
FOR PERIPHERAL VESTIBULAR VERTIGO
(ADAPTATION EXERCISES)

EXERCISES IN SUPINE DECUBITUS (LYING DOWN)

Eye movements: slow at first, slowly accelerating.

Alternately, look upwards and downwards.
Alternately, look left and right.
Convergence exercises (focus on a point which is closer each time)

Head movements: slow at first, slowly accelerating.

Alternative tilting forwards and backwards.
Alternately, twist left and right.

EXERCISES IN A SITTING POSITION

Lift and twist shoulders.
Bend forward to collect objects from the floor.
Twist head and trunk right and left.

EXERCISES IN A STRETCHED POSITION

From a seated position, stand up, at first with the eyes open and then closed.
Throw a ball or other object from one hand to the other, with a curved trajectory,
while following it with the eyes.
Throw a ball from one hand to the Siguiente below the knee.
Alternate exercises in a sitting and standing position and turning around.

MOVEMENT EXERCISES

Throw a ball in the air and grab it while running.
Walk down the corridor with the eyes open and closed.
Climb a flight of stairs up and down with the eyes open and closed, alternately.
Play a game which requires to bending over, stretching, and aiming with a ball.

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