There is a kind of dizziness called "otolithiasis"

Beauty: Doctor! Doctor! I feel dizzy~

Dr. Yao: Beauty, do you dare to move?

Beauty: I’m touched! I’m really touched!

Dr. Yao: What ?

Beauty: No no no ~ I dare not move! I feel dizzy and want to vomit if I move.

Dr. Yao: Under what circumstances does dizziness become severe?

Beautiful girl: I feel dizzy when I look up, I feel dizzy when I lower my head, I feel dizzy when I get up, I feel dizzy when I lie down to sleep, and I still feel dizzy when I turn over. I can only sleep in one position.

☝In fact, the "dizziness" here as if the world is spinning is "vertigo", which is different from the "dizziness" we usually say as feeling groggy and dizzy when walking.

Vertigo is a disorder of the body's sense of orientation or balance in spatial relationships. It is a motion illusion caused by one's own movement or changes in the external environment. (10,000 words omitted here...). In short, the body's balance and orientation functions depend on the combined effects of the vestibular system, visual system, and proprioceptive system. The vestibular system located in the ear plays a major role. In order to maintain balance and prevent us from feeling dizzy, these three systems must work "perfectly". Once any of these systems has problems, dizziness may occur.

Common diseases that cause dizziness due to problems with the vestibular system include otolithiasis (scientific name: benign paroxysmal positional vertigo), Meniere's disease, vestibular neuritis, sudden deafness with vertigo, etc.

Among them, otolithiasis is the most common symptom of vertigo. The main symptom is that when the head moves to a certain position, such as lying down or turning over, short-term paroxysmal attacks of vertigo will occur, and the head will feel dizzy.

If you experience vertigo or dizziness in the above situations, it may be the "otoconia" in the ear that is causing the problem, which we commonly call "otoconia disease."

Otolithiasis, this diagnosis, is just a common name in our clinical practice. In fact, it has a "high-sounding" name, called "benign paroxysmal positional vertigo". Therefore, from the literal meaning, we can well understand that this "vertigo" is a benign disease and will not be life-threatening like cerebral infarction or cerebral hemorrhage. It usually only occurs when the body position changes, just like the common positions introduced above; therefore, it is also called "positional vertigo"; and each dizziness usually lasts for less than 1 minute before it is relieved.

If you experience dizziness in any of the above situations, then your diagnosis of "otolith disease" can basically be confirmed.

Next, I will answer a few small puzzles~☟☟☟

Q1: Otolith = earwax?

When the doctor tells you that you have otolithiasis, many patients are often confused and their first reaction is to ask the doctor, "I often clean my ears, so why do I still have earwax?" Yes, you misunderstood what the doctor meant.

Q2: Where does this "otolith" come from? Is it a real stone?

Yes, this otolith is a real stone. Research has found that it is actually a calcium carbonate crystal, which is different from kidney stones and gallstones. It is innate and has been with us since birth. It comes from the otolith organs in our inner ear (also called utricle and saccule). Each of us has this otolith particle, which normally maintains the balance of our body. Without this otolith, our life will be very painful, because without it we will not be able to maintain normal balance function, walk, or live.

Q3: Since everyone has otoliths, why did mine fall off?

At present, the mechanism and inducing factors of otolith shedding are still unclear. Current research suggests that it may be related to the following situations: (1) fatigue and staying up late (2) peripheral circulation blood supply disorders caused by hypertension and diabetes (3) calcium deficiency caused by the decline of estrogen levels in women during menopause (4) aging of otolith organs in the elderly (5) sudden deafness (6) vestibular neuritis secondary to colds (7) ear trauma (8) long-term fixed supine sleeping position after surgery

Q4: What should I do if I have otolithiasis?

Since the fallen otolith particles are mainly calcium carbonate crystals, these calcium carbonate particles cannot be dissolved by conventional drugs. Therefore, the main treatment for otolithiasis is otolith repositioning therapy (a physical therapy method): the otolith particles that have slipped into the semicircular canals are repositioned to the utricle and saccule of the vestibule through changes in body position (adjustment of the semicircular canal angle). Through otolith repositioning therapy, most patients can achieve satisfactory treatment results; the relevant literature currently reports a success rate of 93.4%.

Q5: Where can I go to treat otolithiasis?

Come, come, the Department of Neurology on the 2nd floor of the Outpatient Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University Medical College or the Department of Neurology on the 7th floor of the 3rd Inpatient Department are dedicated to serving you, so that you can come in a daze and leave with satisfaction.