Dizziness Steps to Stop the Spinning
DIZZINESS Steps to Stop the Spinning
Your five-year-old didn't eat much lunch, and he's been running around all afternoon. But when he comes inside, he seems a bit unsteady. It's not until he says, ''I'm dizzy,'' that you realize what the problem is.
Since dizziness can be caused by anything from missed lunch or a virus to epilepsy or a head injury, it frequently requires a doctor's care. In some cases, however, a little common sense can put stability back into your child's world.
Time for a bookmark. Reading in a car often triggers dizziness. It's caused by a conflict between messages from the inner ear and messages from the eyes.
The solution? ''Ask your child to stop reading and look ahead at something stable on the horizon,'' says Helen Cohen, Ed.D., assistant professor of otorhinolaryngology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. The dizziness will pass. rhinolaryngology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. The dizziness will pass.
| |
| When to See the Doctor While dizziness in children is most commonly caused by a virus, it can also be a sign of serious illness. Don't hesitate to take your child to a doctor if she experiences recurring episodes of dizziness or if one episode of dizziness lasts for more than half an hour. You should also get her to the doctor as soon as possible if she feels dizzy after a fall. And call for emergency assistance immediately if she loses consciousness after complaining of dizziness. ''If your child has fallen down and banged her head--even if the dizziness only lasts a few moments--I'd take her to a doctor to rule out a concussion or any other serious damage,'' says Helen Cohen, Ed.D., assistant professor of otorhinolaryngology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. You should also check with a doctor if your child complains of ringing, pain or ''stuffiness'' anywhere in the head--particularly the ears. ''Kids get ear infections easily,'' says Sidney N. Busis, M.D., clinical professor of otolaryngology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. And a bacterial ear infection can permanently affect your child's hearing if it's not promptly treated with antibiotics. Dizziness may also be caused by an inner ear problem called nystagmus, which should be checked out by a doctor, according to Dr. Busis. The usual sign of nystagmus is a rhythmic movement of the eye characterized by slow movement in one direction, followed by quick movement in the opposite direction. If your child's dizziness is caused by nystagmus, the problem can be alleviated with special exercises, according to Dr. Busis. about a possible connection, suggests Andrea Beylen, a physical therapist at the Rehabilitation Department of Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City, California. If there is a connection, your doctor may be able to recommend a substitution. |
Lie down. If your child feels dizzy, tell him to lie down, slowly and gradually, says Sidney N. Busis, M.D., clinical professor of otolaryngology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. And suggest that he avoid sudden changes in position until the dizziness passes.
Watch the light. '' When your child's dizzy, keep a light on at night,'' adds Dr. Busis. If he wakes up feeling dizzy, he can look around the lit room to get his bearings. And if your child needs to get up during the night, a light will show him what he can grab to help keep his balance.
Cool it. If your child gets dizzy after he's been soaking in the tub, have him drink something cool and lie down, says Edwin Monsell, M.D., Ph.D., head of the Division of Otology and Neurotology (the study of ear problems and diseases) at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. Anyone will feel dizzy if they soak in a hot tub and then suddenly stand up, he explains. That's because blood rushes to our skin to try to cool the body when we're soaking. When we stand up, it takes time for normal blood flow to resume--and meanwhile we may get dizzy.
With kids, this body reaction is very pronounced. Since children are so small, their bodies can get seriously overheated in hot water. That's one reason whirlpools, hot tubs and saunas aren't recommended for young children.
Keep up the drinks and eats. Make sure your child drinks a glass of water at regular intervals throughout the day, particularly in the summer, says Dr. Monsell. Dehydration can cause dizziness because blood volume is low.
If your child hasn't eaten in a while, this can also cause dizziness--but start him on a bland drink such as apple juice or a sports drink before serving food, adds Dr. Monsell. Steer clear of foods and beverages that contain caffeine, since that stimulant can be a prime cause of dizziness.
Check the medicine cabinet. Sometimes a medication your child is taking may cause dizziness as a side effect. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about a possible connection, suggests Andrea Beylen, a physical therapist at the Rehabilitation Department of Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City, California. If there is a connection, your doctor may be able to recommend a substitution.
| When They Don't Know They're Dizzy Sometimes a child won't tell you she's dizzy because she doesn't know that dizzy is the name of what she feels. But you can identify her problem by watching for a few simple clues. ''A very young child may be feeling dizzy when she stops moving and puts her head against the bars of the crib. She's trying to stabilize things,'' says Helen Cohen, Ed.D., assistant professor of otorhinolaryngology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. ''A slightly older child who likes to read may suddenly put down her book and look around in confusion,'' Dr. Cohen notes. If you notice your child does this frequently, be sure to ask how she feels. From her description, you can usually tell whether she's dizzy or not. |
Thumbs up for spinning around. Dizziness is to be expected if your child has been spinning around or rolling down a hill. If your child experiences dizziness, you can help her overcome the problem by doing a focusing exercise. ''Tell her to sit still, stick out her arm and stare at her thumb,'' says Dr. Cohen. That should help the dizziness subside.
