What is the placebo effect? First described in the early 1900s, the placebo effect is defined by Oxford Languages as a beneficial effect produced by an inactive drug or treatment that cannot be attributed to the properties of the intervention itself. This effect has been shown to be prevalent in many different conditions, affecting many different symptoms. The placebo effect typically has the most impact on patient-reported metrics like survey responses and symptom reporting. Signs of disease like those found on a doctor’s examination or imaging are less likely to be affected. This is also layered with a component of time. The more time that passes, the weaker the placebo effect. Placebo in Clinical Trials In practicality, the placebo effect most often gets discussed in the context of clinical trials (scientific research involving patient subjects) where new therapies like medicines and surgeries are being investigated. It is used to control […]

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VEDA - Published Mon Mar 18 2024 19:11    View Full Story...

By Karen R Mizrach A frustrating aspect of vestibular disorders is the tendency for recovery to move in an up and down pattern rather than a straight upward path. We work hard to take care of ourselves, follow medical advice, do our physical therapy exercises and avoid known triggers. Yet even when we seem to be improving, setbacks often occur. Setbacks Are Temporary This discouraging pattern can cause us to feel like we are back at the beginning of the journey, not having made any progress. But that is not the case. Vestibular Physical Therapist, Beth Wagner, likes to call these setbacks “speedbumps.” She says, “They can be of any size and any length (like an elongated speed table), but they are temporary.” Temporary setbacks are a normal part of the symptom cycle. You’re Still Past Square One A recurrence of vestibular symptoms may feel like being thrown back to […]

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VEDA - Published Fri Mar 15 2024 18:00    View Full Story...

There’s an app for that. Mobile apps focused on health and fitness help users track their physical activity, monitor their diet, set fitness goals, and access workout routines So what does an app designed for vestibular patients do? It depends. There are several options out there. Some have been developed by researchers to collect data while also supporting patients’ ability to track their symptoms, and others have been developed by patients themselves who wanted to give back to the vestibular community. This article is not an exhaustive list of apps developed with vestibular patients in mind, but it will give you some options to choose from, depending on what your goals are. Vertige Vertige was created by Vestibular Migraine and Meniere’s patient, Kristy Carabello. During her recovery journey, Kristy began tracking her symptoms and triggers on paper. “I began noticing patterns and identifying triggers that exacerbated my symptoms, such as […]

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VEDA - Published Fri Mar 15 2024 15:08    View Full Story...

By Brenda Washington, LMSW, ACSW – Macro and Micro My name is Brenda and I am a long-time volunteer with VeDA. My current position is on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. After a recent meeting I decided to do research on how patients might feel more empowered in the medical setting, particularly in the doctor’s office. When I worked as a medical social worker and psychotherapist I saw a lot and advocated many, many times on behalf of injustices. Even with my support, I found that patients and clients who had family and social support had better outcomes. While I was doing research for this article, I experienced anxiety. Thoughts that came up for me included, “We never know if we’re ever getting the BEST treatment,” and “With routine follow-up appointments there’s a concern that something may be missed.” With chronic issues I can’t stress enough the importance of […]

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VEDA - Published Wed Feb 28 2024 00:16    View Full Story...

Gut Health A Holistic Approach to Diet & Lifestyle By Emily Englert, NTP – Seattle Holistic Nutrition Incorporating a balanced diet, mindfulness practices, and personalized lifestyle changes can contribute to a healthier gut. By nurturing our gut, we pave the way for improved digestion, enhanced immunity, and overall well-being. On a personal note, nourishing my gut gave me the ability to take control in the chaos of my vestibular condition.  I learned that I have the power to support health in my body.  It wasn’t an overnight fix, but rather a way to slowly but surely move through my vestibular condition and create chronic wellness rather than feel like I was drowning in symptoms. Understanding the Gut Microbiome The gut microbiome refers to the diverse community of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, residing in the gastrointestinal tract. This complex ecosystem plays a crucial role in digestion, nutrient absorption, immune […]

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VEDA - Published Mon Feb 26 2024 21:17    View Full Story...

By Carla Alpert, NBC-HWC, FMCHC, FDN-P, Well Humans Gut health is important for your overall health, including your vestibular system. Like some of you reading this, I unfortunately learned this the hard way after my own experiences with BPPV and vestibular migraines. In this blog, I’m going to talk about a few of the reasons why gut health may be one missed healing opportunity for many of you and explain the connection between your gut and other parts of your body.  Leaky Gut Did you know that what happens in your gut doesn’t always stay in your gut? Leaky Gut (also known as Intestinal Permeability) can cause bacteria and food particles to get through the gut lining and into your bloodstream where they don’t belong.  Picture the lining of your small intestine like cheese cloth allowing water and nutrients to pass through into the bloodstream. That’s what you do want. Now […]

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VEDA - Published Mon Feb 26 2024 20:59    View Full Story...

By Sarah Conover, PT, MHS, CLCP, CHC A certified health coach is a crucial addition to your medical team when it comes to persistent dizziness and related symptoms. Consider looking for a health coach if you are struggling to navigate the healthcare system, or you have received medical treatment but continue to have symptom flares. Do you have a difficult time getting a full night’s sleep? Do you want to feel more energetic? Are you afraid of falling when you play with your kids? Is going to the grocery store overwhelming? Are you worried about losing your job? A health coach can help you find ways to cope with these daily life challenges. Why do I need a health coach? There are many benefits a health coach offers to people with chronic vestibular conditions: Big picture perspective: Living with persistent vestibular symptoms can be overwhelming. Sometimes it’s hard to know […]

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VEDA - Published Mon Feb 26 2024 19:59    View Full Story...

Eight years ago, I was diagnosed with Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease, which has caused bilateral deafness and vestibular hypofunction. It has left me deaf, off balance, dizzy, and with oscillopsia (jumping vision). I have these symptoms 24/7. Living with a vestibular disorder has been devastating, leaving me with feelings of fear, helplessness, loneliness, disappointment, and depression.  I became sad and withdrawn. I couldn’t work, drive, or complete daily activities. I couldn’t even walk. The safest place for me was to lay still in bed. I stopped moving. I even stopped dancing, something that has been important to me my entire life.  After two rounds of vestibular rehabilitation therapy, my progress was very slow.  You must continue your daily exercise and “keep  moving,” my therapist said. At home I did my exercises and slowly rode my exercise bike for movement, but it was a chore. I was still wobbly and sad. […]

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VEDA - Published Wed Feb 21 2024 18:02    View Full Story...

Jeffrey D. Sharon, MD It’s hard not to get frustrated with the current state of vestibular medicine. As anyone who has suffered from a vestibular problem will attest, there are inefficiencies and errors in the diagnosis of different vestibular ailments. One doctor might conclude you have vertigo, whereas a second diagnoses labyrinthitis, and then a third is of the opinion that you have atypical migraines. Furthermore, many treatments are unproven. Even at the best clinics in the world, patients are told to try a medication for several months and if that doesn’t work then they try a second medication, and then a third, and at some point years can go by without any forward progress. Complicating matters further, some diseases are not understood. Nobody knows what causes Meniere’s disease. How can you treat a disease that you fundamentally don’t understand? Whenever we are faced with more questions than answers, the […]

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VEDA - Published Thu Feb 15 2024 19:00    View Full Story...

Life Rebalanced Live (LRL) Conference, Past and Present Balancing Act Rehab Provides Funding for LRL VeDA would like to give a big shout out to Drs. Abbie Ross and Danielle Tolman with Balancing Act Rehabilitation for sponsoring Life Rebalanced Live (LRL) 2024. Thanks to their generous support, this year’s event will feature some of the best expert speakers in the global vestibular community, and patient panels sharing their lived experience with these debilitating disorders. History of LRL LRL was born when Danielle and VeDA’s Board of Directors attended the 2nd Annual Vestibular Disorders Conference hosted by vestibular patient, Jim Hainlen in collaboration with the University of Minnesota Department of Otolaryngology in Minneapolis, MN, September 28, 2019. “I was so inspired by the amazing information that was shared and the connections built during this one day event, I knew VeDA needed to help continue this new tradition,” says Danielle. In 2020 […]

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VEDA - Published Wed Feb 14 2024 20:41    View Full Story...