To listen: copy and paste into Google Translate, click
the "speaker" icon.
That number refers to signatures collected for the WHO
petition Vestibular patients for
'smarter doctors' and 'better patient care'.
If you haven't seen it yet, check the link at the bottom of this post,
click to sign and then share it! First
read (or listen :-) ) to this, because I want to tell you why this petition is
so important.
Despite the limitations I
have, in a way, I'm one of the lucky ones.
I "only" had to wait not quite two years for my complete
diagnoses. I found the correct
treatment, and am able to manage my disorders.
But I know that there are literally millions of people out there who
DON'T have their diagnoses yet. They
don't know what's wrong with them, which can be terrifying, and makes it very
difficult to know what to do.
We need more medical
professionals with proper training in vestibular disorders. Vertigo and dizziness are symptoms of
disorders that can be very difficult to diagnose, but not impossible. Accurate diagnosis is possible when the
professional understands the basics of ALL the components involved - inner ear,
proprioceptors, brain and eyes - and can (and will) make referrals when it is
warranted.
An ENT needs to know that
there is more to balance than the inner ear.
An optometrist or ophthalmologist needs to know that balance problems
can result when there are functional, neurological vision problems (it's NOT
just about acuity and disease). Brain
injury from concussion can result in treatable balance problems. ER doctors need to know what to look for when
someone comes in with a severe case of vertigo, a common reason for visits to
the ER. The list goes on.
The key is early, proper
detection with appropriate follow up care.
The sensory system of balance is not something to be ignored. The common diagnosis of BPPV occasionally
goes away on its' own, but frequently does not, and requires proper
treatment. And doctors need to know what
to look for, because there often is something else going on other than
BPPV. Accurate, quick diagnosis matters,
because balance matters. Problems that
people report are real, and medical professionals need to know what to look
for, and what to recommend.
So as Balance Awareness
Week approaches, and you want to be a part of working for positive change, please
look at the petition. Whether you have a balance disorder, or
someone you care about does. Sign it - just
click the link, and click to sign! Then share it - e-mail it, post it on whatever
social media you use. Each and every
signature counts, so help us spread the word, and thank you for your support!
UPDATE: we're over 900 signatures!! Thank you - keep them coming in!!
UPDATE: we're over 900 signatures!! Thank you - keep them coming in!!
"Goal
We aim to give vestibular / neurovestibular patients a better chance for swift and accurate diagnosis, a cure or appropriate treatment. We ask for a worldwide agreement on education of medical students, further training for existing specialists and the establishment of medical guidelines regarding vestibular conditions / disorders."
We aim to give vestibular / neurovestibular patients a better chance for swift and accurate diagnosis, a cure or appropriate treatment. We ask for a worldwide agreement on education of medical students, further training for existing specialists and the establishment of medical guidelines regarding vestibular conditions / disorders."
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ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your knowledge. God bless you.
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Great post. Thanks for sharing!!!! Greetings from Venezuela.