Do you always feel dizzy and lightheaded, maybe you think it's just because you don't have a good rest or a headache, but there's still such a big problem that may be lurking in your body. In this wonderful little universe of the human body, there is a little-known corner, which is inconspicuous, but closely related to our daily life - that is our inner ear. Today, we will talk about a small problem that may make you “spin around” - urolithiasis.
The inner ear is like a miniature version of an amusement park, with an area called the “vestibule” that serves as the amusement park's merry-go-round and roller coaster. In this area, there are a bunch of “rocks” - not real rocks, but tiny structures called otoliths. These “stones” are held in place by a special gelatinous substance, and together with the surrounding nerve cells, they form a sophisticated navigation system that helps us perceive our body's movements and spatial position. Sometimes, however, these “stones” escape for various reasons - they fall out of their original position and enter the semicircular canal (a fluid-filled tube) in the inner ear. (a tube filled with fluid) in the inner ear. It's like a merry-go-round in an amusement park that suddenly goes out of control, children are thrown onto the roller coaster, and the whole amusement park becomes a chaotic mess. As the “rocks” move through the semicircular canals, they touch the surrounding nerve cells and trigger a series of electrical signals. These signals are sent to the brain, which mistakes the rapid movement of the body for a feeling of vertigo. The sensation is like the world is spinning, making it impossible to stay on one's feet, and is even accompanied by symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.
So why do these “little stones” suddenly escape? Ageing is a factor that you can't imagine. With age, the structure and function of the inner ear will gradually deteriorate, and the otoliths will not be firmly fixed and will easily fall off. Alternatively, violent head impact or vibration may cause the otoliths to loosen or fall out. Of course, if you are chronically fatigued, sleep-deprived, and stressed, factors such as otoliths may also induce otolithiasis.
Although the name “otolithiasis” sounds like a mysterious spell, don't worry, it is actually like a mischievous “little devil” in the inner ear. This “little devil” may get up to some mischief from time to time and make you feel dizzy, but fortunately, it is usually a “self-limiting” guy. The “inner ear imp” is like a child who likes to play pranks and surprise you from time to time. However, over time, this “little devil” grows up and becomes more sensible. Similarly, most people with urolithiasis find that after a few episodes, the symptoms of dizziness and nausea become tamed and become more docile, or even disappear completely.
Of course, if you are currently being pestered by this “inner ear imp”, the following suggestions may help you cope with it better:
1. When you are being pestered by this “inner ear imp”, try to stay calm even if you start to feel a strong sense of vertigo because excessive panic can aggravate the symptoms.
- If you've been having bad habits lately, staying up late at night, or if you're feeling stressed, it's time to stop and take a break.
The inner ear is like a well-designed “mini-amusement park” in which various facilities coexist harmoniously to provide us with stable spatial perception. However, sometimes the “little rocks” - the otoliths - in the amusement park can, for some reason, escape, causing chaos, dizziness, and discomfort! But don't worry. But don't worry, it doesn't mean the park is closed. First and foremost, staying calm is key. Just like in an amusement park, we must not panic, but calmly find a solution. We also need to adjust our habits. It's like making new rules of operation for the amusement park to make it more stable and organized. Maintaining a routine, avoiding overexertion and stress, and eating a healthy diet will make our “mini amusement park” healthier and more vibrant. We can easily cope with the problem of “small stones escaping from the inner ear”. Let's guard this “mini amusement park” together.
