I didn’t need to read the Migraine in Australia Whitepaper by Deloitte Access Economics to know that many Australians suffer from migraines. However, if you like figures, the report, as summaried by Headache Australia, details that in 2018, 4.9 million Australians were suffering from migraine, with 71% of them being women, of whom most are […]
Prof Dr Margie Sharpe
Dizziness from swimming in cold water traced to caloric response in vestibular system
Why do many triathletes report dizziness during and after the swimming leg of a triathlon? We now know it’s due to the interaction between coldness and the vestibular system; that system in the inner ear that reports spatial data to our brains. During Balance Awareness Week, it’s timely to look at dizziness in swimmers because […]
Balance Awareness Week: Imagine living life without balance?
Close your eyes and stand on one foot. It’s hard, isn’t it? Now imagine having that same disorienting feeling on two feet, and with your eyes open. Balance is something most of us take for granted and never need to think about – until we lose it. Unlike Fiona Flamingo, who is next to me […]
BalanceBelt: Reflections on a belt that helps people with severe balance disorders
Now that some patients with Bilateral Vestibular Loss (BVL) due to the loss of the balance (vestibular) organs in both ears have trialled wearing the BalanceBelt designed to improve severe unsteadiness, it has led me to reflect on the complexities of balance. If you’ve sought professional help for a balance disorder, or done some research, […]
Loneliness and the brain: A reflection on being alone during Covid-19 and through the holiday season
I write a lot about the role of the brain in relation to dizziness and balance disorders but in the course of my research, I come across a range of interesting and helpful articles like this one about loneliness. How Being Lonely Affects Our Brains by Jarren Gan, ties together some interesting strands of research […]
Vestibular Rehabilitation under the spotlight for the International Online Vestibular Diploma
If you’re a practitioner wanting to achieve improve your clinical care of dizzy patients through better clinical protocols and guidance from the world’s top faculty in their areas of expertise, the International Online Vestibular Diploma is for you. I know because I’m one of the 50+ international speakers who will be lecturing as part of […]