The Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA) & Unfixed Media
35 episodes
4 days ago
In this episode of the ICU Podcast, we’re diving into the concept of pacing—a vital self-management strategy for people living with vestibular disorders. When dizziness, vertigo, brain fog, and fatigue are part of your daily reality, even routine activities can become overwhelming. We’ll explore how pacing helps individuals with vestibular dysfunction conserve energy, manage sensory overload, and create a more predictable rhythm in an often unpredictable life. Pacing isn’t about giving up—it’...
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In this episode of the ICU Podcast, we’re diving into the concept of pacing—a vital self-management strategy for people living with vestibular disorders. When dizziness, vertigo, brain fog, and fatigue are part of your daily reality, even routine activities can become overwhelming. We’ll explore how pacing helps individuals with vestibular dysfunction conserve energy, manage sensory overload, and create a more predictable rhythm in an often unpredictable life. Pacing isn’t about giving up—it’...
In this episode of the ICU Podcast, we’re diving into the concept of pacing—a vital self-management strategy for people living with vestibular disorders. When dizziness, vertigo, brain fog, and fatigue are part of your daily reality, even routine activities can become overwhelming. We’ll explore how pacing helps individuals with vestibular dysfunction conserve energy, manage sensory overload, and create a more predictable rhythm in an often unpredictable life. Pacing isn’t about giving up—it’...
In this episode of the ICU Podcast, we’ll discuss how the brain interacts with the body and the specialized type of healthcare provider who studies this interaction. Chiropractic neurology, also known as functional neurology, is a specialty that branches from the traditional chiropractic methods. You might think of a conventional chiropractor as someone who performs manual adjustments on the neck and spine. Chiropractic neurologists aim to optimize neurological functions by leveraging the con...
In today’s ICU episode, we’re exploring an important and often overlooked topic: how menopause can impact people living with a vestibular disorder. Hormonal changes during menopause can affect the inner ear and brain function, often intensifying symptoms like dizziness, imbalance, brain fog, and migraines. For those already managing a vestibular condition, this transition can bring new challenges — but also new opportunities for understanding and support. In this episode, we’ll dive into the ...
Welcome to the ICU podcast, where we illuminate invisible chronic illnesses and the people who live with them. In this episode, we’re spotlighting Balance Awareness Week, an annual event hosted by the Vestibular Disorders Association each September. This global campaign raises awareness about the impact of vestibular disorders—conditions that affect balance, dizziness, and spatial orientation—and connects patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals through education and advocacy. In th...
In this episode, we’re diving into a crucial yet often overlooked part of vestibular recovery: sleep. If you’re dealing with vestibular dysfunction, getting high-quality sleep isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a vital part of healing. When you're well-rested, your body is better equipped to handle treatment and manage symptoms. On the flip side, sleep deprivation can actually trigger or worsen dizziness, imbalance, and other vestibular issues. In this episode, we’ll explore how developing strong...
In this episode we explore the power of storytelling and the profound impact it can have on making sense of our lives. Our guests are a memoir expert and our very own co-host, Kimberly Warner. You don’t have to consider yourself a writer to gain something valuable from this conversation. We’ll delve into the stories that shape us, how we find meaning in them, and the transformative potential of sharing these stories with others. Kimberly Warner is a film director, producer, author, and a medi...
Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness. That’s a mouthful! No wonder we call it PPPD! This relatively new vestibular diagnosis helps explain why some people continue to experience vestibular symptoms when test results are normal. PPPD typically starts shortly after an event that causes acute vertigo, dizziness, or some other disruption of balance, but it may also occur for unknown reasons. PPPD causes dizziness without vertigo, and fluctuating unsteadiness provoked by environmental or socia...
Did you know that vestibular disorders affect children as well as adults? There are increasing reports of vestibular deficits in children. One study suggests that as many as 1 in 5 children in the United States have problems with dizziness or balance. Pediatric vestibular disorders result in vertigo, gaze instability, delayed motor development, and problems with reading. These symptoms are difficult for anyone to cope with, but are especially challenging for children and their families. Pedia...
In today’s episode of the ICU Podcast, we’re going to talk about brain fog. It kind of sounds like some sort of weather pattern. What is brain fog, and why do so many vestibular patients experience it? Some people describe it as forgetfulness, confusion, a lack of focus, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, or just a vague sense of blurry thinking, like your head is in the clouds. When the brain is dedicating a great deal of energy to maintaining equilibrium and staying steady, activ...
For many people who have a vestibular disorder, a trip to the grocery store can turn into a battle with dizziness. The bright lights, rows of shelves, patterns on the floor, and crowds of people can trigger symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and light-headedness. Bending down or turning your head to scan for the items you need. All this can take a lot of energy to navigate. Visually induced dizziness is an umbrella term for a group of symptoms. It can also be referred to as visual vertigo, s...
In this episode we’re going to talk about silence. The silence that happens when you lose your hearing. Whether it comes on all of a sudden or gradually, losing your hearing is a life changer. It starts when you have to ask your friends and family to repeat what they just said. Eventually you stop asking, and you begin to feel separate, apart, not included in the conversation. Although there is no cure for hearing loss, fortunately, there are very effective tools and treatments that can help ...
In this episode of the ICU Podcast we’re going to talk about what happens when we lose function in our inner ear completely, when the vestibular system on both your right and your left sides is not working. Bilateral vestibular loss, also called hypofunction, can be devastating. It results in severe difficulty maintaining balance, especially when walking in the dark or on uneven surfaces, and a decrease in your ability to see clearly when moving your head. This can lead to an increased risk o...
The year end holidays are probably the busiest time of year for social events. Family gatherings and work parties, special church services, and cocktail parties with friends. These are meant to be fun and festive, a time to eat, drink, and be merry. But events can often be overwhelming for people with vestibular disorders, with bright lights and lots of people talking loudly and all at once. How can you take part in the joy of the season while also taking care of yourself? Today we’re going t...
Living with and supporting someone with a chronic illness can be challenging. First off, we'd like to give a big shout out to all the spouses, parents, friends, and other “care partners” out there who selflessly adapt their lives around the restrictions imposed by their loved one’s vestibular illness. Aborted family events, staying home instead of going out for dinner and a movie, and lots of medical appointments are just some of the complications you might face. On top of that, there is the ...
Mal de Debarquement Syndrome is a central vestibular disorder that typically arises following exposure to passive motion (i.e. boat, airplane, automobile, train, etc.). The characteristic symptom of MdDS is a constant sensation of rocking, swaying, and/or bobbing. On this episode of the ICU - "I See You" podcast, we connect with one of the leading researchers in MdDS and an MdDS patient who runs a support group! This podcast is a co-production of the Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA) a...
Traveling with a vestibular illness can feel impossible and problematic. Obstacles like rapid altitude changes, visual disturbances, patterned airport carpets, and passive motion can amplify symptoms. Many people with vestibular dysfunction need accommodations or restrictions to prevent symptoms, attacks, or flare-ups. Having a vestibular disorder should not prevent someone from traveling. On this episode of the ICU - "I See You" podcast, we talk with two vestibular patients who are also prof...
Devices—can’t live with them, can’t live without them. When I was in the first two years of my vestibular disorder I remember longing to turn back the clock to the 1800’s. Televisions, computer screens, even my phone sent my nervous system reeling so it took me years to return to modern communication. And because I wasn’t connecting digitally during that time, I had no idea others experienced the same problem as me and became very isolated. When we are symptomatic, trying to scroll through an...
As you know, dealing with vestibular disorders can take a toll on a person’s mental well-being. Feelings of stress, sadness, and uncertainty about the future are common, and these emotional responses can manifest as anxiety. Anxiety and vestibular symptoms can create a vicious cycle where one exacerbates the other, and it’s ever so hard to break that cycle. Addressing anxiety in people with vestibular dysfunction often involves a multifaceted approach that may include vestibular rehabilitatio...
Caring for oneself with a vestibular disorder is not easy—add infants, children and teens into the mix and the spectrum of experience can span from feeling downright impossible to uniquely rewarding. In honor of Mother’s Day this month and our community of mothers with vestibular disorders, this episode of the ICU - "I See You" podcast dives into the multi-layered experiences of mothering “dizzy.” We are joined by vestibular patients and mothers, Kayla McCain and Marissa Aldrete to disc...
You never thought it would happen. You thought you would work until retirement or beyond, but then along came your vestibular disorder. Now, focusing on a computer screen is a challenge, you can’t drive, walking is a safety hazard, and your concentration is not what it used to be. Getting through a workday is exhausting and frustrating as you struggle to complete tasks that used to be easy for you. Many people who suffer from chronic vestibular disorders find it difficult to continue working....
In this episode of the ICU Podcast, we’re diving into the concept of pacing—a vital self-management strategy for people living with vestibular disorders. When dizziness, vertigo, brain fog, and fatigue are part of your daily reality, even routine activities can become overwhelming. We’ll explore how pacing helps individuals with vestibular dysfunction conserve energy, manage sensory overload, and create a more predictable rhythm in an often unpredictable life. Pacing isn’t about giving up—it’...
