Dizziness cases doubled after the earthquake
Complaints of vertigo doubled after the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş. Experts say that the earthquake effect will continue for 1-2 years in vertigo and dizziness complaints, depending on the frequency and feeling of aftershocks.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Talih Özdaş from Adana Şehir Training and Research Hospital Ear Nose and Throat Clinic pointed out that vertigo cases started to be confused with the symptom of dizziness after the major earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş.
Özdaş said, “The event we call vertigo is that the person feels himself or his surroundings spinning as a result of the movement of the crystals in the inner ear. There is also the ‘dizziness’ symptom that is confused with this case. In the case of dizziness, the patient feels as if he/she is in a vacuum, as if the ground is sliding under his/her feet or as if he/she will feel dizzy. Especially with the big earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş and the continuous aftershocks, people constantly apply to our clinic saying ‘I have vertigo’. They are actually experiencing ‘dizziness’ symptom. When we look at these, we see that most of the complaints are stress-related, not ear or neurological.”
“WE ESTIMATE THAT THESE COMPLAINTS WILL LAST FOR 2 YEARS”
Stating that the number of vertigo attacks, sometimes lasting for a few hours and sometimes months, and cases with the symptom of ‘dizziness’ have increased by 50 percent since February when the earthquake occurred, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özdaş said:
“Dizziness is usually seen due to psychological reasons, when we are under stress, when our blood pressure or sugar drops, when we are dehydrated. It also increased after the earthquake. Because dizziness and vertigo are already triggered by anxiety. As the aftershocks continued, our people became stressed. Patients with vertigo attacks and dizziness started to apply to our clinic with an increase of 50 percent. In the literature, it is stated that the effect of the earthquake will last up to 1 to 2 years depending on the frequency and feeling of aftershocks. In other words, we anticipate that these vertigo and dizziness complaints will continue for 2 years.”
“SPEECH IMPAIRMENT AND NUMBNESS IN THE ARM ARE BRAIN-RELATED”
Explaining the treatment methods, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özdaş continued as follows:
“As a result of our examinations, if there is vertigo, we start our treatment with maneuver method or medication according to the patient’s condition. However, if it is not ear-related, we refer the person to psychiatry when we notice the symptom of dizziness. When we encounter severe symptoms such as impaired speech and numbness in the arm, we refer the patient to neurology. The patient who comes with dizziness may even be having a heart attack. If there is a blockage in the blood vessels, there may be a ‘stroke’. Patients with these complaints should definitely consult an ear, nose and throat, neurology or internal medicine specialist. After listening to the patient’s complaints, the necessary treatment is started as a result of the tests to be performed. They should never use unconscious medication, the source should definitely be investigated.”
