PITTSBURGH, PA - Medical device manufacturer Neuro Kinetics, Inc. (NKI) (www.neuro-kinetics.com) said today that it has licensed rights to patented diagnostic software developed at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) (www.ohsu.edu) that enables medical researchers to perform Pulse-Step-Sine Rotation tests to better understand vestibular system abnormalities.
by Michelle Hogan
In the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings, healthcare professionals at area hospitals are diagnosing familiar types of hearing losses in an unfamiliar and remarkable patient population.
“It's not something that you normally would see in the practice I have, which is all elective surgery and patients who have conditions that are not caused by trauma in general, and I've never worked in the military, so it's definitely a new experience for many of us,” said Daniel J. Lee, MD, an ear surgeon at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH). “It's been a privilege to care for these wonderful patients.”
Change might be coming, but it is coming slowly in terms of reducing sodium levels in processed foods. A new study published today showed that while the sodium content of processed foods declined from 2005 to 2011, the overall reduction was just 3.5%[1]. Restaurants, on the other hand, fared even worse, with researchers reporting that sodium levels actually increased by 2.6% over the same six-year period.
The National Council on Aging reports that falling is the most common injury that leads to death in older Americans. Falling threatens a senior’s safety and independence. One-third of Americans aged 65+ falls each year. Falling, with or without an injury, has a significant impact on quality of life. A growing number of older adults are afraid of falling, so they limit their activities and social engagements to prevent this. Avoiding activities and social functions can contribute to depression, feelings of helplessness and physical decline.
By Susan Bloom
In 1992, 56-year-old Middletown resident Michael Spratford had surgery to remove a malignant brain tumor. But while that problem is long behind him, the tumor left some lingering effects in its wake.
“Ever since the surgery, I’ve had problems with feelings of dizziness. I always feel like I’m falling forward and that I have to steady myself,” he said of a condition that led to his permanent disability from work as well as a string of visits to different neurologists. The medications they prescribed delivered limited success.
But since undergoing specialized therapy for his balance disorder at Crest Physical Therapy, “I’ve started doing things I wasn’t able to do in 21 years,” Spratford said.
Some reactions to medications seem so inconsequential that doctors rarely mention them. Dizziness is just such a side effect.
On the surface, it seems like a minor problem. This might be because it's so common. Hundreds of frequently prescribed medications cause dizziness or vertigo. As the saying goes, familiarity breeds contempt.
by Stephanie Nerissa White
Throughout the course of his life, Dr. John Shea Jr. has made major historical breakthroughs and advancements in medicine. Recently, Shea donated 406 papers, including more than 300 published articles, to the Memphis Public Library’s Memphis Room that reflect the breadth of his work and perfection of his craft along the way. The library is thrilled to have his entire professional work — papers he has written that document and demonstrate the legacy of a man whose work has revolutionized modern medicine.
By Gael Hannan
The fruits of advocacy are both bitter and sweet. You win some, you lose some.
Sometimes you advocate your little heart out (I need captioning! The music’s too loud!), but nothing changes. The winds of change hardly stir the leaves. It can drive an impatient advocate crazy.
By Genevra Pittman
Using a magnet to generate an electrical current in areas of the brain that control hearing does not seem to improve ringing in the ears, a new study suggests.
On The Level is VEDA's quarterly newsletter publication, featuring personal stories, research updates, tips and tools on how to cope with a vestibular disorder, news and updates, and more.
