Of all the evils blamed on computers, I found a new one. Computers literally make me sick.
You may well ask if this is what I mean by “ditzy” in the column title.
Probably. What I’m saying is I’ve joined the ranks of people living with vertigo.
My case began around Thanksgiving with stomach-flu symptoms. I blamed the busy holiday season. The strange thing was, I felt nauseated (and worse) only after being on the computer.
Seemed a bit weird. But after several visits, the doctor figured that my stomach reactions were caused by an inner ear problem, and several simple tests proved it so. As I understand it, little calcium deposits strayed from one part of my inner ear to another, where they shouldn’t be, causing dizziness and, in my case, upsetting my stomach. Exercises can help, but there’s no guarantee the condition won’t return.
The brightness, moving symbols and icons of computer screens affect my inner ear, but fluorescent lights also do me in. If you see me at the grocery store and wonder why I’m wearing a visor cap and hiding behind huge dark sunglasses, blame it on the fluorescent lights. Yup.
I can’t really complain. My situation is improving and thanks to conventional as well as homeopathic treatments, I’m getting the problem under control.
The condition is called Benign Situational Vertigo. Right now, I can hear some of you saying, “Yes! Cousin Gertie has that!”
Because when I mention this to people they invariably know someone who had or has this vertigo. I’m in good company. My daughter and a neighbor have vertigo problems. A friend reminded me of his experiences several years ago. And a son of a friend finished the treatment not long ago. I’m beginning to wonder if there’s anyone around who doesn’t have a friend or relative with Benign Situational Vertigo.
The ultimate shocker came last Friday night as I watched a TV fave, Blue Bloods. A character explains why he’d been unable to qualify for the New York Police Department.
“I have a condition known as Benign Situational Vertigo,” he said.
“See!” I pointed out to Dick. “I’m hip!”
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