For more information on the author Fyzical Therapy & Balance Center Fort Myers, CLICK HERE.Waking up feeling dizzy can be a disorienting and scary experience, but if it happens infrequently, there is probably no cause for concern. Occasional dizziness is very common, and there are several reasons why you may feel dizzy, woozy, or off balance in the morning. However, if you frequently wake up with dizziness, it may be time to make an appointment with a doctor to rule out serious health concerns.There are several forms of dizziness, including imbalance, lightheadedness or wooziness, vertigo, and dizziness related to anxiety or fear. Vertigo is a unique type of dizziness in that it includes a spinning or rotating component. You may experience any of these forms of dizziness when you wake up.Physical therapy is an effective way to manage dizziness symptoms, regardless of the cause. The providers at FYZICAL are highly trained and have experience in helping people overcome dizziness and get their mornings back on track. Using evidence-based methods, our holistic therapies provide an effective strategy to minimize dizziness without the need for medications or surgical approaches.What is the cause of dizziness?Dizziness is not a disorder, but rather a symptom that can be caused by many things. For people who are experiencing dizziness when they wake up, dysfunction in the circulatory system or peripheral vestibular system may be the cause. Some medications can also cause morning dizziness, as can alcohol and recreational drugs. Even dehydration or low blood sugar can make you feel dizzy.To understand dizziness that occurs when you wake up, it may be helpful to understand how our bodies keep us balanced under normal circumstances and where things can go wrong.The circulatory systemWithout adequate blood flow, brain cells dont receive the fuel they need, and you will feel dizzy or lightheaded. The circulatory system plays a crucial role in maintaining normal brain function. The brain is an energy-intensive organ, using about 25% of the oxygen you breathe and about 60% of the glucose (sugar) that you eat. In some cases, there may be adequate blood flow but there is not enough oxygen or glucose to sustain brain function. Disorders like sleep apnea can prevent your brain from getting enough oxygen while you sleep, and going to bed on an empty stomach can cause low blood sugar-induced dizziness when you wake up. People with diabetes are at particular risk for low blood sugar that can lead to dizziness and pre-syncope (feeling like youre going to faint) or syncope (fainting).The vestibular systemMost of us rarely think about the ear as anything other than our hearing organ, but the ear contains one of our most important balance organs, the peripheral vestibular system. There are three section of the ear: the outer ear, which is made up of the ear lobe and the canal; the middle ear, which includes the bones of hearing and Eustachian tube, which regulates pressure; and the inner ear, which is composed of the cochlea and the peripheral vestibular system.The peripheral vestibular system also plays a role in maintaining proper blood flow. Because it senses your spatial orientation, it influences blood flow. When the brain receives signals that you have gone from lying down to standing up, for example, the cardiovascular system changes how it directs blood flow in order to accommodate your change in position.The peripheral vestibular system plays a major role in helping us maintain consistent balance. The peripheral vestibular system is housed in the inner ear, and has two important components:Otolithic organsThe otolithic organs, or otoliths, are tiny inner ear structures that sense linear motion (up/down, left/right, forward/backward) and transmit information about our spatial orientation to the brain. The otoliths are found under a sticky gelatinous membrane that contains embedded calcium carbonate crystals. Every time you move, the membrane also moves, and the embedded crystals activate inner ear hair cells that go on to send information about the speed and direction of your motion to the brain. If these hair cells are activated erroneously, the brain receives incorrect information regarding whether and how you are moving, which leads to a feeling of imbalance or dizziness.Semicircular canalsThe inner ear has three semicircular canals that are filled with fluid. When you turn your head to the left or right, tilt your head toward your shoulder, or nod up and down, the fluid moves through the canals, sending information about your rotational movements to the brain. When inner ear fluid is displaced inappropriately, you will experience the characteristic spinning sensation known as vertigo.The peripheral vestibular system of the inner ear sends information to the central vestibular system, which is located in the brain. Under normal circumstances, the brain integrates information from your peripheral vestibular system with information from other systems (visual, motor, sensory) about your movement, and you maintain balance and equilibrium. If the peripheral vestibular system is active when you arent moving, the brain receives mismatched information from the different systems, causing you to lose equilibrium.Although dizziness can be caused by central vestibular system dysfunction, the majority of cases of dizziness are caused by abnormalities in the peripheral vestibular system. Physical therapy is an evidence-based treatment strategy that can treat inner ear disorders and provide long-term improvements to balance and equilibrium.Waking up dizzy in the morningWaking up to a spinning room or without normal equilibrium is never a good way to start your day. There are a number of potential causes for waking up feeling dizzy, and many of them can be prevented with some simple lifestyle changes.DehydrationDehydration is one of the most common reasons why people are dizzy when they wake up. When you're dehydrated, you actually lose blood volume. This makes your blood pressure drop, resulting in insufficient delivery of oxygenated blood to the brain. This can make you feel dizzy when you are lying down, and the dizziness will worsen when you go from lying down to standing up.A common factor in dehydration-related dizziness in the morning is alcohol. If you woke up dizzy and nauseous or in a room that was spinning after a night of imbibing, alcohol is a likely culprit.Low blood sugarIn order to maintain normal function, the brain depends on a sugar called glucose for energy. When you eat, glucose is transported from your digestive system to your blood stream and delivered to the brain. If you skip dinner, you may experience dizziness the next morning because your blood doesnt have sufficient amounts of glucose to keep your brain working properly. Low blood glucose is also called low blood sugar or hypoglycemia.DiabetesDiabetes is a condition that affects blood glucose (sugar) levels. People with diabetes are missing an enzyme that allows glucose to get into the bloodstream, so diabetics have an increased risk for low blood sugar in the morning, which can lead to dizziness and fainting. Sleep apnea and other obstructive breathing conditionsAnything that interferes with your breathing will reduce the amount of oxygen that gets to your brain, leaving you feeling dizzy or woozy. A common complaint among people with obstructive breathing conditions is, I woke up in the middle of the night feeling dizzy. While sleep apnea is the most common type of obstructive breathing condition, others include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and asthma. Even having a common cold could interfere with normal breathing while you sleep.Orthostatic hypotensionIf your morning dizziness sets in when you first sit up or get out of bed, you may be experiencing orthostatic (or postural) hypotension. This is a condition that is caused by inadequate blood flow to the brain and occurs when people get up too quickly after they have been sitting or lying down. Dizziness or lightheadedness related to orthostatic hypotension lasts for just a second or two, so if your dizziness is persistent, there is probably something else contributing to it.MedicationsSome medications are known to cause dizziness, and you may wake up in the middle of the night or in the morning feeling lightheaded or faint. Blood pressure medications like ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and calcium-channel blockers can all cause dizziness. In addition, drug interactions may leave you feeling dizzy.Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV, is a disorder of the inner ears peripheral vestibular system. When we move, crystals in the inner ear activate tiny hair cells that send information about our movements to the brain. These are normally attached to a membrane so they cant accidentally activate hair cells. Age-related degeneration or head trauma can cause these crystals to become detached, and they activate hair cells at inappropriate times. This signals to the brain that we are moving even when were not.If you regularly experience vertigo when waking up, you may have BPPV. People with BPPV often get vertigo when they roll over in bed or turn their head. BPPV can also affect just one ear, which would cause dizziness only when you turn or roll to one side. BPPV-related vertigo lasts for 15-20 seconds, and BPPV can also cause lightheadedness, nausea and vomiting, nystagmus (rapid, involuntary eye movements), and fainting.Other causes of dizziness in the morningLabyrinthitis: This is inflammation in the inner ear that affects nerve signaling between the peripheral vestibular system and the brain. It may be caused by an ear infection or head trauma, and usually resolves within 3-6 weeks. Some people with labyrinthitis may be especially prone to dizziness after a period of lying down, especially if they sleep in a position that allows fluid to accumulate in the affected inner ear.Mnire's disease: Mnire's disease is a rare disease that is still poorly understood. It is associated with severe vertigo that can last for several hours. Other symptoms of Mnire's disease include tinnitus (ringing in one or both ears), intermittent hearing loss in one or both ears, and a sensation of fullness in the ear.Anxiety: If your dizziness always occurs on the morning of a big day, anxiety could be the cause. There are several helpful exercises that can help you control anxiety and minimize dizziness without resorting to anti-anxiety medications.When to see a doctorIn most cases, occasionally waking up feeling dizzy is not a serious cause for concern. However, if you are regularly experiencing dizziness or vertigo when you wake up, it is recommended that you make an appointment with your doctor.If your dizziness is accompanied by any of the following, seek immediate medical treatment:Chest painTrouble breathingRapid heart rateConfusionSlurred speechSevere headacheNumbness in the face, arms, or legsDouble visionOngoing vomitingHow to stop feeling dizzyFor many people, drinking plenty of water, eating a healthy diet, and making sure to get some exercise to promote blood flow are sufficient to prevent dizziness. If you are taking prescription medications, ask your doctor whether they could be causing your dizziness.One of the most effective ways to manage dizziness is physical therapy. Nearly all of the root causes of dizziness respond well to physical therapy, and providers who are experienced in treating dizziness can tailor an exercise plan to meet your needs.The experts at FYZICAL are highly trained and skilled in treating different forms of dizziness. Our holistic, whole-body approach doesn't depend on medications or surgery, and many people find that the benefits of physical therapy go beyond helping them overcome dizziness.FYZICAL offers free assessments that can help you understand your dizziness and anxiety and create a tailored exercise program that will help you manage your symptoms.

Article Submitted By: ProMedica Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation at Lely PalmsIn the final video recording I filmed of my parents together, Frank Sinatra croons on an old record player. In their senior living community residence, the music tingles my mother, Jeans ear. She asks my father, Hey Ette, lets dance. She sways to notes which have played inside her mind and body for decades. My father, tentative at first, laughs, while I record this intimate act.Fast forward to when my mother, alone without my father, takes the dance floor at a senior prom hosted by her care center. She locks arms with my husband, her son-in-law, and the two of them float along while envious residents and guests look on.We always danced in our family home. My mother always danced, prompted by music that filled a space in her heart, swinging her arms, propelling hips and feet forward. In her final months, dancing was her communication with me, with staff, and her younger self.Gordon Hempton, an acoustic ecologist and writer, ask, When I'm listening to music, do I want to dance? And when its over, has it affected me? Am I now living out those dance steps in the way I interact with people or carry myself down the path? These and many other questions are now being asked by researchers to learn about how dance lives within each one of us.Dance Movement TherapyAt a recent presentation on dementia, an older couple approached my table set up inside a senior center where the event was hosted. The husband attended a writing class there and the wife liked to dance. I have a friend who lives in a nearby senior living center, the woman shared. We visited her during one of their dances. The folks with dementia got up to dance. The others sat in the corners. We agreed those who experience cognitive loss often also lose the filter which causes embarrassment. They become present in the moment and the dance becomes muscle memory and therapy.Dance or movement therapy, according to the American Dance Therapy Association, is the psychotherapeutic use of movement to further the emotional, cognitive, physical, social, and spiritual integration of the individual.In my mothers care home, not only did they host senior proms, but the physical therapist and activities director joined residents for Friday dance parties. Tall and lithe, the therapist enticed the residents to rise from their seats and rock to the rhythms, if it was permissible. Whenever my mother recovered from her many hospitalizations, her body always wanted to join in the flow.When caring for loved ones who experience cognitive losses, we forget how dancing is a form of communication when other actions fail. It can trigger memories of happy times past, such as a wedding, a junior prom, or a quiet moment with a loved one. The loosening of the physical body opens it up to feel additional sensations. And the dancers are engaged with others in their surroundings, reducing the sense of isolation they might feel.Connecting Kids to Aging Adults through DanceWhen my son was younger, he was exposed to a program called Kindermusik. For over forty years, Kindermusik has been bringing the unparalleled benefits of music education to children and families around the world. Their curricula were designed for non-music teachers to integrate music into the programming of schools, churches, homes, ensuring every child received similar developmental benefits.Today, Kindermusik has extended its knowledgebase by developing a program called Bridges to work with seniors. Bridges is a multigenerational music and movement program brought to senior living facilities, community centers, and other organizations to connect generations. In the program, the seniors act as teachers and role models for the children by singing and dancing. The older adults are given a sense of purpose. The children gain through their interactions. And joy directors act as go-betweens between the seniors and children, encouraging the connections.As part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Library of Medicine undertook a systemic review of twelve studies on dance as it related to individuals with Alzheimer's. While their results confirm a positive effect on the participants well-being, future research focused on these patients should use a more exhaustive methodology and make a more detailed description of these kind of interventions.Despite the lack of clinical evidence, we recognize joy in the movement of our bodies. And there was never more bliss on my mothers face than when my teenaged son or my little niece arrived to take their grandmothers hand and lead her to the dance floor. Inside her spirit, her body was nimble, her connection to the present intact.Annette Januzzi Wick is a writer, speaker, and author of Ill Have Some of Yours, a journey of cookies and caregiving(Three Arch Press)and is a recipient of a 2020 NSNC award. A frequent contributor toCincinnati.com, her work has appeared in Cincinnati Magazine, nextavenue.com, Shanti Arts, 3rd Act Magazine, and others. Visit annettejwick.com to learn more.

Older people tend to have weaker teeth and a higher prevalence of oral health issues. Consequently, seniors should prioritize dental care to keep their teeth and gums in good condition, as this positively impacts overall wellness, perhaps with the help of home care services in Fort Myers, Florida.Dry mouth is a prevailing issue among the elderly, a typical adverse effect of many medications used by the elderly. This condition means caries and bacterial or fungal infections are more likely to occur in the elderly.A home care agency can be an excellent resource for seniors needing preventative dental care to avoid issues like tooth pain, gum disease, and eventual tooth loss.Seniors who take care of their teeth tend to eat more healthfully and have a greater appreciation for their food. Thats why you should let your seniors brush their teeth afterward, preferably nightly before bed, every time your seniors eat.When brushing, its best to use fluoride-containing toothpaste and a gentle toothbrush that wont cause harm to your teeth or gums.Additionally, many experts in dental hygiene support advise that the elderly use dental floss and antibacterial mouthwashes as a final step in properly cleaning their tongues. If your loved one has poor oral health and hygiene, it may be a clue that they need assistance with Nurizon At Home. Think about hiring a caregiver to come to your loved ones house to help with daily tasks like bathing, getting dressed, providing medication reminders, and more.We also offer veterans benefit support, other personal care services, and respite care in Florida. Dont hesitate to contact us at 239-789-4732 to ask questions about our services!

We understand the loss of a loved one is an extremely difficult time for you and your family. You may feel overwhelmed both emotionally and logistically, and dont know where to start. In this checklist, we have listed some action steps for you to take after a loved one passes away.  You can use this as a guide as you progress through the steps. It is important to note that some of these action items are intended for the Personal Representative named in the decedents Last Will and Testament.  Remember, the Power of Attorney is no longer valid after death.Last Rites Burial or Cremation After doing some of the more obvious things like notifying parties and arranging for care of pets and dependents, youll want to find out about existing funeral plans. Ideally, you would know your loved ones burial/cremation plans ahead of time.  Look for your loved ones existing Health Care Surrogate document and Living Will. If the person is still living, these documents authorize care decision making authority and end of life wishes. If they have passed, these same documents sometimes explicitly authorize burial or cremation authority and even if silent in the document, the named advocate under these documents are in the line of authorized persons to act for final arrangements.   If you cannot locate those documents, youll need to make some decisions like where to hold the service and whether to cremate or to bury. Gathering InformationWe suggest forwarding mail, which is important for a couple different reasons. First, you do not want the mail to be piling up at an unoccupied home, signaling to other people that the property is unattended.  Secondly, sorting through the mail is key to finding out what subscriptions, creditors and assets are out there.  Checking online accounts and going through the mail will help paint a financial picture. To forward the mail, you will need to visit the post office and put in a forwarding order. You will need to bring proof that you are the Personal Representative or the Executor.  As you begin to gather what is out there, make an actual inventory or list that shows both assets and bills/creditors. This will not only help you keep track of what is out there, but it will be extremely beneficial when meeting with a Trust/Estates attorney. An attorney will help you determine what needs to be paid now, and if a probate is needed. If a probate is needed, you will need to go a step further and figure out the date of death values of the assets. If a probate is not needed, the attorney can walk you through the Trust Administration or any other after-death steps.  Either way, try to locate the originals of the Will or Trust so that it can be reviewed with the attorney and filed with the court.Death CertificatesWe recommend ordering several certified copies of your loved ones death certificate.   This is often done by the Funeral Home.  You may need anywhere from 2-10 copies. It really depends on the number of assets your loved one had. The death certificates will be needed when claiming insurance benefits, or for opening/closing new financial accounts. To be on the safe side, we recommend ordering 10 certified copies of the short form death certificates which do not list the cause of death. However, if your loved one had any life insurance policies, you may need to order a long form showing the cause of death. Notifying the WorldAnother thing that the Funeral Home will do on your behalf is contact Social Security to notify them of your loved ones death.  If you are a spouse, you may be entitled to a death benefit from Social Security. If they were employed or receiving a retirement benefit you contact the employer to check on possible insurance or retirement benefits and to stop further pension payments. If there are death benefits available, the companies will send out the appropriate claim forms.  An attorney can assist you in completing the forms. Consider contacting a CPA to determine if a final tax return will need to be filed on the deceaseds behalf. Lastly, canceling the deceaseds drivers license and notifying the credit agencies are recommended to help prevent identity theft.We hope this checklist will get you started. It is important to note this is not an exhaustive list and it is intended to be used a general guide. For more information, please do not hesitate to contact us at 239-939-4888 and we will help you navigate through each of these steps.Written by Lance McKinney