Vestibular Dysfunction

Okay, so last Thursday, I had my monthly checkup with my doctor and, after complaining relentlessly about incessant dizziness, migraine attacks, and vomitting problems, I was diagnosed with a condition called Vestibular Dysfunction. My doctor simplified it further by defining it as "vertigo coupled with multiple migraines" - or so it was written on my medical certificate. It was supposedly hereditary, which makes sense for me because my Mom and sister are also patients.

To understand this condition a lot better, my best friend went out of her way to do some research on it, and this is what she found:

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What is Vestibular Dysfunction?

Vestibular dysfunction is caused by dysfunction of the inner ear. The inner ear plays an important role in maintaining the body’s balance and sense of equilibrium. When the inner ear malfunctions, persistent dizziness and hearing loss are more likely to occur. Vestibular dysfunction also significantly increases the risk of falling due to balance related issues. Experts believe that many of the falls experienced by the elderly are due to balance problems related to vestibular dysfunction.

Does Vestibular Dysfunction Always Cause Persistent Dizziness and Hearing Problems?

In a study published in Family Practice News, researchers found after testing a group of people for vestibular function, some participants had this condition despite experiencing no dizziness. This group was still at a markedly increased risk of falling. Persistent dizziness isn’t always present with vestibular dysfunction, but in many cases it is.

How is This Condition Detected?

Any person with persistent dizziness and hearing loss needs screening for vestibular dysfunction. Some doctors believe that anyone over the age of forty should be routinely tested. Screening is done through a series of balance tests to check for unsteadiness or other irregularities in balance. Some doctors don’t routinely perform these tests because they require specialized knowledge and training.

How is Vestibular Dysfunction Treated?

The persistent dizziness and balance problems associated with vestibular dysfunction can often be corrected with special balance exercises performed under the guidance of a physical therapist. Once mastered, they can then be carried out regularly at home until the incorrect signals sent by the malfunctioning inner ear to the brain can be compensated for. This usually corrects the persistent dizziness and reduces the risk of falling.

The Bottom Line?

Anyone who has persistent dizziness and hearing loss or any problems with balance should ask their doctor about screening for vestibular dysfunction.

Click here for source.

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I thought it worthy to share this article because I'm 21 years old, and it's sad to have to live my life everyday worrying whether or not I'll fall today or tomorrow and asking myself if I have what it takes to get up after falling - literally.

So friends, do me and yourself a favor by examining your body and affirming if it suffers from any of the symptoms given above. And if it comes out positive, then an appointment with your doctor is needed - and that's non-negotiable.

Sleepyhead

I'm writing this entry just to plain wonder about one issue that's always been one of the banes of my life in the span of my lifetime: SLEEP.

I don't get enough sleep, and I'm sure I'm not the only one in the world who has the same problem. No matter how hard I try to compensate for the loss of sleep I experience in one day by sleeping in the following day, I still feel sleepy. EXTREMELY sleepy. That wouldn't be a problem at all if I had no life to live by, and I could have the choice to slack off all day long, but that ain't gonna happen BECAUSE I HAVE A LIFE. And it kills me everyday to skip a minute of it just to have some sleep.

I'm also writing this because I woke up today at 2:00 p.m., like I usually do on a no-class day, all ready to hit my errands, when I had to stall myself because I wanted so much to fall right back to bed and miss what's supposed to be another blessed day in my life. And I just want the world to know that I don't like being this way - this is totally against my will.

The Next Housemate

So. I bet for years now, you’ve all been aware about this hip international reality show, Big Brother – and you didn’t even tell me about it. How thoughtful. Just imagine how big of an ignoramus I looked like when, for the first time, I got to watch a live opening of the show’s latest season in the country, “Pinoy Big Brother Double Up” last October. I had to endure a week’s worth of endless teasing from my dorm mates, who are now convinced that I come from planet Pluto. As if it wasn’t enough that I had no idea what TV shows are on these days. But I can explain: they’re all into ABS-CBN shows, while I stand by my loyalty to Ate Reg (as in Regine Velasquez) by painstakingly patronizing the other TV station, GMA. Too bad she doesn’t have a current soap, which is why I’m being successfully turned into a Kapamilya (but don’t worry Ate Reg, I’ll always love ya).

Heniway, before my babbling gets too carried away like it always does, I’m actually here to talk about PBB. So. Whaddya think about it? Would you want to be a housemate and have the rest of the world pry on what’s supposed to be your private life? Would you attempt to be friends with people you barely know or don’t like at all? Would you uphold the rules and regulations set by Big Brother himself or would you try to see how many of them you could actually break and still get away with? Would you cry like a baby in front of the whole nation when you get nominated for eviction? And, most importantly, would you do all these for a million bucks, a house and lot, numerous gadgets, endorsement deals, and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to become a star? I TOTALLY WOULD.

One of my dorm mates and I are always talking about how we want to live inside the BB house, and how we would bring fun and chaos to the world of television – in a cool, rockstar way, of course. Which is why I came up with a list of reasons why I think I’ll make a stellar housemate:

1. I’m excellent at pretend socializing. You might think I like you when I really DON’T. I’d rather you weren’t my housemate, but since you’re here and I’m here, there’s not much I can do now, is there?!

2. I give some of the best hugs in the world, precisely because I like to hug. So you can come to me when you feel like crying and need someone to hug the life out of you. Haha, kidding. But really, I’ll help you feel better. And it helps that I'm always carrying around a pack of tissues.

3. I don’t have any weird habits – at least not to my knowledge. I don’t snore or talk in my sleep, but I do make purring noises, which I’ve been told sound pretty sexy (hahaha). Oh, but I do have a lot of allergies. I don't worry about you not liking me because of them, though, 'cause I handle them with subtlety. Plus, people say my sniffing has actually become quite endearing to their ears – ONCE you get used to it.

4. I have OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder), which sometimes pushes me to clean and organize everything from dusk ‘til dawn OR to become incredibly sloppy and messy. It depends on what my brain tells me to do, but the surprise is worth watching out for.

5. I love to experiment when it comes to cooking, and most of the time, I do an awesome job at it. I’m especially good at making desserts, which means I’ll keep you high on sugar everyday. Trust me, you’ll need the energy.

6. To my girl housemates, I think you’ll like me ‘cause I am every bit a girl: I love clothes, I love shoes, I love bags, I love accessories, I read fashion magazines, I have a sturdy collection of makeup, I like dressing up, I adore flowers, I live for musicals, and there’s nothing I like better than a healthy dose of the latest chismis to brighten up my day. But not to worry now; I don’t like too much pink either.

7. To my guy housemates, fear not because even though I’m such a girly girl, I could also easily be one of the boys. I’ll work out with you (‘course, I’ll need help with the equipment), I’ll do several laps on the pool with you, I’ll play any kind of game you want, I’ll even wrestle with you – just keep your hands in the safe zones, and we won’t have a problem. I especially feel that it’s easier to open up to guys because you listen. Don't you?

8. I sing. I’ll entertain you everyday IF you want to be entertained. If not, I’ll still sing. There’s nothing you could do about it; it’s in my blood.

9. I will rock your world and the outside world (by this, I mean the viewers) with my mood swings. Do not fret; when I’m not in the mood, I usually just keep to myself, unless you’ll do something to provoke the beast within. And when I’m happy, I’m REALLY REALLY REALLY HAPPY. I’ll put sunshine all over you.

10. Even though I MAY be a prude at times, I’m pretty sneaky; I still know how to have fun. If you know what I mean. So join me and let’s live in paradise. *Wink*

I kept the list to a 10 so I can still revel in what’s left of my humility (hahaha). So. Think you’d want me to be YOUR housemate? First, show ME a list of YOUR reasons. :) In the meantime, Big Brother, could you be a dear and sign me up for the next season? PRETTY PLEASE? :)

How Paranormal is the Activity?

If you ask people whether I get scared easily, they'd probably say no and be right about it. I mean, sure I scream at the slightest touch of a cat's tail or at the sight of a creeping cockroach or a bulging bullfrog, but when it comes to the idea of encountering paranormal activities, I'm pretty steady. I'm not saying I don't shiver at the thought of it - of course I do, I'm not crazy. I guess I just really have enough faith to shield me from such fears. This faith enables me to rent a dorm room without a roommate and sleep alone in the dark. (But I am extremely frightened of serial killers, robbers, and rapists; just the mere mention of those terms are enough to scare the hell out of me. Oh, and blood.)

So anyway, why am I saying all this? See the poster below, and imagine how freaked out I am - me, who's supposedly "tough and sleeps-alone-in-the-dark-while-fighting-insomnia-at-3-ish-in-the-morning." Could you imagine? 'cause I can't. And wouldn't dare.

(Click to enlarge photo)

Paranormal Activity, an independent horror film by Oren Peli, was first premiered in 2007 at Screamfest Film Festival in the USA, and was released nationwide in 2009. It tells the story of a young couple, "engaged to be engaged," who are being haunted by a ghost in their suburban home in San Diego. To capture evidence, the boyfriend buys a video camera, and starts a three-week long project. The events he records reveal so many strange activities that could only be described as paranormal. A consultation with a psychic ultimately tells them that the girlfriend is, in fact, being followed by a demon, who feeds off negative energy.

Have you seen it already? If you have, please tell me if it's worth watching, and if it really is as frightening as the rest of the world says. I'm a painfully curious person, and would like so much to see this film, but my instincts are telling me not to 'cause I might lose my innate toughness. And I might end up crawling in my dorm mate's bed next door.

Number 65

So, last Friday, Daddy decided to make up for coming home very late for the past two days (remember my I-haven't-seen-my-father-for-two-days dilemma?) by taking all of us out to this new bar, Atmosfera, which was co-owned by one of his colleagues at work.

We were supposed to go right after dinner, but had to wait for our youngest brother to finalize his enrollment. Apparently, his university had gone overtime to accommodate all the students. It was past 9pm when he finally finished, and we were right outside the gates when he came out (excited, much?).

Atmosfera was a quaint little bar, blown up by the enormous mirrors that were placed on all the walls. The blue light and freezing temperature reminded me of an aquarium; it felt very cozy.

Heniway, Dad ordered all of us a couple of drinks to start with, and then he just kinda laid back and talked to us like we were just strolling in the park or walking along the beach. :) My drink, Infinit in strawberry margarita flavor, enticed my Mom and younger brother immensely; before long, I found them filling up on the same drink, and abandoning their barely-touched beers.

It was an absolutely superb evening. The parentals got a little tipsy, so we had to go home at around 11:30pm, but not before laughing at their cute helpless ways of trying to prove that they're still sober, especially Mom who was so enthused. I forgot to bring the camera; these pictures are all taken by my phone.

We also played a game of coming up with a name we would call our bar if we were to put up our own. Suggestions included: MCKL, Wiwid's, Leng's, New Palm, Luigi's, and Number 65. Daddy says he won't sign a lease unless we come up with a common name, so we all know that's never gonna happen, hahahaha. Of course, we were missing our sister, our Ate, who's off somewhere making millions. :)

All the same, it felt good to just sit and drink and talk. It feels as normal and natural as breathing: just can't live without it. And I can't live without these crazy people around. :)

Perfect is Nice

It's awfully devastating to have The Perfect in things be taken away.

It's like having the air sucked out of you. Or waking up and realizing you slept in all day long and missed out on all the fun. Or looking at your old class picture which was taken on the one day you didn't decide to go to class.

It's like not being able to sleep at night because you just had a fight with your best friend. Like waiting for three hours at the airport for a flight that's been delayed twice. Like hearing someone relay the ending of the book you had just started reading.

It's almost like failing an exam you burned the midnight oil for. And you know in your heart that no matter how hard you cry or try to hurt yourself for not doing better, what has been done can never be undone. What's been torn cannot be shaped back into its original form. What's dead cannot live on again.

It's just plain awful.

The worst part? Hell, it's not like you could do something about it. The world is just telling you: "Hello, earth to you, nobody is perfect."

Yet, you refuse to believe so.