We were hugely privileged to have the wonderful Dr Diego Kaski, Consultant Neurologist, Neuro Otologist and Honorary Associate Professor at University College London, join us for the May session of the NeuroHealth External Speaker Webinar Series. Dr Kaski is passionate about, and has a specialist interest in, dizziness; an area of medicine where there are a minimal number of experts, making our team extremely grateful to have Dr Kaski speak with us on this important topic.
Dr Kaski explained the most common causes for acute vertigo (the illusion of movement), the importance of making a diagnosis and the need for this to include a face-to-face, physical examination, as well as reviewing the history of the individual and identifying triggers.
The possible causes of dizziness, including benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), vestibular migraine and persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD – where the condition has become chronic and the symptoms of dizziness are present most of the day, most days of the week), were discussed including features and presentations, and groups more likely to be affected by these, as well as the potential causes.
Face-to-face assessment of the client enables nystagmus (repetitive involuntary movement of the eyes, often very small and therefore difficult to observe without close assessment) to be reviewed as well as consideration of the client’s hearing and gait. Nystagmus and its indications were further explained with the importance of ruling out a central cause first, also noted. Some simple and very effective diagnostic and treatment manoeuvres were also shared.
Working with clients who have suffered traumatic brain injuries, the debilitating symptoms of dizziness experienced by our clients are something that we all too often see. Dr Kaski discussed his ongoing research into and the development of much-needed measures for non-clinical diagnosis of these conditions and also spoke of the importance of education and explaining to clients the condition in understandable terms, to empower them and enable them to understand and help manage the symptoms and triggers.
Thank you Dr Kaski for a very interesting, relevant, and informative talk!
