Numerous systems in the body help keep you on balance, day in and day out. If one or more of these systems isn’t working properly, you may start to feel off-balance.  

Balance problems can be disorienting – you may feel dizzy, lightheaded, or like the room is spinning. These issues can be triggered by certain conditions, the most common of which include:

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Also known as BPPV, this condition is the main cause of vertigo among adults. It occurs when calcium crystals in the inner ear that help with balance are forced out of their usual positions. The crystals end up in different positions within the inner ear, which leads to balance problems.

BPPV can often be successfully treated with specific physical therapy exercises. If patients experience nausea along with BPPV, they may also benefit from taking anti-nausea medications. 

Vestibular Neuritis

Classified as an inner ear disorder, this condition occurs when the vestibulocochlear nerve in the inner ear becomes inflamed. This nerve transmits information about balance and head positioning to the brain. When it’s swollen, this information isn’t properly understood, and vertigo and dizziness occur as a result. 

Viral infections of the inner ear are the key cause of vestibular neuritis. Treating the virus and managing symptoms with anti-nausea medications are the most common methods for relieving this condition. It generally resolves on its own within several days. 

Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness

Persistent postural perceptual dizziness (PPPD) is a common disorder causing dizziness and unsteadiness among adults. It’s a chronic vestibular condition that typically develops when the brain’s interpretation of motion and space suddenly changes. It’s more common among people with anxiety, depression, and/or migraine. Physical therapy and medications are typically used to treat PPPD. 

At Suncoast Urgent Care, we provide walk-in medical services for adults and children. If you’re feeling dizzy, nauseous, and off-balance, visit our clinic today to speak with a physician. 

As a parent, it can be distressing for your child to experience pain. If your child complains of abdominal pain, in particular, you may wonder if they have appendicitis. 

Appendicitis occurs when the appendix, which is a small pouch that’s connected to the large intestine, becomes inflamed. In most cases of appendicitis, the patient will require an appendectomy, which is a surgical procedure that involves removing the appendix.  

Warning Signs of Appendicitis in Children

The main sign of appendicitis is a pain in the lower right portion of the abdomen. Frequently, the pain begins around the belly button, then travels down to the lower right area of the abdomen.

Pain from appendicitis is typically strong. However, it may fade in and out at first, potentially developing gradually over the course of a few days. But, the pain will later become constant and more severe. Additionally, your child may experience pain when pressure is placed on the abdomen. 

Additionally, if your child has appendicitis, they may experience a loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, bloated abdomen, and/or a low-grade fever. These additional symptoms are a good way to differentiate between appendicitis and other types of stomach pain. 

Is It Appendicitis or a Stomach Ache?

If your child complains of stomach pain but continues to eat, laugh, and be active, it’s unlikely to be appendicitis. However, if your child appears to have become less active, isn’t eating, or is bent over from the pain, it’s important to seek out medical care ASAP. 

Left untreated, appendicitis can lead to an appendix rupture, which is very dangerous. So, if your child is exhibiting signs of appendicitis, it’s better to be safe than sorry and see a doctor. Your child’s doctor can diagnose appendicitis by completing a physical exam, imaging, and testing.

The emergency medicine physicians and family practice physicians at Suncoast Urgent Care can help manage abdominal complaints and ensure that your child receives the care that they need to make a full recovery. Contact us today for more information.