Monday, October 22, 2007

Hello Friends,

Just a quick update. Sarah went by herself this past weekend to visit Kevin and they had a good time together. Sarah will be going to visit her parents who live in Northern California the middle of this week. So, we will be bringing Kevin home to stay with us this weekend. Keith will pick him up Friday afternoon and Everett will take him back Sunday afternoon.

Kevin did have his ENG last week and has been diagnosed with Benign Paroxysmal Positioning Vertigo (BPPV). I have checked with mayoclinic.com for a description of BPPV. The organ of balance, located in your inner ear, is the vestibular labyrinth. It includes loop-shaped structures that contain fluid and fine, hair-like sensors that monitor the rotation of your head. These canals all attach to the utricle, which contains tiny granules or crystals of calcium carbonate. These particles are attached to sensors that help detect gravity and back-and-forth motion. BPPV occurs when the particles within the labyrinth loosen and float in the fluid. In certain positions they can irritate the nerve endings associated with balance, giving a false signal of movement and causing a brief sensation of spinning. BPPV most often is a result of aging but can also occur after a blow to the head. The signs and symptoms of BPPV can come and go, with episodes commonly lasting less than one minute. Episodes of BPPV can disappear for some time and then recur. Activities that bring about the signs and symptoms of BPPV can vary from person to person, but are almost always brought on by a change in the position of your head. Abnormal rhythmic eye movements (nystagmus) usually accompany BPPV.

We have seen nystagmus in Kevin's eye since the beginning of his injury and it has been a little disconcerting not knowing what this strange movement in his eye is, but are happy to find it is not a serious problem. There are exercises the doctor can give Kevin to alleviate the symptoms of BPPV. Again, we are grateful that this is not a serious condition.

I put in a call this morning to Kevin's case worker at the Centre to find out what's going on with his referral to a neuro-ophthalmologist and have not yet received a call back. Please keep this matter in your prayers.

Tami