You are an expert at rope-walking.

你是走繩索的專家。

Kitty's head went round and round.

吉蒂的頭轉了一圈又一圈。

Oh!

哦！

Please keep an eye on it, if such things repeat, it may be a sign of vertigo.

請注意觀察，如果此類情況反覆出現，可能是眩暈症的徵兆。

Vertigo?

眩暈症？

Vertigo.

迷魂記

A topic we will explore by answering a head-spinning question.

我們將通過回答一個令人頭疼的問題來探討這個話題。

What causes vertigo?

眩暈症的病因是什麼？

Zoom in!

放大！

So, what is vertigo?

那麼，什麼是眩暈症？

In simple terms, vertigo is an intense form of dizziness where you feel as if you or your surroundings are moving or spinning while you are standing still.

簡單地說，眩暈是一種強烈的頭暈，當你站在原地不動時，你會感覺自己或周圍的環境在移動或旋轉。

This sensation often makes you feel off-balance, sometimes to the point where you might feel like you are going to fall over.

這種感覺常常會讓你感覺失去平衡，有時甚至會讓你覺得自己快要摔倒了。

To understand why this happens, let's first learn how we maintain our balance.

要了解為什麼會出現這種情況，讓我們先來了解一下我們是如何保持平衡的。

To help us maintain our balance, our eyes inform our brain about what we see, while our muscles and joints inform our brain whether we are moving or standing still.

為了幫助我們保持平衡，我們的眼睛會告訴大腦我們看到了什麼，而我們的肌肉和關節則會告訴大腦我們是在移動還是在靜止。

At the same time, a part of our ears, called the vestibular system, also becomes involved.

與此同時，我們耳朵的一部分，即前庭系統，也會受到影響。

Its job is to understand balance, our positioning and when we are in motion.

它的工作是瞭解平衡、我們的定位以及我們何時處於運動狀態。

This system includes the saccule and utricle, which help us determine which way is up and down.

這個系統包括囊膜和胞膜，它們可以幫助我們確定上下方向。

It also has semi-circular canals filled with a special fluid called endolymph.

它還有一個半圓形的管道，裡面充滿了一種叫做內淋巴的特殊液體。

These canals sense when we are turning or rotating our heads.

當我們轉動或旋轉頭部時，這些管道就會感應到。

Typically, both canals on the opposite side of the head send similar signals to help our brain understand our head's movement correctly.

通常情況下，頭部對側的兩個耳道會發出類似的信號，幫助我們的大腦正確理解頭部的運動。

The vestibular system integrates all this information with what our eyes see and what our muscles and joints feel, providing a complete picture of our body's position and movement to maintain balance effectively.

前庭系統將所有這些資訊與我們的眼睛所看到的以及我們的肌肉和關節所感受到的資訊整合在一起，提供了一個關於我們身體位置和運動的完整畫面，從而有效地保持平衡。

So in short, issues in any part of this process can result in feelings of imbalance and vertigo.

是以，簡而言之，這一過程中任何一個環節出現問題，都可能導致失衡和眩暈感。

But then, what can cause these issues?

那麼，是什麼導致了這些問題呢？

Well, there are two possible causes of vertigo, peripheral vertigo and central vertigo.

眩暈有兩種可能的原因，即周圍性眩暈和中樞性眩暈。

Peripheral vertigo involves problems in the inner ear, such as vestibular neuritis, which is inflammation of the vestibular nerve that sends signals from the semi-circular canal to the brain and labyrinthitis, which is inflammation of the labyrinth in the inner ear and often involves the vestibular nerve.

外周性眩暈涉及內耳問題，如前庭神經炎（前庭神經炎是指從半規管向大腦發送信號的前庭神經發炎）和迷宮炎（迷宮炎是指內耳迷宮發炎，通常涉及前庭神經）。

Both are usually caused by a viral infection.

這兩種疾病通常都是由病毒感染引起的。

Other causes include Meniere's disease, which occurs due to an excess of fluid in the inner ear and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, BPPV, which is caused by the movement of tiny calcium particles called ortholiths inside the ear.

其他病因包括因內耳積液過多而導致的美尼爾氏病和良性陣發性位置性眩暈（BPPV），後者是由於耳內稱為 "正石 "的微小鈣顆粒移動而引起的。

These particles typically aid in detecting head movement and its relation to gravity.

這些粒子通常有助於檢測頭部運動及其與重力的關係。

However, when they become dislodged and move into the semi-circular canals, they can cause dizziness by disrupting fluid movement and sending conflicting signals to the brain.

然而，當它們移位並進入半圓管時，就會擾亂液體運動，並向大腦發出相互衝突的信號，從而導致頭暈。

On the other hand, central vertigo is caused by problems in the brain, especially in the brainstem or cerebellum, which are important for balance and spatial orientation.

另一方面，中樞性眩暈是由於大腦，尤其是腦幹或小腦出現問題引起的，而腦幹或小腦對平衡和空間定位非常重要。

This may include migraines, strokes, multiple sclerosis, tumors or head injuries that damage parts of the brain responsible for balance.

這可能包括偏頭痛、中風、多發性硬化症、腫瘤或頭部受傷，從而損傷了大腦負責平衡的部分。

But then, how can vertigo be treated?

那麼，如何治療眩暈症呢？

Well, the solution depends on the type of vertigo, but fortunately peripheral vertigo usually results on its own with proper rest, avoiding sudden movements and taking prescribed medicines.

不過，幸運的是，外周性眩暈通常會在適當休息、避免突然運動和服用處方藥後自行緩解。

However, if the issue persists, even after following these steps, you should make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.

但是，如果即使採取了這些步驟，問題仍然存在，您應該儘快預約醫生。

The doctor can conduct tests and help you feel better and regain your balance.

醫生可以為您進行檢查，幫助您感覺更好並恢復平衡。

Trivia Time!

瑣事時間

Did you know, nearly 40% of US adults experience vertigo at least once in their lifetime?

您知道嗎，近 40% 的美國成年人一生中至少經歷過一次眩暈？

Yes, and women are slightly more likely to experience it than men.

是的，女性比男性更容易出現這種情況。

Sketching Time!

素描時間

Today's sketch of the day goes to Anaisha Ajmera.

今天的素描獎由 Anaisha Ajmera 獲得。

Hope you have learnt something new today.

希望你們今天學到了新東西。

Until next time, it's me Dr. Binox, Zooming Out!

下次再見，我是 "放大 "的比諾克斯博士！

Mind!

心靈