In this episode of the Making Vestibular Visible podcast we talk about blast wave injuries, and the vestibular injury that results from near- or far- exposure to explosives. Whether due to an isolated act of terrorism or an ongoing regional conflict, the impact of explosives is severe. It's estimated that 1 in 8 people globally have been exposed to conflict in 2024. This includes those living within 5 kilometers (3 miles) of violent events, such as bombings and explosions. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine is one of the places where soldiers and civilians experience war-related injuries.

Speaker: ​Dr. Konstantin Trinus is a distinguished medical professional from Kyiv, Ukraine specializing in neuro-otology. He graduated with honors from Kyiv Medical Institute and earned his PhD focusing on human and animal physiology. He has a Doctor of Medicine degree in neurology, with a dissertation on vestibular disturbances as early indicators of neurological deficits in individuals exposed to ionizing radiation from the Chornobyl catastrophe. Dr. Trinus has held various research and academic positions and has lectured internationally, authored numerous scientific publications, and received several awards, such as the Tsiolkovsky Medal and the Claussen-Tato Prize in 2018 for his significant contributions to neuro-otology. ​

Dr. Trinus has conducted extensive research into the vestibular consequences of blast wave injuries, particularly among participants of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) in Ukraine. His studies have identified a significant prevalence of vestibular disturbances in individuals exposed to blast trauma, including symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, kinetosis, and orthostatic discomfort. For instance, his research revealed that 70.77% of ATO participants reported dizziness, and 26.15% experienced objective vertigo, indicating a strong correlation between blast exposure and vestibular dysfunction. His work emphasizes the need for comprehensive vestibular assessment and targeted rehabilitation strategies for individuals affected by blast-induced mild traumatic brain injuries. ​

In this episode we are going to discuss the remote treatment of dizziness and imbalance using a novel virtual platform called Vertigenius, a comprehensive and personalized approach to vestibular rehabilitation that empowers patients to effectively engage with their prescribed exercises.

Speaker bio: Dr. Dara Meldrum is a vestibular physiotherapist with over 25 years of clinical and research experience. She has published 53 journal articles and 100 conference abstracts. Her doctoral research centered on the integration of technology in balance and dizziness rehabilitation, which led her to found VERTIGENIUS, an online, comprehensive and personalized approach to vestibular rehabilitation. Welcome, Dr. Meldrum.

Three years ago Dr. Bell presented a webinar for VeDA on navigating the healthcare system, and since then she’s been working tirelessly to write a book for people suffering with dizziness or vertigo who are seeking relief through healthcare and who are unable to work with her in person.

Dr. Bell’s goal in writing this book is to share what she has learned in more than twenty years of clinical practice, and to offer a guide for patients navigating the healthcare system to find answers and relief from dizziness and vertigo.

Her book "Navigating the Health Care System as a Dizzy Patient", is now available for purchase on Amazon.

Dr. Kim Bell is a San Diego, California based Doctor of Physical Therapy with clinical expertise in vestibular assessment and rehabilitation for relief of dizziness, falls, vertigo, and imbalance. After suffering with dizziness and vertigo herself for over 25 years, she has realized how limited the resources are for people with these problems.

Dr. Bell has dedicated her career to developing a comprehensive approach, called The Bell Method®, for assessing and treating dizziness, vertigo, balance problems, and unexplained falls. Her care is powered by evidence and driven by empathy.

The Bell Method® integrates multi-system root cause analysis, advanced knowledge of vestibular rehabilitation, evidence-based geriatric fall prevention strategies, and compassionate communication. She is devoted to resolving the most complex and difficult cases of patients with dizziness, vertigo and imbalance.