Multiple professional athletes have experienced vertigo this season, which has disrupted their ability to produce in their respective sports.
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Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Nathan Lukes is the athlete currently dealing with this ailment. According to Sportsnet's Arden Zwelling, the outfielder has been experiencing "intermittent dizziness and nausea" since spring training.
Doctors have diagnosed Lukes with vertigo, but the Blue Jays medical staff has cleared him to continue playing. He has suited up for 16 games while posting nine hits in 42 at-bat appearances. He has scored four runs and accounted for five RBIs.
Zwelling added that Lukes has undergone some treatment for the issue. He saw a specialist in Arizona on Friday, he has taken medication, and he has completed head movements known as "Epley Maneuver."
These movements, created by Dr. John Epley, are designed to dislodge calcium crystals from the semicircular canals inside the ear and return them to the utricle where they belong.
The "Epley Maneuver" involves turning your head 45 degrees in one direction, quickly lying back onto a bed, waiting 30 seconds, and then turning your head 90 degrees in the opposite direction. After another 30 seconds, turn your head and body another 90 degrees before sitting up.
The issues with vertigo also extended into the world of NASCAR this season. Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, had to exit his car midway through a race at Circuit of Americas on March 1 due to experiencing symptoms.
Bowman worked with a specialist and tried to return to the car for the next race on the schedule, but he ultimately missed four races. He finally received clearance to return for the race at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 12.
This process required Bowman completing laps around a purpose-built track in Concord, North Carolina, taking part in pit stop practice, and flying across the country to meet with multiple specialists.
