Seriously though, the sensation of spinning or being balanced is caused by your inner ear. You and the guy at the range both should see your doctor about this.
Why? It’s been happening with me for about thirty years and doesn’t
seem to be causing a problem.
Bruce D. Holmgrain
JA Certified Master Benchjeweler
This is really off the wall but… Take the steam clearner out of the
equation. Is there some other commonality that might be causing the
effect.
KPK
Kim,
Then you have already visited with your doctor and ruled out any health issues?.....
Let’s not even go down the path of what it takes to get in to see my
doctor in today’s managed health care, but here’s why I don’t think
it’s necessary. If I were having dizzy spells when I got up out of a
chair, or they came on out of nowhere somewhat randomly, or I was
feeling it all the time, I would head over to the doctor. But it’s
occurring only when I am doing something directly associated with one
piece of machinery. To me that means it is not some general
problem—it has to have something to do with the machinery or it’s
operation.
Daniel R. Spirer, G.G.
Daniel R. Spirer Jewelers, LLC
1780 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02140
it is not some general problem---it has to have something to do with the machinery or it's operation.
Well, Daniel, if this is so, then it has to be occurring through
your senses or through your skin. Easy enough to shield your senses,
one at a time-- ear plugs, then face mask, then goggles or shades
(seems unlikely), maybe protective mylar jumpsuit and gloves…
Sounds silly, but all cheap and easy to try.
This is a shot in the dark, but there isn’t some heavy machinery
nearby that could be causing deep vibration, is there? I just came
back from a teaching weekend in Miami, and the room I taught in had
certain spots that vibrated, very locally-- a couple feet away,
nothing. I think it had to do with a nearby escalator-- and this was
a pretty dilapidated building. When I was standing in one of these
spots, I felt jittery, as though I’d drunk coffee (which I don’t do,
because it makes me feel this way, like the whole world is
vibrating).
I’d bet that either the earplugs or a mask will take care of it.
Noel
If you’ve ruled out medical reasons, it may just be a matter of
sensitivity to the machines high frequency sounds. At first it
sounded like a minor inner ear infection or maybe fluid on the ear
drum, I’d bet on the latter if it were a medical condition. Having
sensitive hearing I can tell you from experience, if I stick my hand
into my ultra-sonic ( a NO NO I’'m aware of) it makes me very dizzy.
Something to do with the vibration of the sound waves tickles my
inner ear and a cronic condition of fluid on the eardrum makes me
want to fall over…lol…therefore like the old saying goes “If it
hurts when you do this, don’t do that”…
Char
Have you tried plain old earplugs to block out the noise?
It’s known that steamers generate static electricity, especially in
humid weather. We had a problem with our steamer sparking us when we
had one hand under the steamer and the other near a sink or the
like, and that’s when a steamer service person told us about it, and
to use a tweezer that’s grounded to the steamer body. Whether that
has anything to do with becoming dizzy I don’t know. Is it just
because you were sitting at the bench and stood up suddenly to
steam? It’s a mystery for sure…
just a thought here… if you were to place your steamer in such a
manner so that you just swung your chair around and used the machine
while you were still seated, that might help rule out dizziness from
suddenly standing up.
that might help rule out dizziness from suddenly standing up.
It’s definitely not from suddenly standing up. Usually I am using it
after polishing (which I do standing up) so that isn’t the issue.
Daniel R. Spirer, G.G.
Daniel R. Spirer Jewelers, LLC
1780 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02140
Daniel - I am sure you were looking for one more opinion on this
subject, so here it is. I have also had this problem, although not
just while steaming. The first person I called was my doctor, because
I have heart issues that keep me alert to things like, say,
dizziness. It was sinus related for me, and it sounds exactly like
what you describe. I do not experience it often. Mostly during my
allergy seasons, or when a strong low or high pressure system moves
in. I always know when the weather is about to change. Anyway, the
steam will definitely affect your sinuses, and maybe together with
some atmospheric conditions, you get a little dizzy. A decongestant
will fix you if it lasts a while. If it happens just when you are
steaming, then you don’t need a doctor to tell you that you have
‘Seasonal Steaming Disorder’, or SSD ;). Of course we know that there
is no cure, but a vacation will give you temporary relief. I don’t
know what it is, but I have heard other people talk about how great
their vacation was. And seriously, if you have not had the basic
medical checkup in a while, it would not hurt to make sure that your
blood pressure is good. Hope this helps. Be well.
Kindest regards,
Stuart J. Adelman, Designer
Note From Ganoksin Staff:
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- Reading our guide to the Best Steam Cleaners Review for jewelry work here
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