The adult dummy that can stop those dizzy spells

The device contains a single tube that the patient breathes through

Scientists have devised a gadget that resembles a baby’s dummy to help tackle dizzy spells in adults, and prevent people from passing out.

The gadget, which the user places in their mouth whenever they are feeling dizzy, is designed to increase blood flow to the brain in people who suffer a sudden drop in blood pressure when they stand up.



This is called orthostatic or postural hypotension and is particularly common in older people. It is thought to be the cause of fainting in one in ten people aged 60 or over, and is a common cause of falls in older people.



The symptoms are caused by a lack of blood to the head when we stand up. Gravity causes blood to drop to the legs and away from the brain.



Normally, special blood pressure sensors in the neck automatically detect this and adjust our blood pressure and heart rate to cope. However, in some people, this doesn’t occur, causing a person to feel faint.



Ageing is one of the most common causes, as the blood pressure sensors in the neck become less sensitive with advancing years, meaning that blood pressure and heart rate aren’t increased as quickly as they should be.

Other causes include dehydration, some heart conditions, and diabetes. It has also been linked to use of some medicines, including diuretics, beta-blockers and some types of antidepressants.



The idea behind the new device is that it makes it slightly harder for a person to breathe when inserted into the mouth.



The device contains a single tube that the patient breathes through. This contains a type of filter, which restricts the amount of air flowing into the mouth, making a person suck harder on the tube to pull air into the lungs. Although this sounds counter-intuitive, it’s thought that the actions of sucking on the tube causes the lungs to expand more than they normally would, in an effort to pull in more air. This extra lung expansion signals to the body that it is struggling for air, which helps push blood back to the heart and brain.



However, the device still allows a person to breathe enough air so that sufficient oxygen reaches the brain.



Early studies have shown the device results in a 50 per cent increase in blood pressure, and results in more blood being pumped to the brain.



In the new study at Vanderbilt University in the U.S., 100 patients who suffer from postural hypotension will use the device at home whenever they feel dizzy.



Commenting on the gadget, Dr Christopher Morley, consultant cardiologist, and lead consultant for the Blackout Service at Bradford NHS Trust said: ‘The device provides a simple way of increasing blood flow to the heart and may moderate symptoms of postural hypotension.



‘However, whether or not it is well tolerated by patients, and they find it easy and comfortable to use, remains to be seen.’



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Meanwhile, cinnamon could help control blood pressure.



In a new study, conducted at Thames Valley University, patients with type 2 diabetes were given 2g of cinnamon every day for 12 weeks; the spice decreased systolic blood pressure (the top number in a reading, which is the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats) by five points and diastolic blood pressure (the pressure between beats) by two points.

