Steve Smith was a surprise late withdrawal from the Adelaide Test after experiencing nausea and dizziness, with Usman Khawaja stepping in, Cricket Australia confirmed.
Steve Smith, the Australian cricketer, pulled out of third ashes test against England on the morning the match was set to begin. Cricket Australia tested and confirmed that Smith had been experiencing nausea and dizziness, and to be on the safe side, the medical team ruled him out. His late withdrawal opened the door for Usman Khawaja, who seized the unexpected chance with both hands and went on to lead Australia impressively on what has been a challenging day's play so far. It was for the betterment to focus on the health of Smith, because balance related problems can largely affect the performance and safety in the field.
Vertigo is a symptom, not a disease, and typically it is a symptom of an underlying complication. Individuals with vertigo usually feel that they or the surroundings are rotating or moving, even when they are stationary. Depending on the cause this sensation may be short term or in the case of hours or even days. Vertigo is especially a cause of worry in an athlete because it impacts on coordination, vision, and reaction time, which is essential in high intensity sporting activities such as cricket.
The vertigo can impact a person in a number of different forms, and the symptoms can be more or less severe depending on the person. Among the most common ones, there are:
Steve Smith had reported that he experienced nausea and dizziness, which are typical symptoms of vertigo like conditions.
Normally, vertigo manifests itself in the presence of problems in the inner ear, which is extremely important in balancing. Some common causes include:
Some of the conditions like benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (arise due to the displacement of small particles of calcium in the inner ear, which give incorrect messages to the brain regarding body movements.
Sudden dizziness and balance problems may be caused by viral or bacterial infections of the inner ear.
The conditions in which athletes train and their travels are usually demanding. Dizziness and the feeling of vertigo may be instigated by dehydration, sleep deprivation, or physical fatigue.
Small head traumas, neck strain, or improper posture may occasionally disrupt the signal systems of blood circulation, resulting in vertigo.
Mental stress may also be the cause of high or excessive levels of dizziness and balance disturbances, particularly in elite sport settings.
In the case of professional cricketers, vertigo has a devastating impact on hand eye coordination, depth perception, and speed of reaction. With the loss in balance, batting, fielding and even simple movements are endangered. Rest and observation is the most common practices advised by medical teams until the symptoms have died, which is the reason behind the ruling of Steve Smith despite the significance of the Test match.
Although vertigo cannot always be avoided, there are some measures to reduce the risk or the intensity of symptoms:
There is a need to consume enough fluids, particularly when travelling and when on a rigorous training program.
Sleep deprivation may aggravate dizziness and slow down the recovery process. Frequent sleep patterns are recommended to athletes.
The rapid shifting of head position may cause instances of vertigo and especially in the case of BPPV.
Some methods of relaxation, breathing, and mental conditioning can be practised to manage the symptoms.
The condition may be aggravated by disregard of such early symptoms as mild dizziness or nausea. Timely evaluation is a contributing factor to speedy recovery.
Overall, the loss of Steve Smith to the Test in Adelaide shows that even at the highest level of athletic performance, one cannot avoid abrupt health issues. Most of the symptoms associated with vertigo are fully cured with good rest and medical attention. Cricket Australia will have a close eye on Smith, and the fans will be wishing that he returns sooner as soon as he is medically fit.