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Ennis admits to brain scan fears

Jessica Ennis was forced to miss the UK Championships © Getty Images

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Jessica Ennis has admitted that her confidence has been knocked after a debilitating virus, which forced her to have brain scan, affected her training regime ahead of the European Championships.

The world heptathlon champion sought medical advice in the wake of bouts of nausea and dizziness that prevented her competing in the UK Championships in June.

"I felt a bit faint and thought I was dehydrated," Ennis told the Times. "I rested up and trained the next day … But [when] I got home, suddenly the entire room was spinning. It was scary. I tried to stand up, but every time I did the room would spin some more and I'd be sick."

Ennis' GP diagnosed a virus that had affected the inner ear and prescribed tablets - but the symptoms returned soon after, prompting the 24-year-old to seek a second opinion on her ailments. The doctor at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield recommended the Epley Manouevre.

"I had no idea what it was and it sounded painful," she said. "It involved jerking the head to one side at 45 degrees and then the other way 90 degrees. It was weird, quick and successful.

"I had a brain scan to make sure everything was OK. Brain scans are always quite frightening as you naturally suspect the worse.

"It took me back to when I got the result of the scan on my injured foot two years ago and, to my horror and surprise, was ruled out of the Olympics. Thankfully, this time everything was in order.

"It's frustrating because I have missed more training than I'd have liked so I suppose it does affect my confident going into the European Championships this month. That said, I believe there is enough time to make it up and I am happy to go in there as the favourite."

Ennis is the captain of the Great Britain team for the Euros, which begin in Barcelona on July 27.

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