Constant spinning, persistent imbalance, or disorienting dizziness … Sound familiar? If you are experiencing these symptoms, you may be experiencing a vestibular disorder.
Vertigo and balance disorders affect a multitude of people each year. While it is often difficult to describe exactly what you are experiencing, we have several methods to diagnose your condition. Balance disorders can be quite debilitating and give you a constant sense of unease. Here is a little more information about vertigo and balance disorders.
What Causes a Balance Disorder?
Balance disorders do not have a singular cause or origin. There are a variety of reasons why a person could develop this condition. Some of the most common causes include:
- Medication side effects
- Blood pressure or blood sugar abnormalities
- Dehydration
- Viral infection
- Dysfunction of the balance organ in the inner ear
- Meniere’s Disease
- Migraine headache
- Benign Paroxysmal Position Vertigo (BPPV)
- Neurologic conditions like Multiple Sclerosis or brain tumors
- Age related balance problems
- Head injury
How is a Balance Disorder Diagnosed?
Balance disorders are not always easy to diagnose. In fact, identifying your particular condition may be quite difficult since there are so many potential causes. In order to get an accurate diagnosis, our highly skilled ENT specialists will conduct a series of tests to determine your specific condition and treatment options. These tests may include evaluations of hearing, Videonystagmography (VNG) that can evaluate whether the balance organs are functioning normally, and even MRI. History and physical examination are vital to the diagnosis as well. Each one of these test plays a key role in specifying the nature of your condition.
What Are My Treatment Options?
Based on your diagnosis, we will determine the best treatment regimen to help alleviate your symptoms. These could include in-office canalith repositioning maneuvers, home balance exercises, medical therapy, or even vestibular physical therapy. Rarely is surgery needed for these conditions.
If you or a loved one is suffering from a balance disorder, contact one of our expert physicians today. With our help, you can find the relief you are looking for and restore balance to your life.