A balance disorder is a condition marked by the symptoms of feeling unsteady or dizzy. Even while standing, lying or sitting still, a person with a balance disorder will feel as if they are moving, spinning or floating. While walking, people may feel as if they are tipping over.
These disorders can be caused by anything that affects the inner ear or the brain such as medications, ear infections or head injuries. The risk for balance disorders increases as people get older.
What Are the Most Common Balance Disorders?
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) involves brief but intense periods of vertigo that are triggered by specific changes in head position. It occurs when tiny crystals in the otolith organs become dislodged and migrate to the semicircular canals.
- Meniere’s disease is a chronic condition that causes vertigo, tinnitus, fullness in the ear and fluctuating hearing loss that may eventually become permanent. Meniere’s is usually confined to one ear and though its cause is unknown it may be the result of abnormal fluid buildup in the inner ear.
- Labyrinthitis is an inflammation of the inner ear usually caused by an infection. Its symptoms include vertigo, temporary hearing loss and tinnitus.
How Are Balance Disorders Treated?
Southwest Ohio ENT Specialists and Hillcrest offer comprehensive diagnostic/testing appointments in each of our offices for dizziness and balance concerns. Your primary care provider may be the one to refer you to our practice. Once we know the cause for your symptoms, an individualized treatment plan will be developed by your physician and suggested to you.
Treatment options may include:
- Medications (antihistamines, sedatives, antibiotics or steroids)
- Physical or occupational therapy
- Surgery
- Repositioning exercises
- Vestibular retraining programs
- Lifestyle modifications (such as dietary changes and elimination of alcohol and nicotine)
We focus on targeting the underlying cause of your symptoms in order to help you to feel better.
Call Hillcrest Hearing & Balance Center at (937) 222-0022 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
