Dizziness & Balance

Dizziness, a blanket term used to describe any feeling of unsteadiness, is one of the leading health complaints in the United States, affecting an estimated nine million people annually. For those over the age of 70 it’s the top reason for a visit to the doctor’s office. What Are the Causes of Dizziness?   Dizziness…

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. Primary symptoms include dizziness or a…

When a patient is experiencing balance problems such as dizziness or vertigo, a provider will use the patient’s medical history and perform a physical exam that will serve as the basis for ordering diagnostic balance tests. These tests measure the ability and function of the vestibular system and hearing to find the underlying cause the balance problem. Vestibular…

Vestibular testing involves a series of tests that are administered when you are experiencing dizziness. They are used to determine whether symptoms of dizziness are being caused by the balance system of the inner ear. Diagnostic Tests for the Vestibular System The vestibular system is complex and responsible for many of the body’s functions. In…

Vertigo is a form of dizziness characterized by the feeling that you or your environment is moving or spinning, despite the lack of any actual movement. This sensation is brought on by disturbances in the inner ear or the brain. What Are the Types of Vertigo? Peripheral vertigo is associated with problems in the inner…

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, commonly referred to as BPPV, is a vestibular disorder that causes vertigo. It occurs when calcium deposits in the inner ear become dislodged from the otolithic membrane and settle in the semicircular canals. Any change in the position of the head causes these tiny crystals to shift, triggering dizziness. What Causes…

Ménière’s disease is an inner ear disorder that causes fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo and fullness or pressure in the ear. It is the result of excess fluid in the inner ear. There is no cure for Ménière’s disease, but various strategies can help you manage your symptoms. What Causes Ménière’s Disease? The exact cause…

Videonystagmography, or VNG testing, is an exam of the balance system. It is used to determine the cause of a patient’s dizziness. Specifically, it measures whether a balance disorder can be attributed to a vestibular deficit (inner ear disease). How Does VNG Testing Work? VNG testing uses a combination of video goggles and infrared cameras…