Dizziness is not only one of the most common medical disorders seen by physicians today. It is also one of the most misunderstood and misdiagnosed conditions. Many times one is led to believe that nothing can be done to relieve the dizziness, and that they must simply “deal with it”. But in trying to “deal with it”, a misdiagnosed or non-treated case of dizziness can lead to an inability to function even in simple daily activities, and can eventually lead to severe injuries due to falling. As a matter of fact, research has shown that approximately 25 – 35% of people over 65 years of age experience one or more falls per year as a result of dizziness. And among people over 65, falls are the leading cause of deathrelated injuries.

Our professionals at Ear, Nose, Throat & Allergy Specialists understand the severity of dizziness and the anxiety and frustrations of someone suffering from this condition. Advanced diagnostic technology combined with detailed attention and individualized care allow us to accurately diagnose and treat your dizziness. With over 40 years of combined professional experience, we have helped thousands of people suffering from dizziness get their lives back in order.

Yes, there CAN be something to be done about your dizziness... and you don’t have to just merely “deal with it.”

How Do We Maintain Balance?

First, we must understand the purpose of our balance system, and what is involved. The purpose of our balance system is to integrate head (inner ear), visual (eye) and muscular (feeling) information to facilitate postural control and locomotion. Consider the simple model below, displaying the 3 major sensory inputs needed for balance.

When the balance system gets confusing information from one or more of the above sensory inputs, dizziness occurs. Inaccurate information from eyes, inner ear, or proprioceptive/spinal cord can lead to feelings of nausea, vertigo (room spinning), lightheadedness, fainting spells, and eventually falling.

CAUSES OF DIZZINESS

Peripheral (Inner Ear)
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV):

One of the most common causes of dizziness. Occurs when calcium carbonate crystals called otoconia loosen from the walls of the inner ear and shift into the semicircular canals, where they become trapped. With changes in head position, these crystals roll around in the semicircular canals, causing “extra stimulation” from the affected inner ear, leading to vertigo.

• Meniere’s Disease:
  Also known as Endolymphatic Hydrops.
  Occurs when excessive inner ear fluid accumulates within the inner ear. Other symptoms besides dizziness could include hearing loss, tinnitus, nausea and vomiting.
  
• Vestibular Neuritis:
  Also known as Labyrinthitis.
  Occurs when the vestibular branch of the VIIIth (Auditory) nerve becomes inflamed, usually due to a viral infection.
• Perilymph Fistula:
  Occurs when inner ear fluid leaks into the middle ear space due to an abnormal opening in the wall of the inner ear. This opening could be a crack in the inner ear wall, or a tear in the thin membranes between the middle ear and inner ear.
  
• Acoustic Neuroma:
  A non-malignant tumor that presses
  against the VIIIth (Auditory) nerve. Hearing loss and tinnitus can accompany dizziness.