Dizziness and Balance: Five Things to Know About Vertigo

Dizziness is a common condition, affecting 20 to 30 percent of the general population, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Since vertigo is more than just dizziness, it is also accompanied by a sense of movement or spinning and, at times, nausea or vomiting. Five important aspects of the condition are listed below.

• There are a variety of causes for vertigo. The most common are inner ear disorders, viral infections, migraines, Ménière's disease (an inner-ear disorder involving a buildup of excessive fluid), and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (a condition that triggers vertigo symptoms based upon specific changes in the position of one’s head).
• The inner ear plays a large role in balance. It has three semicircular canals, containing fluid, that detect movement of the head.  Each semicircular canal handles a different directional movement of the head – side-to-side, up-and-down, and tilting from one side to the other. While the head moves, nerves communicate the body’s position and movements to the brain. According to the Pennsylvania Ear Institute’s (PEI) balance expert, Dr. Bre Myers, the inner ear typically works so well, we don’t notice it working.
• “When one side is injured, either due to infection, a traumatic brain injury, lack of blood flow, etc., a person may experience a sensation of spinning when they are still,” Dr. Myers said. “Sometimes these attacks can last for several hours to several days. Most times, as long the person is otherwise in good health, the body will recover or compensate for permanent injuries over a few weeks.”
• If you are experiencing vertigo or frequent dizziness, contact an audiologist quickly. The sooner a patient can be evaluated, the better, according to Dr. Myers. Signs and symptoms tend to decrease as more time passes.
• There are various tests to identify if vertigo is present. An audiologist will determine the cause and functional impact of someone’s vertigo symptoms. They will conduct a balance evaluation using a variety of tests, such as a Videonystagmography (VNG), Rotational Chair Analysis, and Computerized Dynamic Posturography – all of which evaluate various aspects of the balance system.
• Treatment options are available and vary depending on what causes the vertigo. For those with one of the most common causes of vertigo, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, tiny calcium crystals (otoconia) become dislodged and float into one of the "balance canals." People will often experience a brief, but intense spinning sensation whenever they lie down or tilt their head back. This is treated in the office with a simple repositioning maneuver that helps move the otoconia to the proper spot within the inner ear. 

For other types of vertigo, specialized exercises will be recommended by the audiologist to alleviate the vertigo symptoms.

If you or a loved on experience vertigo, contact PEI for a balance evaluation.