Half of all people in the U.S. will experience some form of balance disorder during their lifetime.
Most balance disorders stem from issues with the inner ear. Also known as the vestibular system, the tiny organs inside your ear help you to maintain balance and focus. Problems with your vestibular system could result in such symptoms as unsteadiness, motion sickness or blurred vision. Because balance disorders are often caused by underlying health issues, you should consult with an expert about your symptoms and medical history.
Speak with a Bayhealth neurologist about balance disorders.
Common Types of Balance Disorders
The following are among the many conditions that can affect the inner ear.
- Acoustic Neuroma: A rare, noncancerous tumor, acoustic neuroma grows on the nerves in your ear that help with hearing and maintaining balance.
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): A disorder of the inner ear, BPPV gets triggered when you move your head a certain way, such as rolling over in bed. BPPV commonly leads to peripheral vertigo symptoms such as dizziness.
- Labyrinthitis: An infection that causes swelling within the inner ear, labyrinthitis results in balance and hearing issues.
- Meniere’s Disease: A rare disorder of the inner ear, Meniere’s disease causes vertigo, ear pressure, hearing loss and ringing in the ears (tinnitus). Symptoms of Meniere’s disease worsen over time if not properly treated.
- Vestibular Neuritis: The third most common cause of peripheral vertigo, vestibular neuritis occurs when a nerve that helps process balance becomes swollen.
Signs and Symptoms
Common symptoms of balance disorders include the following.
- Blurred Vision
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Motion Sickness
- Unsteadiness
- Vertigo
Some balance disorders also cause hearing loss or tinnitus.
Risk Factors and Prevention
Although balance disorders can occur in anyone at any age, several factors are known to increase your risk of developing one. Those factors include the following.
- Age: Balance issues are a leading health complaint among individuals 70 and older.
- Brain Health: Brain-related conditions such as strokes, migraines, traumatic brain injuries and a range of diseases and infections can lead to balance disorders.
- Inner Ear Issues: Conditions in or around your ear may contribute to vertigo symptoms. Those conditions include shingles, otosclerosis and vestibular ataxia.
- Medications: Some drugs prescribed to treat unrelated conditions may have side effects that cause dizziness, vertigo or other balance issues. Those medications include certain antibiotics, cardiovascular drugs and anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Underlying Conditions: Conditions such as arrhythmia, diabetes, low blood pressure, peripheral neuropathy, multiple sclerosis and syphilis can lead to balance disorders.
How We Diagnose Balance Disorders
Our experts use the following procedures to diagnose balance disorders.
- Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP): This test measures how well your eyes, ears, nerves and muscles work together to help you maintain balance while standing on a platform.
- Computerized Tomography (CT): Certified experts use computer-processed X-rays to generate a scan of your head or body in “slices” to create highly accurate images.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): A combination of a magnetic field and radio waves creates three-dimensional images of specific areas of your body to determine if disease or physical abnormalities are present.
- Rotational Chair Test: Also known as a rotary chair test, this examination measures coordination between your inner ear and your eyes. During the exam, you sit on a rotating chair wearing special goggles that record your eye movement.
- Videonystagmography (VNG): While wearing special goggles that track eye movement, you are asked to look at objects in motion. This test detects jerky eye movements (called nystagmus) that are common with balance disorders.
- Video Head Impulse Testing (VHIT): Similar to the VNG, this exam measures eye movement as you focus on a stationary object and move your head around.
Treatment Options
Treating a balance disorder often depends on treating the condition causing it. Once we determine the source of your balance disorder, our experts outline a treatment plan that addresses the underlying condition and manages your symptoms.
Treatment methods may include the following.
- Medication: Depending on what type of balance disorder you have, some symptoms could be treated using motion sickness drugs, antihistamines and more.
- Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy: A range of exercises may be used to improve balance issues, including stretching, strengthening and marching in place.
- Hearing Aids: For individuals experiencing hearing loss, we provide advanced hearing aids, custom ear molds and implantable devices based on your needs.
Schedule an appointment to talk about balance disorders, or learn more about conditions treated by our neurology and neurosurgery experts.