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Balance: Vertigo, Dizziness, Nausea, Motion Sickness (
courtecy;- medicineNet.com )
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A balance disorder is a condition that makes you feel unsteady
or dizzy, as if you are moving, spinning, or floating.
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What Is a Balance
Disorder?
A balance disorder is a
condition that makes you feel unsteady or dizzy, as if you are moving,
spinning, or floating, even though you are standing still or lying down.
Balance disorders can be caused by certain health conditions, medications, or a
problem in the inner ear or the brain
What Is the Vestibular System, and How Does it
Work?
The
medical term for all of the parts of the inner ear involved with balance is
referred to as the vestibular system. It controls our sense of balance,
posture, the body’s orientation in space, locomotion, and other movements; and
keeps objects in visual focus as the body moves. The vestibular system works
with other sensory systems in the body, for example, the eyes, bones, and
joints, to check and maintain the positioning of the body at rest and in
motion.
What Is the Labyrinth?
Our
sense of balance is primarily controlled by a maze-like structure in the inner
ear called the labyrinth, which is made of bone and soft tissue. The
semicircular canals and otolithic organs within the labyrinth help maintain our
balance. The cochlea within the labyrinth enables us to hear.
What Are the Symptoms of
a Balance Disorder?
Some of the common
symptoms of a balance disorder include:
·
Dizziness or vertigo
·
Falling or a feeling as
if you are going to fall
·
Lightheadedness,
fainting, or a floating sensation
·
Blurred vision
·
Confusion or
disorientation
·
Nausea and vomiting
·
Diarrhea
·
Changes in blood
pressure and heart rate
·
Fear
·
Anxiety
·
Panic
Symptoms may come and go
over short periods of time, or last for longer periods of time.
What Causes a Balance Disorder?
A
balance disorder may be caused by viral or bacterial infections in the ear,
head injuries, or blood circulation disorders that affect the inner ear or
brain. Many people experience problems with their sense of balance as they age.
Balance problems and dizziness also can result from taking certain medications.
Problems in the nervous and circulatory systems can be the source of some
posture and balance problems. Problems in the skeletal or visual systems, such
as arthritis or eye muscle imbalance, also may cause balance problems. However,
many balance disorders can begin very suddenly with no obvious cause.
What Are the Types of
Balance Disorders?
There are more than a
dozen types of balance disorders. Some of the most common include:
·
Vertigo
·
Benign paroxysmal
positional vertigo (BPPV)
·
Labyrinthitis
·
Meniere’s disease
·
Vestibular neronitis
·
Perilymph fistula
·
Mal de debarquement
syndrome (MdDS)
Vertigo
Vertigo
is an abnormal sensation that is described by a person as a feeling that they
are spinning, or that the world is spinning around them; and may be accompanied
by intense nausea and vomiting. This feeling may be associated with loss of
balance to the point that the person walks unsteadily or falls. Vertigo itself
is a symptom or indicator of an underlying balance problem, either involving
the labyrinth of the inner ear, or the cerebellum of the brain.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
Benign
paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) or positional vertigo is a brief, intense
episode of vertigo that occurs because of a specific change in the position of
the head. A person also may experience BPPV when he or she rolls over in bed.
BPPV sometimes may result from a head injury or aging.
Labyrinthitis
Labyrinthitis
is an infection or inflammation of the inner ear that causes dizziness and loss
of balance. It frequently is associated with an upper respiratory infection
such as the flu.
Ménière's Disease
Ménière's
disease is associated with a change in fluid volume within parts of the
labyrinth, one of the structures of the inner ear. Ménière's disease causes
episodes of vertigo, irregular hearing loss, tinnitus (a ringing or buzzing in
the ear), and a feeling of fullness in the ear. The cause of Ménèire's disease
is unknown.
Vestibular Neuronitis
Vestibular
neuronitis is an inflammation of the vestibular nerve and may be caused by a
virus. Vestibular neuronitis is a paroxysmal attack of severe vertigo. It
affects young to middle-aged adults, and often follows a nonspecific upper
respiratory infection.
Perilymph Fistula
Perilymph
fistula is a leakage of inner ear fluid into the middle ear. It can occur after
a head injury, drastic changes in atmospheric pressure (such as when scuba
diving), physical exertion, ear surgery, or chronic ear infections. Its most
notable symptom, besides dizziness and nausea, is unsteadiness when walking or
standing that increases with activity and decreases with rest. Some babies may
be born with perilymph fistula, usually in association with hearing loss that
is present at birth.
Motion Sickness
Motion
sickness, sometimes referred to as sea sickness or car sickness, is a very
common disturbance of the inner ear that is caused by repeated motion such as
from the swell of the sea, movement of a car, or the motion of turbulent air on
a plane. The symptoms of motion sickness are nausea, vomiting, dizziness,
sweating, and a sense of feeling unwell. These symptoms arise from the inner
ear (labyrinth) due to changes in one's sense of balance and equilibrium.
Mal de Debarquement Syndrome (MdDS)
Mal
de debarquement syndrome (MdDS) is a balance disorder in which a person feels
as if he or she is continuously rocking or bobbing. It generally occurs after
an ocean cruise or other sea travel. Usually, the symptoms will resolve in a
matter of hours or days after the person reaches land. However, severe cases
can last months or even years.
How is a Balance Disorder Diagnosed?
Diagnosis
of a balance disorder is difficult. There are many potential causes - including
medical conditions and medications. To help evaluate a balance problem, a
doctor may suggest the patient visit an otolaryngologist (a physician and
surgeon who specializes in the ear, nose, and throat). The otolaryngologist may
order a hearing examination, blood tests, an electronystagmogram (which
measures eye movements and the muscles that control them), or imaging studies
of the head and brain. Another possible test is called posturography. For this
test, the patient stands on a special movable platform in front of a patterned
screen. The doctor measures how the patient’s body moves in response to
movement of the platform, the patterned screen, or both.
How Is a Balance Disorder Treated?
The
first thing a doctor will do to treat a balance disorder is determine if the
patient’s dizziness is caused by a medical condition or medication. If it is,
the doctor will treat the condition or suggest a different medication for the
patient.
The
treatment for the different types of balance disorders described previously
will depend on the specific balance disorder. Some treatment options include
medication, vestibular rehabilitation therapy, head; body; and eye exercises,
and modifications to home fixtures to make them safer (for example, handrails
in the home).
How Do I Know if I Have a Balance Disorder?
Everyone
has a dizzy spell now and then, but the term “dizziness” may mean something
different to different people. For some people, dizziness might be a fleeting
sensation of spinning, while for others it's intense and lasts a long time.
Experts believe that more than four out of 10 Americans will experience an
episode of dizziness significant enough to seek medical care.
To
help you decide whether or not you should seek medical help for a dizzy spell, ask
yourself the following questions. If you answer “yes” to any of these
questions, talk to your doctor.
How Can I Help My Doctor Make a Diagnosis?
You
can help your doctor make a diagnosis and determine a treatment plan by
answering these questions. Be prepared to discuss this information during your
appointment.
At
your appointment, take a minute to write down any instructions your doctor has
given you. Be sure to ask any questions you have before you leave the office.
Reviewed by Peter O'Connor, M.D.
on Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Balance Disorders:
Vertigo, Motion Sickness, Labyrinthitis, and More
This tool does not
provide medical advice.
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