Dizziness can be associated with a variety of conditions such as:
■ Viral or bacterial infections, including ear infections
■ Foreign objects into the ear canal
■ Blood pressure changes
■ Vascular problems
■ A fistula (hole) in the inner ear
■ Ménière’s disease
■ Medicines or drugs poisonous to the ear or balance system (ototoxic medicines)
■ Multiple sclerosis
■ Visual disorders
■ Tumors, especially of the vestibular portion of the eighth nerve (known as Acoustic Neuroma)
■ Head injury (traumatic brain injury (TBI)
What is Vertigo?
Vertigo is a type of dizziness where there is a sense of movement or spinning.
Changing position, such as sitting up in bed, can make it seem worse. Nausea and
vomiting may accompany the vertigo at times.
How Our Balance System Works
Balance and equilibrium help us stay upright when standing and
know where we are in relation to gravity. Our balance system also helps us walk,
run, and move without falling. Balance is controlled through signals to the
brain from your eyes, the inner ear, and the sensory systems of the body (such
as the skin, muscles, and joints). This balance system is also known as the
vestibular system.
In the inner ear, the balance system consists of three semicircular canals that
contain fluid and “sensors” that detect rotational movement of the head. Each of
the semicircular canals lies at a different angle and is situated at a right
angle to each other. The semicircular canals deal with different movement:
up-and-down, side-to-side, and tilting from one side to the other. All contain
sensory hair cells that are activated by movement of inner ear fluid (endolymph).
As the head moves, hair cells in the semicircular canals send nerve impulses to
the brain by way of the acoustic nerve. The nerve impulses are processed in the
brain to help us know where we are in space or if we are moving.
Located near the semicircular canals are the utricle and the saccule. The ends
of the semicircular canals connect with the utricle, and the utricle connects
with the saccule. The semicircular canals provide information about movement of
the head. The sensory hair cells of the utricle and saccule provide information
to the brain about head position when it is not moving. The utricle is sensitive
to change in horizontal movement. The saccule is sensitive to the change in
vertical acceleration (such as going up in an elevator).
What should I do if I have a problem with balance or dizziness?
It is important to see your doctor if you have unexplained dizziness or balance
issues. If you have any of the following other symptoms, be sure to seek
emergency medical care:
■ Chest pains
■ Numbness or tingling
■ Falling or problems walking
■ Weakness in the legs or arms
■ Blurred vision
■ Slurred speech
■ Sudden hearing loss
■ Severe neck stiffness
■ Head trauma or injury
■ High fever
Dizziness and balance difficulties are symptoms of another
problem. The first thing you should do is try to find out the underlying cause.
You should have a medical examination with special attention given to checking
for problems that can be associated with balance difficulties.
Unfortunately, in many cases, the dizziness and balance difficulties cannot be
treated medically or surgically. In these cases, the balance problem itself may
need to be treated through balance rehabilitation.