Monday, October 13, 2008
Uncomfortable feeling of dizziness has many causes
Dizziness is a general term often used to describe a sensation of unsteadiness. Almost everyone has experienced this sensation and just mentioning the word immediately evokes an uncomfortable feeling.
Normal balance requires three principal structures directing accurate information to the brain:
• Eyes. Visual input is key to being oriented in space. Many patients struggle to maintain balance in poorly lit areas and when vision begins to fail.
• Sensory nerves. Nerves conducting sensory impulses, particularly pressure and sensation from the feet, are crucial. Patients suffering from peripheral nerve damage find balance a real challenge.
• Inner Ear. The inner ear serves as a balance mechanism. Similar to the air bubble in a carpenter’s level, any movement of the head will cause the bubble to move. In the inner ear, this bubble moves along fine, hair-like nerve endings that send signals to the brain. An infection or trauma may cause these signals to be distorted.
Vertigo is a particular form of dizziness that involves a false sensation of motion, particularly a feeling that either the person or their surroundings are spinning.
Some common causes of vertigo include:
• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. Typically seen in elderly patients who experience dizziness with a change in position. It results when normal-appearing calcium crystals in the inner ear become dislodged.
• Vestibular Neuronitis or Labyrinthitis. Results from inflammation or infection of the inner ear.
• Meniere’s Disease. Excess build-up of fluid in the inner ear. Hearing loss accompanies the vertigo.
• Migraine. Vertigo can be seen just before or during a migraine headache episode.
Dizziness and vertigo require a multi-disciplinary approach that begins with a thorough evaluation by a primary care physician. Sometimes a neurologist or an ear, nose and throat specialist may become involved. Imaging studies of the brain like a CT scan or MRI are often performed as part of the work-up.
Treatment is also varied depending on the cause. Physical therapy, including vestibular rehabilitation exercises, has been very effective for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Medications such as antibiotics, antihistamines, steroids and migraine medications may also be indicated.
Vertigo is a complex and disabling cause of dizziness. If you wish to learn more about this, go to our Healthy Living blog at healthydocs.blogspot.com and join the conversation. Patients, family members and medical experts on this subject will be sharing information on an ongoing basis. It is only by working together that we can produce positive change.
Anthony G. Alessi, MD, is Chief of Neurology at The William W. Backus Hospital and in private practice at NeuroDiagnostics, LLC in Norwich. To contact Dr. Alessi, email him aalessi@wwbh.org. To purchase his recently published “Healthy Sports: A Doctor’s Lessons for a Winning Lifestyle” book, log on to backushospital.org.
Normal balance requires three principal structures directing accurate information to the brain:
• Eyes. Visual input is key to being oriented in space. Many patients struggle to maintain balance in poorly lit areas and when vision begins to fail.
• Sensory nerves. Nerves conducting sensory impulses, particularly pressure and sensation from the feet, are crucial. Patients suffering from peripheral nerve damage find balance a real challenge.
• Inner Ear. The inner ear serves as a balance mechanism. Similar to the air bubble in a carpenter’s level, any movement of the head will cause the bubble to move. In the inner ear, this bubble moves along fine, hair-like nerve endings that send signals to the brain. An infection or trauma may cause these signals to be distorted.
Vertigo is a particular form of dizziness that involves a false sensation of motion, particularly a feeling that either the person or their surroundings are spinning.
Some common causes of vertigo include:
• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. Typically seen in elderly patients who experience dizziness with a change in position. It results when normal-appearing calcium crystals in the inner ear become dislodged.
• Vestibular Neuronitis or Labyrinthitis. Results from inflammation or infection of the inner ear.
• Meniere’s Disease. Excess build-up of fluid in the inner ear. Hearing loss accompanies the vertigo.
• Migraine. Vertigo can be seen just before or during a migraine headache episode.
Dizziness and vertigo require a multi-disciplinary approach that begins with a thorough evaluation by a primary care physician. Sometimes a neurologist or an ear, nose and throat specialist may become involved. Imaging studies of the brain like a CT scan or MRI are often performed as part of the work-up.
Treatment is also varied depending on the cause. Physical therapy, including vestibular rehabilitation exercises, has been very effective for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Medications such as antibiotics, antihistamines, steroids and migraine medications may also be indicated.
Vertigo is a complex and disabling cause of dizziness. If you wish to learn more about this, go to our Healthy Living blog at healthydocs.blogspot.com and join the conversation. Patients, family members and medical experts on this subject will be sharing information on an ongoing basis. It is only by working together that we can produce positive change.
Anthony G. Alessi, MD, is Chief of Neurology at The William W. Backus Hospital and in private practice at NeuroDiagnostics, LLC in Norwich. To contact Dr. Alessi, email him aalessi@wwbh.org. To purchase his recently published “Healthy Sports: A Doctor’s Lessons for a Winning Lifestyle” book, log on to backushospital.org.
# posted by ----------------- @ 10:10 AM 
