Dizziness
Dizziness is a common yet complex sensation that can significantly impact your quality of life. It can feel like the world is spinning (vertigo), a sense of unsteadiness, or a faint, lightheaded feeling. While dizziness itself is not a disease, it’s often a symptom of underlying issues, such as problems with the inner ear, blood flow, or neurological function. At the Balance and Dizziness Center, we understand how unsettling dizziness can be. That’s why we take a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to diagnose and treat the root causes of your symptoms, helping you regain your stability and confidence.
Dizziness isn’t a one-size-fits-all condition. There are several types, each with its own set of characteristics and causes:
- Vertigo: A spinning or whirling sensation often linked to inner ear issues like BPPV or Meniere’s disease.
- Disequilibrium: A feeling of unsteadiness or imbalance, which may stem from neurological conditions or musculoskeletal issues.
- Presyncope: Lightheadedness or a feeling of near-fainting, often caused by low blood pressure or circulatory problems.
- Non-Specific Dizziness: A general feeling of disorientation, which may result from anxiety, stress, or other factors.
Understanding the type of dizziness you’re experiencing is crucial to determining the right treatment. Our expert team is here to help you identify and address the specific type affecting you.
Dizziness can manifest in different ways, depending on the underlying cause. You might feel:
- A spinning sensation (vertigo)
- Unsteadiness or loss of balance
- Lightheadedness, as if you’re about to faint
- Nausea or vomiting
- Difficulty focusing or concentrating
- A sense of floating or wooziness
These symptoms may be brief or persistent, mild or severe, and they can occur alongside headaches, hearing changes, or visual disturbances. Recognizing and describing your symptoms accurately is essential for a correct diagnosis, and our team is here to guide you every step of the way.
Diagnosing the cause of dizziness requires a thorough and thoughtful process. At our center, we begin with a detailed review of your medical history and a comprehensive discussion of your symptoms. A physical examination helps identify potential triggers, and advanced diagnostic tools such as videonystagmography (VNG), audiological evaluations, and imaging studies (like MRI or CT scans) provide deeper insights. We also conduct balance testing to evaluate the function of your vestibular system. This step-by-step approach ensures we pinpoint the cause of your dizziness accurately, so we can create a treatment plan that works for you.
Treating dizziness starts with understanding its cause. At the Balance and Dizziness Center, we believe in personalized care plans tailored to your unique needs. If your dizziness stems from an inner ear issue, vestibular rehabilitation exercises can help retrain your balance system. For migraines or neurological causes, we may recommend medications to reduce symptoms or prevent episodes. Lifestyle adjustments, like improving hydration, managing stress, or avoiding certain triggers, can also make a significant difference. Our goal is to address not just your symptoms but their root cause, giving you lasting relief and a path to a steadier, more comfortable life.