| Dizziness is the second most common complaint | | | | Diagnosing vestibular disorders |
| heard in the doctor's office, and the number one | | | | A physician will diagnose your particular problem |
| malady of people older than 70. In the past, those | | | | by performing a complete medical history, a |
| with dizziness or balance problems had nowhere | | | | neurotologic examination, and tests of hearing and |
| to turn; there simply were no effective | | | | balance function. Blood tests for allergies, |
| treatments. If you suffered from dizziness, you | | | | autoimmune inner ear disease (allergies to your |
| were probably told, "You'll have to live with it." | | | | own ear tissue), or hormonal imbalance may also |
| That's not the case today. An alternate form of | | | | be necessary. In addition, an ultrasound test which |
| therapy, vestibular rehabilitation, can help you | | | | evaluates the blood circulation around the brain |
| overcome dizziness and the helpless feelings | | | | and/or imaging studies with CT or MRI and a |
| associated with it. | | | | consultation with a neurologist or cardiologist might |
| But before we discuss the treatment, let's | | | | be indicated. Once a diagnosis is made, the |
| examine how the balance system works. Three | | | | physician (neurotologist) will be able to determine if |
| sensory systems gather information regarding | | | | vestibular rehabilitation therapy will benefit you. In |
| your body's position and movement in space: the | | | | some cases, this can be used as an alternative to |
| visual, vestibular (semicircular canals and otoliths), | | | | medication or surgery. Results have been |
| and somatosensory (touch, joint and muscle | | | | rewarding, even in the elderly. |
| receptors) systems. These systems transmit | | | | The vestibular rehabilitation therapist |
| information to your brain's central processor, the | | | | A vestibular rehabilitation therapist with create a |
| cerebellum. | | | | therapy program specifically for you. First he ro |
| The balance response is carried out by the motor | | | | she will discuss your symptoms, and then assess |
| system located here - the right and left vestibular | | | | your musculoskeletal system by testing the |
| systems, which are key to maintaining balance | | | | strength, coordination, and range of movement in |
| because they provide the brain with information | | | | your arms and legs. Your balance and gait are also |
| about your head movement and position. Disease | | | | evaluated by observing if you need to touch |
| in one vestibular system will send erroneous | | | | objects, fix your eyes on stationary objects, and |
| information to your brain and cause vertigo or | | | | what hip and ankle strategy you use to maintain |
| imbalance. | | | | your balance. |
| Vision helps orient the body in space by | | | | After careful analysis, the vestibular rehabilitation |
| referencing vertical and horizontal axes of objects | | | | therapist designs a specific home exercise |
| around you. The somatosensory system gives | | | | program suited to your particular needs. You will |
| your brain information regarding support surfaces | | | | keep a weekly log of your progress, which is |
| and the motion of your body's parts in relation to | | | | evaluated by the physician and the vestibular |
| one another. | | | | rehabilitation therapist. You will meet with the |
| Balance can be maintained if you suffer a loss of | | | | therapist once or twice a week for several |
| one of these three sensory systems, but when | | | | months, all the while continuing the exercises at |
| more than one system is lost balance difficulties | | | | home. |
| like dizziness occur. And this is where vestibular | | | | It is important for you to understand that your |
| rehabilitation comes in. | | | | symptoms may become worse before they |
| How does vestibular rehabilitation work? | | | | improve. Even so, therapy should continue in |
| There are three methods of vestibular | | | | order to overcome the problems. |
| rehabilitation. The first is habituation, which means | | | | Benefits of vestibular rehabilitation therapy |
| that by continually repeating the actions that bring | | | | The benefits of vestibular rehabilitation vary |
| on dizziness or vertigo you will eventually | | | | depending on the cause of your problem and how |
| accustom your body to those actions. The | | | | well your central nervous system compensates. If |
| second process involves balance retraining | | | | your condition does not improve within three |
| exercises that help reduce unsteadiness and | | | | months, the therapy is usually discontinued. |
| imbalance. The third aspect deals with head-eye | | | | Vestibular rehabilitation has helped many people |
| coordination exercises that help reduce | | | | overcome the physical sensations and discomfort |
| gaze-induced dizziness. | | | | associated with dizziness and vertigo. But its |
| Specific exercises customized to your particular | | | | psychological benefits are perhaps the most |
| needs will help decrease dizziness and increase | | | | rewarding. Returning to a normal lifestyle, no |
| balance function, and may also increase your | | | | longer afraid of falling, and taking control of your |
| general activity levels. | | | | body is worth more than words can say. |