Comprehensive care for dizziness and balance disorders at St. Joseph's/Candler
Dizziness and balance issues are common yet complex problems that can significantly impact your quality of life. Whether you experience lightheadedness, unsteadiness or a spinning sensation, these symptoms can be disorienting and even debilitating. In some cases, they may be accompanied by other issues, such as hearing loss, ringing in the ears (tinnitus) or a sensation of ear fullness. At St. Joseph's/Candler, our specialists are dedicated to helping patients regain their balance through expert diagnosis, advanced testing and personalized treatment plans to get you balanced and your life back on track.
Understanding dizziness and balance issues
Dizziness and imbalance can stem from a variety of underlying conditions, including:
- Inner ear disorders: Conditions such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), labyrinthitis or Ménière's disease can affect your balance system.
- Cardiovascular problems: Irregular blood flow, low blood pressure or heart conditions can lead to dizzy spells.
- Neurological conditions: Disorders of the central nervous system (CNS), such as multiple sclerosis or stroke, can impact balance and coordination.
- Medication side effects: Certain prescription or over-the-counter medications may cause dizziness as a side effect.
Identifying the root cause of your symptoms is the first step toward effective treatment.
Advanced testing for accurate diagnosis
To determine the most appropriate course of treatment, our specialists use advanced diagnostic tools to pinpoint the cause of your dizziness and imbalance. These tests include:
- Videonystagmography (VNG): Assesses inner ear and central motor function by evaluating involuntary eye movements.
- Electronystagmography (ENG): Similar to VNG, this test tracks eye movements to detect vestibular (inner ear) issues.
- Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMPs): Measures muscle responses to sound, helping diagnose specific vestibular disorders.
- Equitest®: A computerized dynamic posturography test that evaluates your ability to maintain balance under different conditions.
- Audiometric Evaluation: Assesses hearing function to identify related auditory issues that may be contributing to dizziness.
These comprehensive tests allow our multidisciplinary team of physicians, audiologists and physical therapists to accurately diagnose and treat your symptoms.
Personalized treatment plans
Once the cause of your dizziness or balance issues is identified, we develop a personalized treatment plan to help you regain stability. Treatment options may include:
- Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): A specialized form of physical therapy designed to improve balance and reduce dizziness through targeted exercises.
- Medication Management: In some cases, medications such as antihistamines, anticholinergics, or vestibular suppressants may be prescribed to alleviate symptoms.
- Surgical Intervention: For more severe or persistent cases, minimally invasive surgery may be considered to correct inner ear abnormalities.
- Lifestyle and Balance Strategies: Our specialists provide guidance on fall prevention, home safety modifications and exercises to enhance stability.
When to seek treatment
If you are experiencing persistent dizziness, vertigo, or imbalance, it is essential to seek medical evaluation. Symptoms that warrant attention include frequent falls or near-falls, difficulty walking or maintaining stability, severe or prolonged episodes of dizziness, associated hearing loss or ringing in the ears or double vision, slurred speech or other neurological symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve your quality of life and reduce the risk of falls or further complications.
Connect with a dizziness and balance specialist
You don’t have to live with the discomfort and uncertainty of dizziness. If you are experiencing symptoms, consult your physician for a referral to our dizziness and balance specialists. For more information, resources or to schedule an evaluation, please contact Oto-Neurology at 912-819-2479.