Vestibular Disturbance
A vestibular disturbance occurs when there is a problem with the inner ear or the parts of the brain responsible for balance. This can affect a person’s sense of stability and movement, leading to symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, and unsteadiness.
Common Symptoms
- Vertigo: A sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving.
Example: Feeling as though the room is spinning when you roll over in bed or look upwards. - Balance difficulties (Imbalance): Problems standing, sitting upright, or walking steadily.
Example: Staggering while walking down a corridor or needing to hold onto furniture for support. - Nausea and vomiting: Feeling sick or experiencing episodes of vomiting due to dizziness.
Example: Feeling nauseous during a vertigo episode while travelling in a car or after sudden head movements. - Visual disturbances: Blurred vision or involuntary eye movements (nystagmus).
Example: Difficulty focusing on a sign while walking or noticing that objects appear to jump or move. - Hearing-related symptoms: Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) or hearing loss.
Example: Hearing a constant buzzing sound in one ear or finding conversations harder to hear during a flare-up.
Common Causes
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): Caused by small crystals becoming displaced within the inner ear, leading to brief episodes of vertigo when the head changes position.
- Labyrinthitis and Vestibular Neuritis: Inflammation or infection affecting the inner ear or the vestibular nerve.
- Ménière’s Disease: A condition involving excess fluid in the inner ear, which can cause vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing changes.
- Vestibular Migraine: Migraine-related dizziness or balance problems that may occur with or without a headache.
Treatment and Management
Treatment depends on the underlying cause but may include:
- Vestibular rehabilitation therapy: A programme of specialised exercises designed to improve balance and reduce dizziness.
- Medication: Short-term use of medicines to relieve nausea, dizziness, or motion sickness symptoms.
- Lifestyle changes: Avoiding sudden head movements, reducing salt intake where appropriate, staying well rested, and following medical advice.
For further information, assessment, and treatment options, please call us on 02088471887 or email us on reception@ealingphysio.co.uk to see if we could help your condition.