Balance Disorders/Vestibular Disorders

How do falls and imbalance occur?

• Leg Weakness
• Difficulty with walking
• Vision problems (e.g. Macular Degeneration)
• Medical condition (e.g. Parkinson disease and stroke)
• Taking more than 4 medications at same time
• Low blood pressure
• Home hazards (e.g. throw rugs and pets underfoot)

What can cause dizziness and result in falling?

• Multiple factors can cause dizziness such as medication, neurological issues such as strokes and aneurysms, heart conditions, vascular problems such as clots, hormone disorders and vestibular dysfunctions.

What is vestibular dysfunction?

• The Vestibular system is a part of the body found in the inner ear that tells the body where it is in space (e.g. moving forward, moving back, turning to right and left).
• When an injury happens to the vestibular system it can create spinning symptoms called "vertigo".
• Some diagnoses that can cause vertigo are BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo), labyrinthitis which is usually due to infection in this area, vestibular neuritis which is infection of the vestibular nerve, and Meniere's Disease to name a few.
• One of the more common diagnosis of vertigo treated in physical therapy is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). BPPV occurs when tiny crystals, that are a normal part of the inner ear's anatomy, detach and collect in the wrong area of the inner ear, resulting in vertigo with head or body movements. BPPV can be treated by specific head maneuvers that move the displaced crystals back in place. The physical therapist will evaluate you to determine the diagnosis.

How can a physical therapist help prevent falling and decrease dizziness symptoms?

• Specialized exercises led by a physical therapist are effective for decreasing fall frequency, improving balance, and improving quality of life.
• A physical therapist can evaluate a person's fall risk and create an individualized treatment plan to address weakness, imbalance and dizziness.
• A physical therapist will educate patients on safety in the home and community to decrease falls. (e.g. clearing throw rugs and obstacles)

Call us today for an appointment to have your balance and/or vertigo evaluated and decrease your risk for falling.