Balance Problems

If you get dizzy, have trouble walking or fall frequently, you might have a neurological problem.

Do you feel dizzy, light-headed or woozy on a regular basis? Or do you feel like your head is spinning or floating? Then you may have a balance disorder or an inner ear (vestibular) disorder.

It is important to get help as soon as possible. People who have balance disorders often wind up disabled, unemployed and in a wheelchair—but they don’t have to. Most balance disorders can be treated effectively.

The Balance and Vestibular Center can quickly diagnose the cause of your balance problems so you can begin treatment immediately and return to a better quality of life. Possible causes are:

• Vision or hearing loss
• Inner ear (vestibular) dysfunction
• Degenerative diseases of the brain or nervous system
• Blocked artery in the brain
• Infection

About 20 percent of dizziness problems in general and 50 percent in older people are caused by debris that collects in the inner ear. When you change positions, like getting out of bed or a chair, you get dizzy. This is called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

You also may not have a balance problem at all. One of the symptoms of a balance problem is frequent falls. Falls aren’t always caused by an inner ear or nervous system problem. Sometimes they are caused by weakness in the legs. Our doctors are neurologists, but they don’t automatically assume your problem is a nervous system problem. They look for other reasons, too.

In addition to diagnosing and treating the underlying cause of your balance problem, this complete program includes:

• Exercises and therapies to prevent disability and restore mobility
• Education about the cause of your balance disorder
• Suggestions for how you can prevent falls at home
• Research into innovative approaches to treatment of dizziness and vertigo caused by a wide array of disorders

ARTICLE TOOLS: