Understanding Dizziness and Balance

Dizziness is a term typically used to describe vertigo, which is the feeling that one is spinning or falling while the environment remains still, or the feeling that one’s environment is spinning while the individual is remaining still. It is a matter of perception, altered by the confusion of the brain as to the position of the body.

Often, dizziness is the result of an inner ear problem. Dizziness can naturally lead to a lack of balance, and the potential for falls.

To understand why dizziness and balance is effected by inner ear problems and head injuries, you must first understand how your body maintains proper balance. There are small calcium particles located in the tubes of the inner ear. These particles bounce around the tubes of the inner ear, sending messages to the brain about the position of the body, whether it is sitting, standing, lying down, etc. This is why the tubes of the inner ear are often referred to as the balance tubes; this is how your body maintains balance.

Most dizziness and balance issues are the result of a build up or break down of these calcium particles in the balance tubes of the inner ear. If one ear has the normal amount of calcium particles, and the other ear has a build up of calcium particles, the brain receives mixed signals about the position of the body. This confusion of the brain is then translated into dizziness and imbalance that cause the person to feel as if they are spinning, whirling, or falling. In these cases, head movement exercises are often a successful and non-evasive treatment.

Dizziness and balance issues can also be caused by a head injury. If there is damage to the connection between the balance tubes of the inner ear and the brain stem, there will be a lack of communication and dizziness or imbalance may result. These cases are much harder to diagnose, and also harder to prescribe treatment. Severe cases may even require surgery.

Neurological problems and diseases can also affect dizziness and balance issues. Multiple sclerosis, stroke, migraine, parkinsons, and other illnesses and diseases can also cause imbalance or dizziness. These health conditions can sometimes appear at first as mild vertigo or imbalance symptoms, then expand into other symptoms leading to diagnoses.

If you are experiencing dizziness and balance issues, you should contact your doctor immediately to schedule a consultation appointment. Your doctor may wish to run various tests to determine the cause of your imbalance, and then work toward a diagnosis and vertigo treatment plan.