Is Your World Spinning?
Dizziness and vertigo are common problems. In fact, the eighth most common
problem seen by family doctors these days. Issues can be caused by injury or disease
to the vestibular system. The vestibular system is the part of the inner ear and brain
that controls balance and equilibrium. If damaged, inaccurate information is relayed
to the brain and can cause dizziness, nausea, loss of balance, ringing in the ears or
vertigo. What’s the difference between dizziness and vertigo you ask? Vertigo is
often described as a spinning sensation, even when you are standing perfectly still.
Most causes of vertigo involve the inner ear, but other conditions such as ear
infections, migraines, tumors or a stroke may also produce these symptoms. It
would be an emergent situation if vertigo were accompanied by double vision,
difficulty speaking, an inability to walk, arm or leg weakness, or a change in
alertness. More serious damage may be involved at the brain and spinal cord level.
Dizziness is described as more of a lightheadedness sensation or feeling faint. Pale
skin and nausea may be associated as well. In addition to inner ear issues, causes of
this type of dizziness could be a drop in blood pressure, cardiomyopathy, abnormal
heart rhythms, medications, and dehydration.
When damaged, the vestibular system may compensate and the brain may adapt to
the inaccurate information it is receiving. Other times, the system needs to be retrained. Physiotherapists with special training in Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy
can successfully treat dizziness and vertigo caused by damage to the vestibular
system. Research has shown that significant improvement or complete resolution of
symptoms can be achieved within 6-8 weeks of rehabilitation. The physiotherapist
may incorporate balance retraining exercises, specific vestibular exercises, special
repositioning maneuver for vertigo caused by Benign Paroxiyminal Positional
Vertigo (BPPV), and monitor the vestibular, balance and visual systems. In addition,
your physiotherapist may prescribe exercises to improve your strength, flexibility
and heart health with the goal of improving your overall health and well being.
Typically, physiotherapists work closely with physicians and other health care
providers in this field, such as at the new clinic in Calgary at the South Health
Campus - The Neurovestibular Program, or “The Dizzy Clinic”. This clinic has been
open since January 2013 and is a neurovestibular rehabilitation program for
patients with ailments of the inner ear that cause dizziness, nausea and balance
problems. This program features the latest diagnostic and rehabilitative technology
and includes specialized doctors, technicians and physiotherapists all under one
roof.
All physiotherapists are trained to treat certain causes of dizziness. Upon
examination it will be determined if your symptoms are coming from the inner ear,
a musculoskeletal dysfunction (joint, muscle, ligament, nerve), the central nervous
system (brain and spinal cord) or general deconditioning.
Physical therapy
treatment for dizziness can take many forms. Certain exercises may be prescribed
that improve your balance, improve coordination, and help the brain “correct”
differences in your inner ear. If more comprehensive vestibular rehabilitation is
recommended, a referral can be sent to a specially trained physiotherapist or a
physicians referral is required to access the neurovestibular rehabilitation program
in Calgary.
Don’t leave these symptoms untreated! Many issues can be effectively treated with
home exercises, balance retraining, and without medication. If more specialized
therapy is required, we can point you in the right direction and get the help you
need.