Dizziness and Imbalance Care

Regain your balance

Remember enjoying the tilt-a-wheel ride at the amusement park when you were a kid? Even after the ride stopped, it still felt like the world was spinning and you couldn’t walk in a straight line. If you’ve been feeling dizzy and off-balance but haven’t been on a tilt-a-wheel lately, it could be vertigo.

Vertigo is an inner ear condition that affects the vestibular system, which regulates your equilibrium, balance, and posture. If you have vertigo, you may feel disoriented and have a hard time standing still or walking in a straight line. This can be dangerous because it increases your risk of falling and suffering a serious injury.

At West Jefferson Medical Center, we specialize in diagnosing and treating vertigo and other related balance disorders. We offer comprehensive, personalized care to help you regain control and stability so you can get back to doing the things you love — even amusement park rides.

Understanding vertigo

Vertigo is best described as a sensation of spinning or dizziness. It can make you feel like your world is spinning, like everything around you is off balance. It often comes with nausea, vomiting, and unsteadiness, making it difficult to work or participate in everyday life events.

Learning the underlying cause of your vertigo is the first step toward treating it.

Causes of vertigo

Vertigo can be triggered by various factors, including:

• Earwax buildup — Surprisingly, excessive earwax can disrupt the balance mechanism within the inner ear, causing vertigo.
• Head injuries — Traumatic head injuries may damage the inner ear or the brain, leading to balance problems.
• Inflammation — Infections or inflammation of the inner ear, known as vestibular neuritis, can result in vertigo.
• Inner ear disorders — Problems within the inner ear such as Meniere's disease or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) can lead to vertigo.
• Vestibular migraines — Certain types of migraines can cause recurring episodes of vertigo.

Other common balance disorders

In addition to vertigo, these or other balance disorders can affect your stability:

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) — a brief, intense sensation of vertigo because of a specific positional change of the head
• Labyrinthitis — inflammation of the inner ear structure
• Mal de debarquement syndrome (MdDS) — a persistent sensation of rocking or swaying after a cruise or flight
• Meniere’s disease — an inner ear fluid, balance disorder that causes episodes of vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus, and the sensation of fullness in the ear
• Perilymph fistula — leakage of inner ear fluid into the middle ear
• Superior canal dehiscence syndrome (SCDS) — an opening in the inner ear bone, leading to vertigo triggered by loud noises or pressure changes

Treatment options for vertigo

We use cutting-edge diagnostic techniques and customized treatment plans to address your specific vertigo symptoms. Treatment options may include these or others:

• Canalith repositioning procedures — maneuvers to reposition displaced crystals in the inner ear (commonly used for BPPV)
• Lifestyle modifications — changes to daily activities to avoid triggers and maintain a balanced lifestyle
• Medication — prescription medicine to ease symptoms associated with vertigo
• Repositioning maneuvers — movements to treat vertigo symptoms and eventually make it disappear
• Surgical intervention — in some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct underlying issues causing vertigo
• Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) — specialized exercises to improve balance and reduce dizziness

At West Jefferson, we’re dedicated to providing the expert care you deserve. To explore all your balance-related treatment options, call us directly at 504.934.8550 or schedule an appointment online.