ENT DOCTOR BLOG
Posts for: May, 2018
Many people experience dizziness from time to time, which is normal and usually not cause for concern. See a doctor if the dizziness is severe, gets progressively worse, is associated with hearing loss, or occurs after taking a specific medication. Additionally, see a doctor if you suddenly feel dizzy when you have never before experienced dizziness. Otolaryngologists treat problems of the inner ear, head, nose, throat, and neck, such as dizziness. Dr. William Bond is your doctor of otolaryngology in Washington, D.C., for the diagnosis and treatment of dizziness.
Causes of Dizziness
The inner ear helps you maintain a sense of balance. Signals sent from the inner ear to the brain let your brain know about your body’s orientation or positioning at any given time, as well as whether you are still or in motion. The feeling of being dizzy occurs when the signal from the inner ear misfires or gets blocked before reaching the brain. Several factors and conditions can interfere with the inner ear’s ability to send signals to the brain and, subsequently, cause dizziness. Causes of dizziness include:
- Vertigo
- Anxiety
- Poor circulation
- Certain neurological diseases
Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness often accompanied by nausea and/or vomiting. Causes of vertigo include:
- Skull fractures
- Inner ear injuries
- Viral infections
- Migraines
- Meniere’s Disease
- Benign positional vertigo
Treatments for Dizziness
There are several treatments for dizziness. The best treatment for your dizziness will depend on what is causing it. A doctor at a Washington, D.C., otolaryngology practice can diagnose the cause of your dizziness and prescribe an appropriate treatment. Treatments for dizziness include various exercises for balance, as well as antihistamines, antibiotics, and other medications.
There are several possible causes of dizziness. Based on the specific cause of your dizziness, your otolaryngologist can recommend an appropriate treatment. For treatment of your dizziness, schedule an appointment with Dr. Bond, your doctor of otolaryngology in Washington, D.C., by calling the office at (202) 726-7770.
Do you find that certain times of the year it’s difficult to go outdoors without developing watery itchy eyes or sneezing your head off? Does coming in contact with your friends’ pets leave you dealing with red itchy welts on your skin and a runny nose? If you said “yes” to these questions, you could very well be dealing with allergies.
While there isn’t a cure for allergies, there are many ways to treat this issue. If you aren’t finding relief through over-the-counter antihistamines, nasal sprays, and other allergy medications, it’s time to turn to an otolaryngologist for help. It’s important that you don’t just ignore your allergy symptoms, as they can often get worse if left untreated.
First and foremost, it’s important to figure out what is causing your allergy symptoms to flare-up. Everything from pollen, mold dust, dust mites, dander, and mildew could be causing your symptoms. The sooner you and your ENT doctor are able to get to the root of your flare-ups the easier it will be to treat your allergies.
While an otolaryngologist may choose to prescribe medication to help you better manage your symptoms, there are also a variety of lifestyle modifications you can incorporate into your daily routine to reduce flare-ups.
For starters, it’s important to reduce how often you come in contact with the offending allergen. This may require you to close your windows during the day, vacuum the carpets and furniture a few times a week, bathe your trusty pet regularly, use an air purifier with a HEPA filter in your bedroom, or place a protective covering over your mattress.
Even though some people may find relief from commercial allergy products, those dealing with persistent or moderate-to-severe allergies may require a more specific and stronger medication. There are a variety of prescription nasal sprays, eye drops, and other antihistamines that can reduce congestion, eye redness and itching, and other allergy complaints. Of course, if these lifestyle changes and medications aren’t enough to get your symptoms under control then your allergy specialist may discuss the pros and cons of getting allergy shots.
Don’t let allergies get the better of you. There are ways to get your allergies under control so they don’t control you. Don’t fight your allergy alone; turn to an ENT specialist for help.