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ENT DOCTOR BLOG
Posts for tag: Dizziness
As kids, most of us loved putting out our arms and spinning and spinning until we fell dizzy. Of course, experiencing a spinning world around us when we are planted firmly on earth or aren’t on an amusement park ride, can feel incredibly scary. Welcome to the world of those with vertigo. Vertigo is a condition that makes you feel off-balance, lightheaded, and perhaps a bit disoriented. If this is happening to you here’s what you should know.Vertigo and dizziness are different
Vertigo makes you feel as if you are moving even though you are standing still. The room around you may spin. You may feel nauseous, or you may even vomit if the vertigo is severe. Dizziness, on the other hand, occurs when you simply feel off-balance or lightheaded. Vertigo truly makes you feel as if you are spinning.
Vertigo is typically the result of a health problem
Vertigo is usually a symptom of an underlying medical condition that impacts the function of the inner ear. How do we know that? Within our inner ears lie our vestibular system, which helps us stay oriented and balanced. Every day, an ENT doctor diagnoses and treats a variety of conditions and diseases that impact the vestibular system and cause vertigo. Some of the most common causes of vertigo include,
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
- Labyrinthitis
- Meniere’s disease
- Vestibular neuritis
- Head injuries
- Stroke
- Multiple sclerosis
- Colds
There are many ways to treat vertigo
It’s important for an ENT doctor to first determine the cause of your vertigo before prescribing any medications or treatments. We need to treat the underlying cause effectively to get rid of your vertigo. Some of how we may treat your vertigo include,
- Medications: Antibiotics or steroids are prescribed to treat infections or inflammation, while other medications may help alleviate nausea and vomiting caused by the vertigo
- Vestibular rehabilitation: If you deal with chronic or recurring bouts of vertigo your ENT may recommend vestibular rehab to help retrain the vestibular system to be able to better recognize the spatial orientation
- Canalith repositioning maneuvers: This technique is most often used to treat benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and uses certain head movements to reposition calcium deposits within the canal of the inner ear
It’s normal to experience bouts of dizziness if we are stressed, taking certain medications or haven’t eaten in a while; however, what might be going on if your dizziness persists? Dizziness isn’t an uncommon symptom. In fact, most people will experience dizziness that is serious enough to warrant seeing a doctor. While you may visit a family physician to find out what’s going on, don’t be surprised if you end up being referred to an ear, nose & throat doctor.
What causes dizziness?
Dizziness refers to a serious of sensations that make you feel lightheaded, off balance, unsteady or feeling like the world around you is spinning (vertigo). Sometimes dizziness may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting, particularly during more severe episodes. These symptoms can be unnerving but an otolaryngologist can often help.
The most common causes of dizziness that we see include:
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV): This problem affects the inner ear and can lead to persistent episodes of vertigo. Symptoms usually last no more than a minute and will typically come and go. Unfortunately, there often is no cause of BPPV; however, sometimes migraines or inner ear damage may be to blame. Sometimes this condition will go away on its own but an ENT doctor can also provide you with treatment options such as physical therapy that can get rid of symptoms sooner.
Vestibular neuronitis: Inflammation of the eight cranial nerve, known as the vestibular nerve, results in severe vertigo episodes that may cause you to lose balance. This condition can also cause nausea and vomiting. Symptoms usually last anywhere from 7 to 10 days and become milder over the course of several months. A viral or bacterial infection is usually to blame for inflammation of the vestibular nerve.
There are certain medications that can be prescribed by an ENT specialist to help lessen the severity and duration of your symptoms. Sometimes a special type of physical therapy is performed to treat this condition.
Labyrinthitis: This inner ear disorder occurs when one of the two vestibular nerves becomes inflamed. Along with dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and nausea you may also lose hearing in one ear. Any changes to your hearing warrant immediate medical attention. Viral, respiratory, and bacterial infections can all cause this disorder.
Medications such as corticosteroids, sedatives and antihistamines may be prescribed to help with your symptoms. Just like with vestibular neuronitis, a type of physical therapy known as vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) may also be recommended.
Meniere disease: This progressive inner ear condition also causes similar symptoms to labyrinthitis including tinnitus, hearing loss, pressure in the ears, and dizziness. Symptoms will gradually get worse over time, and these attacks may also cause a rapid pulse, blurry vision and anxiety.
While there is no cure, there are treatment options that can effectively manage your dizziness and also reduce fluid in the ear. Medications such as steroids, motion sickness medicines, and diuretics are often used, as well as rehabilitation, therapy, hearing aids, and sometimes surgery.
If you are dealing with dizziness or any other warning signs of an ear problem it’s a good time to turn to an ENT doctor who can help you find the right treatment to get you back on two steady feet again.
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 .jpg)
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.
Dizziness can result from a number of external factors, ranging from dehydration and hunger to severe anxiety and panic attacks. The false sensation of dizziness, which makes it feel like a person's surroundings are spinning when they are actually still, is known as vertigo. Because the inner ear helps to regulate balance, a problem or injury to the inner can interfere with the signals the brain receives 
regarding the body's location relative to its surroundings. This can cause a sense of extreme disorientation and dizziness, even when the person is standing completely still in the middle of an empty room. Problems with the ear are diagnosed and treated by an ear, nose and throat doctor (ENT).
Regular Dizziness or Vertigo? What You Need to Know
Everyone experiences a bout of dizziness from time to time, which is completely normal. Prolonged and frequent dizziness that is accompanied by other symptoms typically results from an underlying cause. An ENT can determine whether dizziness is caused by an injury or malfunction in the inner ear.
What Do the Ears Have to Do With Motion and Balance?
The human ear consists of three parts - the inner, middle and outer ear. The brain receives signals and input from the sensory system, which helps it to process information regarding a person's surroundings and fixed point in space in relation to gravity and motion. The inner ear contains sensors that work in conjunction with the eyes and sensory nerves to help the brain accurately process the signals and create a full picture detailing where we are at any given moment. A problem in the inner ear is like a short circuit that disturbs the brain's ability to accurately assess a person's surroundings, resulting in the feeling that the room or surrounding objects are spinning because the information the inner ear is sending the brain does not match with what the eyes and sensory nerves are processing.
What Causes Vertigo?
Infections and fluid buildup in the ear can cause vertigo and interfere with hearing. Migraine sufferers can also experience vertigo as part of their symptoms. The most common form of vertigo is caused by rapid head movements, like standing up too quickly from a seated position, or from trauma to the head. Contact an ENT specialist for persistent dizziness to determine whether treatment is necessary and to prevent complications like hearing impairment or loss.
Dizziness can be a worrying and even scary symptom, especially if you do not know the cause. If you experience dizziness, your ear, 
nose, and throat doctor can help you get to the root of the problem and determine what, if any, the underlying conditions are causing your dizziness. Learn more about diagnosing dizziness and what it means to you with Dr. William R. Bond Jr. in Washington, DC.
What causes my dizziness?
Many factors can cause dizziness though some are more common than others. Vertigo, dizziness and motion sickness are all commonly related back to a patient’s balance. When the balance is thrown off, the body experiences dizziness. This can relate back to inner ear disorders, circulation, anxiety, migraine headaches, infection or injury, anxiety, or even allergies.
Diagnosing Dizziness
If you experience dizziness in conjunction with a high fever, a head injury, continued vomiting, chest pain, or fainting, you should seek immediate emergency medical attention. If you think your dizziness comes as a side effect from medication, notice hearing loss, or have never had a dizzy spell before, you should contact your doctor.
Diagnosing your dizziness will include a physical examination and a myriad of questions about your health, lifestyle and family and medical history. Your doctor may also use CT scans or MRIs to further aid in the diagnostic process. After pinpointing the underlying condition, treatment can begin to help quell your symptoms.
Dizziness Treatments in Washington, DC
Treating dizziness varies from patient to patient based on their diagnosis. A large part of treating this condition lies in preventing it from occurring in the first place. Avoiding standing or sitting too quickly, tobacco and alcohol, stress and turning your head too quickly can help prevent dizziness. Treating conditions tied to dizziness also help eliminate this symptom.
For more information on dizziness and its treatments, please contact Dr. William R. Bond Jr. in Washington, DC. Call (202) 726-7770 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Bond today!
