Each year, many people complain of dizziness, unsteadiness, vertigo and balance issues. There are various causes for these symptoms. However, a significant percentage of these come from a problem with the area of the inner ear and brain that helps control balance and eye movements. This is known as the vestibular system. If there is an illness or injury that causes damage to this system, vestibular problems can occur.
Vestibular symptoms can vary between light dizziness to severe vertigo, which can last from a few seconds to several months/years.
Here is a list of symptoms that can occur:
- Dizziness
- Vertigo
- Balance issues
- Spinning sensation
- Difficulty concentrating or reading
- Disorientation
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache
- Light or noise sensitivity
- Poor tolerance of crowds
Vestibular rehabilitation
Vestibular rehabilitation is an approach focused on exercises to relieve symptoms and discomfort of vestibular problems. Dizziness, vertigo, unsteadiness and balance issues can all be treated with an exercise program specifically designed with the needs of the patient.
What causes vestibular problems?
Vestibular problems are common, and can affect people of all ages and lifestyles. They are more often caused by:
- Brain trauma (motor vehicle accidents, falls, impact sports)
- Inner ear infection
- Aging
- Illness
- Medications
- Cerebral vascular accidents (AVC) and cerebral lesion (brain-damage)
- Unknown origin
Treatments for vestibular problems
Treatments for vestibular disorders vary according to the diagnosis. Vestibular rehabilitation is a drug free approach, involving specific exercises to improve balance, reduce dizziness and improve the general activity level of the patient. Your program could include one or more of the following treatments:
- Balance training exercises
- Specific vestibular exercises
- Therapy sessions supervised to control the progress and continuously challenging the vestibular system, visual and proprioceptive.
- Repositioning techniques for B.P.P.V. (benign positional paroxysmal vertigo), a condition in which there are minerals (crystals) in the inner ear.
