vertigo

Vertigo and Dizziness

Helping Patients Move With Confidence

Episodes of unsteadiness can be debilitating and anxiety-provoking. There is often a connection between balance and the inner ear—and by diagnosing the root cause of your balance problems, our team can develop a customized treatment plan that brings you relief. Virginia Ear Nose and Throat in Richmond, VA proudly uses state-of-the-art equipment for assessing balance problems and evidence-based treatment techniques.

Symptoms of Vertigo and Dizziness

Vertigo and dizziness are feelings of unsteadiness, weakness or the sensation that the room is spinning. Patients with vertigo and dizziness may experience short episodes or bursts of the following symptoms:

  • Weakness

  • Unsteadiness

  • Sensation that the room is spinning

  • Feeling woozy

  • Light-headedness

  • Swaying

  • Feeling as though you are tilting

In addition to these symptoms, patients may also experience:

  • Headache

  • Feelings of anxiety or uneasiness

Causes of Vertigo and Dizziness

It is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of episodes of unsteadiness. However, there is often a link between the inner ear and balance. The inner ears contain the vestibular system, which helps to regulate overall balance and detects when there is movement of the head. If there is an issue in the inner ear, such as infection or buildup of fluids, this can lead to unsteadiness and disorientation. Examples of inner ear disorders include:

If a patient has Meniere’s disease, they will experience a build-up of fluid in the ear. Over time, this build-up can put pressure on the inner ear, affecting the hearing and leading to longer episodes of unsteadiness.

This inner ear disorder occurs when there is inflammation or infection in the inner ear, impacting the vestibular system.

One of the most common causes of unsteadiness, patients often experience short but intense episodes of disorientation, typically after moving the head quickly. While there is no exact cause of BPPV, it has been tied to head injuries or to particles collecting in the inner ear.

Cervicogenic dizziness is characterized by the presence of imbalance, unsteadiness, disorientation, neck pain, limited cervical range of motion (ROM), and may be accompanied by a headache. 

Motion sensitivity is characterized by nausea, dizziness, and imbalance in response to motion of the visual environment. 

Diagnosis, Treatment and Training
for Vertigo and Dizziness

Diagnosis for inner ear disorders include testing head movements and visual testing, as inner ear conditions can impact gaze stability. Our team will also review your symptom patterns, including how frequently you experience episodes of vertigo and dizziness, how long each episode lasts and the symptoms of these episodes. If your provider suspects that you may be suffering from BPPV, they may utilize infrared goggles to see eye movements during positional testing.

Treatment varies based on your particular symptoms. While some conditions can be remedied during same-day office visits, others may take days or weeks to fully heal. Your Virginia ENT provider will collaborate with you to develop a customized treatment plan, including exercises and training, to help restore the vestibular system. This partnership between therapist and patient is crucial to achieving the best possible outcomes.