Dizziness and balance disorders are the most commonly reported by patients of all ages. Clinicians in almost all disciplines will be faced with evaluating this complex problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is essential to distinguish between the balance disorder as dizziness due to vertigo of the ear (the most common type) or a severe brain disorder such as stroke, transient ischemic attack, etc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dizziness is the second most common complaint in outpatient clinics and is the first complaint for individuals over age 70. Acute or chronic balance problems may limit a person’s everyday living and increase the risk of falls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Balance Disorder can further be classified into two main disorders: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vestibular Disorder<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIt is a condition where the inner ear is involved. It is also called peripheral vertigo, which is presented as a sensation of spinning and accompanied by the patient’s eyes rapidly snapping or jerking to and fro. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This will relate to a sensation that the environment around them is moving. The ear’s vertigo is more likely associated with auditory symptoms (e.g., tinnitus, hearing loss) and nausea and vomiting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Signs and Symptoms of Vestibular Disorders: <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n- A sensation of having motion sickness <\/li>
- Dizziness. <\/li>
- Feeling off-balance. <\/li>
- Feeling as if you are floating or as if the world is spinning. <\/li>
- Blurred vision. <\/li>
- Disorientation. <\/li>
- Falling or stumbling.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Nonvestibular Disorder<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIt is a condition where dizziness may be described as a spinning sensation inside the head and does not report the movement of the environment. Psychophysiologic dizziness is suggested by describing a feeling that they have left their body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Signs and Symptoms of Non-Vestibular Disorder: <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n- Stress <\/li>
- Tiredness & difficulty in Concentration <\/li>
- Lightheaded & dizziness while swimming <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Balance Tests Conducted at the Balance Clinic<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nVestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT)<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nVestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) is a type of physical therapy that focuses on treating vestibular (inner-ear) problems. The goal of VRT is to improve your symptoms by retraining your brain to process information from your inner ear like before the problem started. Three types of exercises are usually prescribed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Habituation<\/li>
- Gaze Stabilization<\/li>
- Balance training<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Video-Nystagmography (VNG) <\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt is a medical test that measures eye movements to diagnose various neurological disorders. Video-nystagmography (VNG) works by recording eye movements through a camera attached to the patient’s forehead. The test takes about 15 minutes and can be done while the patient is sitting up or lying down. Video-nystagmography (VNG) helps identify whether there are problems with the vestibular system, which controls balance and coordination; it can also detect other conditions. One of them is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). This inner ear disorder causes dizziness or sensations of movement after changing position (like rolling over in bed).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP) <\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt is a method of balance assessment that measures the ability to maintain posture with changes in position, orientation, and velocity. CDP also provides information about the effect of sensory input on posture. The device measures postural sway as an individual stands on a moving platform. The platform moves up and down, side-to-side, and rotates around its vertical axis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Video Head Impulse Testing (vHIT) <\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt is a method of measuring balance. It uses a video camera to create an image of the participant’s head. It then measures how quickly it returns to its normal position after tilting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential (VEMP)<\/span> <\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt is a test that measures the response of the muscles in your middle ear to sound. This test can help doctors diagnose disorders of the inner ear and brainstem, such as M\u00e9ni\u00e8re’s disease, vestibular neuritis, stroke, and other conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Electrocochleography (EchoG) <\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt is a non-invasive technique for monitoring the electrical activity of the auditory nerve in response to sounds. The EchoG is used to diagnose and monitor hearing loss, balance disorders, and neurological conditions that affect hearing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- A sensation of having motion sickness <\/li>
- Dizziness. <\/li>
- Feeling off-balance. <\/li>
- Feeling as if you are floating or as if the world is spinning. <\/li>
- Blurred vision. <\/li>
- Disorientation. <\/li>
- Falling or stumbling.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Nonvestibular Disorder<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
It is a condition where dizziness may be described as a spinning sensation inside the head and does not report the movement of the environment. Psychophysiologic dizziness is suggested by describing a feeling that they have left their body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Signs and Symptoms of Non-Vestibular Disorder: <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Stress <\/li>
- Tiredness & difficulty in Concentration <\/li>
- Lightheaded & dizziness while swimming <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Balance Tests Conducted at the Balance Clinic<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT)<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) is a type of physical therapy that focuses on treating vestibular (inner-ear) problems. The goal of VRT is to improve your symptoms by retraining your brain to process information from your inner ear like before the problem started. Three types of exercises are usually prescribed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Habituation<\/li>
- Gaze Stabilization<\/li>
- Balance training<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Video-Nystagmography (VNG) <\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It is a medical test that measures eye movements to diagnose various neurological disorders. Video-nystagmography (VNG) works by recording eye movements through a camera attached to the patient’s forehead. The test takes about 15 minutes and can be done while the patient is sitting up or lying down. Video-nystagmography (VNG) helps identify whether there are problems with the vestibular system, which controls balance and coordination; it can also detect other conditions. One of them is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). This inner ear disorder causes dizziness or sensations of movement after changing position (like rolling over in bed).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP) <\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It is a method of balance assessment that measures the ability to maintain posture with changes in position, orientation, and velocity. CDP also provides information about the effect of sensory input on posture. The device measures postural sway as an individual stands on a moving platform. The platform moves up and down, side-to-side, and rotates around its vertical axis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Video Head Impulse Testing (vHIT) <\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It is a method of measuring balance. It uses a video camera to create an image of the participant’s head. It then measures how quickly it returns to its normal position after tilting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential (VEMP)<\/span> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It is a test that measures the response of the muscles in your middle ear to sound. This test can help doctors diagnose disorders of the inner ear and brainstem, such as M\u00e9ni\u00e8re’s disease, vestibular neuritis, stroke, and other conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Electrocochleography (EchoG) <\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It is a non-invasive technique for monitoring the electrical activity of the auditory nerve in response to sounds. The EchoG is used to diagnose and monitor hearing loss, balance disorders, and neurological conditions that affect hearing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/burjeel.com\/abu-dhabi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/07\/Kimlin-George-1.png\")
<\/figure>