I’m dizzy/My balance is off

Dizziness is a common complaint and is experienced by nearly everyone at one time or another. Dizziness is defined as any non-painful discomfort of the head.

There are many things that can cause dizziness, and there are basically three types. The first is vertigo, defined as a feeling of movement, which may be a sensation of spinning, falling, or floating. The second is disequilibrium, or a feeling of being off balance. In this condition you may weave when trying to walk or even fall down. The third type of dizziness is lightheadedness, which is a feeling like you might pass out. If you have dizziness, this may or may not indicate a problem in the inner ear, the organ responsible for our sense of balance.

Common causes for dizziness include benign positional vertigo, Meniere’s disease, viral infections, migraines, circulatory problems, metabolic conditions, and medications. In order to treat dizziness effectively, the correct diagnosis must be made about what is causing it, as only then can the proper treatment be prescribed. The optimal treatment for dizziness is usually not simply a pill, such as meclizine, which merely covers up the symptoms, but something more focused on the underlying cause. This may include medication, repositioning maneuvers, surgery, or physical therapy.

If you are bothered by dizziness, you should see a specialist, such as an otologist or neuro-otologist. Our team of physicians at the SHEA EAR CLINIC have the background, training, and experience to diagnose and treat most forms of dizziness using innovative and state of the art techniques and procedures. Thank you.