Vestibular Disorders and Dizziness: Symptoms, Causes and Treatments

Contributions by: Andrew Grahovec and Emily Moore, PT, DPT, CCVT

Have you ever felt like the world was moving around you, or turned too quickly and had a wave of dizziness come over you? You are not alone. Vestibular dysfunction is a common feeling that approximately 69 million Americans have experienced at some point in their lives. Many patients are often dismissed or told they have dizziness or vertigo and that it would go away. Statistics show that vestibular dysfunction results in more than six million physician visits each year and that 80 percent of older adults in outpatient settings show symptoms. It also increases the risk of falls, which are the leading cause of hospital admissions and accidental deaths in older adults.

What are the Symptoms of a Vestibular Disorder?

A majority of adults living with vestibular disorders often go undiagnosed and untreated, resulting in a diminished quality of life and inability to perform the normal activities of daily living. Patients suffering from vestibular disorders often experience:

• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Positional or persistent vertigo
• Nausea
• Impaired postural control

Effects of Vestibular Dysfunction

The main symptoms (vertigo, dizziness and imbalance) frequently lead to physical, emotional and cognitive consequences. The physical disabilities and complications are more commonly referenced and discussed between patients and physicians. The emotional and mental distress that patients endure has only recently become a larger part of the conversation.

Half of patients suffering from vestibular dysfunction find themselves battling with some form of psychological illness, like depression or extreme anxiety, causing a diminished quality of life and increased difficulty performing activities of daily living. Frequently, other symptoms progress and develop, affecting the patient’s cognitive abilities: diminishing memory, word-recall, concentration, reading skills and mental stamina.

The Benefits of Physical Therapy for Dizziness

Dizziness is not an issue to be taken lightly. But where does physical therapy come in? There are more than 30 different causes of dizziness. It can be vestibular (inner ear, balance organ), cardiovascular or even medication side effects. A physical therapist that specializes in vestibular disorders can help determine your cause of dizziness and the appropriate treatment plan.

Common Causes of Dizziness

A common result for experiencing symptoms of dizziness is a result from an underlying vestibular issue. So, what exactly is the vestibular system? It is a collection of structures in your inner ear that provides a sense of balance and spatial orientation. With aging, there is a decline in vestibular system function that can leave an underlying feeling of dizziness.

Migraine-ASsociated Dizziness

However, that isn’t the only cause! Did you know that there is also migraine-associated dizziness? Research shows that those that suffer from migraines are at a predisposition for vestibular dysfunction. Just like sinus or ear infections, a viral infection can attack the nerve to the inner ear that can result in dizziness and occasional hearing loss. This leaves a feeling of intense dizziness and often nausea for hours or even days.

Vertigo Dizziness

Last, but not least, the “crystals” in the inner ear can get loose and lead to vertigo, better known as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). This is the most common cause of dizziness and perhaps the easiest to treat. These crystals, formally known as “otoconia,” are naturally found in the inner ear, in the utricle. Occasionally, they will dislodge and find their way into one of the three semicircular canals in the inner ear. It is at this time that certain head movements or positions will cause them to move and leave an intense, but brief feeling of vertigo, formally defined as the illusion of movement.

Physical Therapy for Vestibular Disorders at ATI

If you’re experiencing symptoms of vertigo, dizziness or imbalance, an ATI physical therapist — through Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) — has the training to find the underlying causes and develop the most appropriate treatment plan based on your individual needs. VRT may help control symptoms, reduce functional disabilities and improve overall quality of life.

Don’t waste another minute suffering from dizziness. ATI vestibular specialists are here to help and can direct you to your nearest ATI Physical Therapy clinic for a complimentary screening to determine if vestibular rehabilitation is right for you.