Dizziness is the feeling of lightheadedness that makes an individual struggle with balance or a sense of spinning. Vertigo is the term for dizziness that causes you to feel as though you or your surroundings are spinning. While dizziness may not be a condition on its own, it may be a critical symptom of underlying problems or other illnesses, mainly when it occurs with other symptoms.
Dizziness is one of the most common complaints that doctors attend to. It may result from several conditions ranging from physical illnesses to psychological disturbances. Usually, dizziness goes on its own after a period; however, it may persist for a long time, requiring treatment. Frequent dizziness episodes can affect the overall quality of your life. The treatment method for dizziness depends on its causes and symptoms. This article will discuss various treatment methods for dizziness in Scottsdale at FYZICAL South Scottsdale.]
Causes of Dizziness
The following are the conditions that can make an individual feel dizzy:
Inner Ear Problems
Our eyes, sensory nerves, and inner ear work together to create a sense of balance. The inner ear has sensors that feel gravity and forward/backward motion. Infections or diseases that affect the inner ear may cause one to feel frequent dizziness. Common inner ear infections and diseases include:
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV): This is one of the most common inner ear disorders. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo can be a result of sudden head movement or a direct blow or trauma to the head. This condition makes you feel as if you are moving or spinning suddenly. While occasional BBPV is usually nothing to be worried about, it may be a sign of serious problems when it occurs in older people (65 years upwards) or leads to constant falls.
- Vestibular infection: The vestibular nerve in the inner ear is primarily responsible for eye movements and maintenance of balance. However, this nerve can get infected and lead to a condition known as vestibular neuritis. This condition causes dizziness and intense, persistent vertigo.
- Labyrinthitis: This term refers to the inflammation of the labyrinth – an important inner ear system. This condition can lead to dizziness and vertigo.
- Meniere’s disease: This condition is a balance disorder. It is a rare disorder that affects the inner ear. While the exact causes of Meniere’s disease are unknown, it may result from excessive fluid buildup or pressure deep in the inner ear.
Medical Conditions
Several medical conditions may have dizziness in Scottsdale as their symptoms. Medical conditions that may cause dizziness include:
- Migraines: People who have a history of migraines may develop vestibular migraine. This condition is a nervous system problem leading to frequent episodes of dizziness.
- Low blood pressure: Blood circulation problems such as a sudden drop in blood pressure or poor blood circulation can cause dizziness.
- Neurological conditions: Some neurological disorders, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and some tumors, can cause dizziness and loss of balance.
- Anxiety disorders: Certain mental health conditions, such as anxiety disorders, can also cause frequent dizziness.
Other causes of dizziness include side effects of certain medications, anemia, hypoglycemia, overheating, alcohol, motion sickness, dehydration, etc.
How is Dizziness Diagnosed?
The diagnosis of dizziness is straightforward. During diagnosis, your doctor may ask about your medical history, symptoms, and medications. The doctor may also perform a physical examination to evaluate your blood pressure and other important vitals. Other tests you may undergo during a physical evaluation to diagnose dizziness include eye movement testing, positional testing, head movement testing, posturography, rotary chair testing, etc. Depending on the severity of the dizziness, an individual may be required to undergo an MRI or CT scan of the inner ear and brain.
Treatment Methods for Dizziness
There are several treatment methods for dizziness. However, physical therapy in Scottsdale, AZ, is one of the most common and effective non-invasive treatments for dizziness.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is a healthcare practice that aims to promote, maintain, and restore physical health through examination, diagnosis, intervention, and rehabilitation. The most common physical therapy interventions used to treat dizziness include:
Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT)
Vestibular rehabilitation is a unique form of physical therapy that aims to solve the primary and secondary problems caused by vestibular disorders. The vestibular nerve resides in the inner ear. It maintains balance, eye movements, and communication between the brain and the inner ear. The vestibular nerve may be affected by diseases, infections, or accidents. Problems with the vestibular nerve disrupt the signals sent to the brain, leading to a false sense of movement and balance.
Vestibular rehabilitation therapy consists of exercise programs that improve an individual’s quality of life by treating and maintaining their dizziness and balance issues. It manages and aims to eradicate the symptoms of dizziness by retraining the vestibular system. Vestibular rehabilitation therapy involves the following treatment options:
Habituation Exercise
Habituation is a treatment method that frequently exposes patients to stimuli that trigger their symptoms until they get used to it. This vestibular rehabilitation therapy exercise is suitable for people whose dizziness results from visual stimuli or self-induced motion. During this vestibular rehabilitation therapy, patients consistently face visual stimuli and perform motions that trigger their dizziness. Over time, patients build tolerance for these stimuli, and the brain learns to handle them and prevent dizziness.
Epley Maneuver
This vestibular rehabilitation therapy treatment option is only suitable for people whose dizziness results from Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Epley maneuver is a series of head and body movements that helps to relieve symptoms of dizziness. It repositions the canaliths and treats BPPV.
Gaze Stability Training
Gaze stability training involves exercises that train the eyes to improve focus whenever the head moves. It strengthens the vestibular system and prevents an individual from experiencing dizziness symptoms during movement.
Other treatment options in vestibular rehabilitation therapy include balance retraining, stretching and strengthening exercises, gait drills, etc.
Conclusion
Frequent dizziness episodes can hinder you from carrying out your daily activities comfortably and negatively affect your overall quality of life. Dizziness has various causes and can signify the presence of mild to severe conditions. If you experience frequent dizziness episodes, you can benefit from physical therapy at FYZICAL South Scottsdale.