Dizziness: cause, diagnosis, treatment

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy

Fortunately, most of us go about our daily lives oblivious to the complexity of our body's systems that keep us upright and balanced.
But this only happens until, for some reason, our coordination and balance are disrupted, reminding us how vital simple everyday tasks are. Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) consists of a set of exercises that encourage the brain and spinal cord to restore imbalances that occur due to diseases or abnormalities of the vestibular system or damage to the central nervous system.

This guide will help you understand:

anatomy of the vestibular system
why do we need ART?
What disorders does ART usually treat?

Read also

Nasal congestion in a child

What causes nasal congestion in a child Nasal congestion in a child is a common occurrence.
Most often, this problem is caused by viral infections, such as acute respiratory viral infections, influenza, and less commonly, nasal septum defects,… Read more

Runny nose

What is a runny nose? A runny nose is an excessive secretion of mucus from the nasal cavity, caused by its inflammation. The manifestations of a runny nose can range from clear fluid to thick mucus. Source...

More details

Naphthyzine addiction

In our age of availability of medicines, everyone knows about nasal drops, they have used naphthyzine at least once in their life and have heard about naphthyzine addiction. Some are even so afraid of her that they deliberately...

More details

Hearing loss

Hearing loss is an impairment in the perception of environmental sounds. This disorder occurs in most cases gradually, patients do not immediately understand what is happening and therefore not always in a timely manner...

More details

Sinusitis

Each of us has heard about sinusitis, but not everyone knows what kind of disease it is and why it should be treated under the supervision of an otolaryngologist. Let's find out. Sinusitis is called...

More details

Anatomy

The anatomy and physiology underlying the human body's sense of balance is complex. Many systems are involved, including the brain, spinal cord, eyes, ears, and receptors in the skin, joints, and muscles. Impairment in any of these areas due to injury or illness can negatively impact your sense of balance.

The inner ear, also called the labyrinth, consists of the semicircular canals along with the saccule and the uterus. Collectively, this inner ear system is called the vestibular system or vestibular apparatus.

The inner ear also contains the cochlea, which is the main structure involved in hearing perception.

The three semicircular canals respond to rotational movements of the head. The canals are located at 90 degrees to each other and are filled with a fluid called endolymph. Hair cells are located at the base of each semicircular canal and project into the endolymph. The movement of the head causes movement of the endolymph in the channels, which in turn causes the hair follicles to move accordingly and emit impulses about balance that travel to the brain. Hair cells in the sac and utricle respond to linear acceleration of the head, such as when riding in an elevator or moving forward.

Sensory information from the inner ear is transmitted to the brain through the vestibular portion of the eighth cranial nerve, which is also called the vestibulocochlear nerve. The cochlear part of the nerve transmits hearing information. Certain areas of the brain, particularly the cerebellum and brain stem, as well as parts of the cerebral cortex, process sensory information coming from the inner ear. When both the right and left inner ears send the same information to the brain, the body is balanced. When the body or head moves, the sensory information from the ears is not identical, so the brain perceives the movement and the body adjusts accordingly.

The ears work closely with the eyes to maintain balance. The basis of this is

vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR). This is an automatic function of the eyes that stabilizes images on the retina in response to head movements. This reflex causes the eyes to move in the opposite direction to the movement of the head so that the eyes remain stationary on the observed target. Thus, precise information from the vestibular system influences the sense of balance.

If one inner ear is affected by disease or injury, then sensory information sent to the brain will falsely indicate movement from that vestibular system. In this case, the eyes will adjust accordingly and move opposite to the perceived movement despite the fact that the head is actually stationary. The result is involuntary back and forth eye movements. This eye movement is called nystagmus and, if present, makes any healthcare professional suspect a vestibular problem.

There are two other reflexes, the vestibulocervical reflex and the vestibulospinal reflex, which also help the body maintain a sense of balance.

The vestibulocervical reflex works in conjunction with incoming vestibular information and the neck muscles to stabilize the head. And the job of the vestibulospinal reflex is to create compensatory movements of the body in response to vestibular input in order to maintain balance and avoid falling.

Disturbance along any part of the anatomical pathway described above can affect the perception of balance or equilibrium. A problem with the part of the inner ear or sensory information transmitted to the brain through the vestibulocochlear nerve is called peripheral vestibular disorder.

If a problem affecting balance is due to damage to a structure within the brain itself, which then affects the reception and integration of balance information, it is called a central vestibular disorder.

Vestibular disorder

The causes and mechanisms that cause dizziness in neurological diseases are not fully understood. Discussions continue to this day in medical scientific circles, and this despite the fact that in neurology, the most modern diagnostic methods are used to examine the structures of the brain and inner ear. Conventional drug therapy, which includes the use of sedatives, does not always have the desired effect, and in the case of long-term use, it can even have a negative impact on the processes of compensation of the functions of the vestibular system and the patient’s recovery. Vestibular disorders, manifested in vascular pathologies of the head, are the leaders among all vestibular manifestations known to medicine.

Common disorders treated with ART

The most common peripheral vestibular disorders treated with ART are benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and any injury or disease that results in decreased function of the inner ear. This decreased function may be associated with disorders such as Meniere's disease, vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis, or acoustic neuroma. The term unilateral or bilateral vestibular hypofunction can be used to describe decreased function of the vestibular system in one (unilateral) or both (bilateral) ears due to disease or injury.

Clinically, any peripheral dysfunction in the vestibular system that affects balance can potentially be treated with ART, however the effectiveness of treatment will depend on the exact cause of the vestibular problems.

Central vestibular disorders such as multiple sclerosis or stroke may also respond to ART, although in general peripheral vestibular disorders tend to respond better.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)

BPPV is a common clinical balance disorder characterized by recurrent attacks of dizziness that are brief in nature (usually 10-60 seconds) and most often triggered by certain head positions. Benign, in medical terms, means that it is not life-threatening. Paroxysmal means that it occurs with rapid and sudden onset or worsening of symptoms.

BPPV is the most common cause of recurrent dizziness. BPPV is thought to be caused by calcium carbonate crystals (called otoconia, otoliths, or “ear stones”) in the semicircular canals of the inner ear. Under normal circumstances, these crystals are located within the sac of the ear, but in BPPV, these crystals are thought to dislodge and migrate into the semicircular canals of the ear. This misalignment is thought to have a number of possible causes, such as ear or head trauma, ear infection or surgery, or natural degeneration of the inner ear structures. Often, however, the direct cause cannot be identified.

Otoconia settle in one place of the canal when the head is motionless. The most common canal to be affected is the posterior semicircular canal. A sudden change in head position, often caused by actions such as rolling over in bed, getting out of bed, tilting the head, or looking up, causes crystals to shift. This shift, in turn, sends false balance signals to the brain and causes dizziness.

Dizziness due to BPPV can be severe and accompanied by nausea. The attacks may occur for seemingly no reason and then disappear for several weeks or months before returning again. BPPV usually affects only one ear, and although it can occur at any age, it is often seen in patients over 60 years of age and is more common in women. Nystagmus is usually present.

Meniere's disease

Meniere's disease is a chronic, incurable vestibular disorder characterized by symptoms of episodic severe dizziness, fluctuating hearing loss, ear fullness and/or ringing in the ear (tinnitus), and nystagmus.

This disease gets its name from the French physician Prosper HaMeniere, who in the late 1800s theorized the cause of these symptoms, which he noted in many of his patients.

The exact cause of Meniere's disease has not yet been determined, but it is thought to be due to an abnormal amount of endolymphatic fluid accumulating in the inner ear and/or an abnormal accumulation of potassium in the inner ear.

The early stages of acute attacks of Meniere's disease vary in length from 20 minutes to 24 hours. The attacks may occur regularly over the course of a week or may occur weeks or months later. Other symptoms may coincide with an attack, such as restlessness, diarrhea, shaking, blurred vision, nausea and vomiting, cold sweats, and a rapid pulse or racing heart. After attacks, patients often experience extreme fatigue that requires many hours of rest to recover. For some patients, the time between attacks may be symptom-free, but other patients report persistent associated symptoms even between attacks.

Vestibular neuronitis

Vestibular neuronitis is an inflammation of the inner ear or its associated nerve (the vestibular portion of the vestibulocochlear nerve) that causes dizziness. Hearing may also be affected if the inflammation also affects the cochlear nerve.

Dizziness caused by vestibular neuronitis has a sudden onset and can be mild or extremely severe. Nausea, vomiting, unsteadiness, decreased concentration, nystagmus, and blurred vision may also occur. Most often, infections that cause inflammation of the inner ear or vestibulocochlear nerve are viral rather than bacterial. Proper diagnosis as to whether it is viral or bacterial is important to ensure the most effective and appropriate treatment.

Acoustic Neuroma

An acoustic neuroma is a benign tumor on the vestibulocochlear nerve. Early symptoms include hearing loss in the affected ear, ringing in the ear (tinnitus), dizziness, and a feeling of fullness in the ear. The tumor grows slowly, so symptoms appear gradually and can be easily missed in the early stages. As the tumor grows, it can press on other nerves in the area, and symptoms such as a headache or pain and numbness in the face may occur. Dizziness or other balance problems may occur as the tumor grows.

Vestibular symptoms

Peripheral or central vestibular disorders can lead to a number of different symptoms. VRT can potentially relieve or resolve any symptoms associated with a vestibular disorder.

Common symptoms include:

dizziness
blurred vision
fatigue
anxiety
headache
nausea and/or vomiting
cold sweat
ringing/tinnitus
hearing loss
twitching orbital stagmus
ear pressure
panic attacks
leaning to the side
fear of falling
increased risk of falls
imbalance
unsteady walk
anxiety
depression

Vestibular syndrome: causes, symptoms, treatment

Vestibular syndrome: definition, basic concepts.

Vestibular syndrome is a disorder of the vestibular system that causes a number of disorders. The vestibular system maintains a sense of balance and orientation in space, provides information about the position of the head, and records images on the retina. If violations occur to it, it ceases to perform its basic functions.

This disease can manifest itself in the form of dizziness and loss of coordination in space.

The disease can appear regardless of a person's age. Including children. The cause may be, for example, mental and physical exhaustion, as well as nervousness and stress.

Treatment of any disease should not be postponed. If something in your body goes wrong, there is a reason for it. We will consider further what signals from the body can tell you that you have problems brewing with the vestibular system.

By what symptoms can vestibular syndrome be recognized?

Nausea and vomiting

Cloudiness before the eyes

Constant dizziness

Loss of balance and coordination in space

Increased heart rate

Blood pressure disorder

General weakness of the whole body

Confusion and memory loss

Feelings of anxiety and restlessness

Here's what you should pay attention to. As mentioned above, if you experience dizziness and loss of coordination in space, then it is possible that you are developing problems with the vestibular apparatus.

Thus, if some or all of the symptoms present in the lists appear in you, then it’s time to take care of your health.

Remember, it is easier and faster to treat a disease in the early stages, when it has not yet taken root deep into your body.

Don’t let it go and don’t leave it to chance or “maybe it will go away on its own.” Undoubtedly, the body's resources are great. And Tibetan medicine is for the body to cope with the disease itself.

However, in the conditions of our modern life, and without knowing the true causes of the disease, you should contact a specialist and undergo a free diagnosis in our clinic. At the very least, you will know your exact diagnosis, the cause of the disease and recommendations for a quick recovery.

Let's continue the research, and first let's find out where the roots of all diseases come from, in particular the problems of the vestibular system.

Vestibular syndrome: the roots of the disease. Diseases do not appear just like that; they always have prerequisites.

Our world is diverse and complex for some, but simple and great for others. The ability to behave, to subordinate thoughts to one’s will, to manage one’s condition in different situations, to launch the correct biochemical processes, allows a person to have strong energy and strong immunity, and therefore resistance to any diseases.

The integrity of the body begins to collapse with psycho-emotional factors that affect us every day. If a person knows how to cope with them, processing any emotional surges towards a positive shift forward for himself, he will be able to react easily to any uncomfortable situation, remain in good health, and, moreover, develop his energy potential.

Otherwise, under the influence of a crazy pace of life, stressful situations at work, at home or on the road, a negative energy charge begins to accumulate, gradually destroying a person’s energy shell.

First, this affects a person’s psychological health; later, the destruction moves to the physical level, where internal organs begin to suffer and various sores begin to appear.

Let's move directly to the causes and factors that contribute to the appearance of vestibular syndrome.

“No doctor knows such a medicine for a tired body and a weary soul as hope.”

Stefan Zweig

Causes of vestibular syndrome.

Bad and unhealthy food

Mental and physical exhaustion

Nervousness and various stressful conditions.

Traumatic brain injuries

Penetration of a viral or bacterial infection into the membranous labyrinth

Multiple sclerosis

Why can a disease be resistant to treatment, and when everything seemed to have passed, a relapse occurs? Because at the diagnostic stage the doctor did not determine the cause of the disease.

Treating symptoms means driving the disease even deeper inside, where it will affect more and more new areas, developing a whole “network” of associated diseases.

And one “fine” day they will make themselves felt with all their bouquet, to which will also be added side effects from medications. Is it worth it? Of course not. There is always a choice

Next, we will consider the approach of Tibetan medicine to the treatment of problems with the vestibular apparatus.

How to get rid of vestibular syndrome thanks to Tibetan medicine? Rules for restoring health.

Acupuncture
Moxibustion therapy
Stone therapy
Tibetan massage
Vacuum therapy
Hirudotherapy
And others.

Rapid restoration of the body using Tibetan methods occurs thanks to methods of external and internal influence. Everything that can contribute to rapid recovery is taken into account. Lifestyle and nutrition also play an important role here.

During a free pulse diagnosis, you are given an accurate diagnosis, your predominant constitution is determined, which is one of the most important points for setting up the correct treatment, the causes of the disease, concomitant diseases are determined, and, based on these data, treatment is prescribed.

Again, nutrition and lifestyle play an important role in the healing process. Therefore, it is important to know your natural constitution and the state of affairs in general. And based on this data, determine the necessary diet, with the presence of plenty of fluids and the exclusion or limitation of foods that are not suitable for you by nature.

In combination with herbal medicine, these procedures provide a tremendous healing effect and allow you to quickly relieve pain and alleviate the condition.

Properly selected herbal remedies have an immunomodulatory, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect, harmonizing the state of the body's internal systems.

An integrated approach is the basis of Tibetan medicine. External influence by the above procedures leads to the following:

The functionality of the vestibular apparatus is restored
Its functionality improves
Stagnation is eliminated
Increases immunity
Relieves pain and discomfort
Concomitant diseases go away
The general condition of the body improves
Nausea and vomiting go away
No more blurred vision
Dizziness disappears
Balance and coordination in space are restored
Normalizes heart rate and blood pressure

Tibetan medicine has helped many patients regain lost health. Even in those cases when ordinary doctors refused the patient, saying that he could no longer be helped, Tibetan medicine helped.

Not because she has some kind of magic pill, but because she has enormous knowledge about human nature and its interaction with this world. This experience has been accumulated over thousands of years and is now quickly gaining popularity due to its amazing results.

Without chemicals, antibiotics, painful procedures and surgeries, we manage to get people back on their feet, significantly improving their condition.

People also come to us to prevent diseases. Relax, unload your emotional state, raise your vitality and restore your energy.

After complex procedures, a person gains harmony with himself and the outside world for a long time. He simply glows with love, energy and life.

Therefore, if you have any health problems, come, we will help you.

Health to you and your loved ones!

Bibliography:

Bobrov L.S., Shmyrev V.I., Vasiliev A.S. and others. Possibilities of conservative management of patients with vertebrobasilar insufficiency at the outpatient stage // International Neurological Journal. 2011. No. 1(39).

Burton Martin J. Dizziness: features of diagnosis and treatment // Attending physician. 1999. No. 4. P.58–60

Savitz SI, Caplan LR Vertebrobasilar disease // N Engl J Med. 2005. Vol. 352. P. 2618–2626.

Brodsky MC Three dimensions of skew deviation // Br J Ophthalmol. 2003. Vol. 87(12). P.1440–1441.

Newman-Toker DE, Kattah JC, Alvernia JE, Wang DZ Normal head impulse test differentiates acute cerebellar strokes from vestibular neuritis // Neurology. 2008. Vol. 70. P.2378–2385.

Cnyrim CD, Newman-Toker D, Karch C et al. Bedside differentiation of vestibular neuritis from central “vestibular pseudoneuritis” // J NeurolNeurosurg Psychiatry. 2008. Vol. 79. P.458–460.

Kirchner H., Kremmyda O., Hufner K. et al. Clinical, electrophysiological, and MRI findings in patients with cerebellar ataxia and a bilaterally pathological head-impulse test // Ann NY AcadSci. 2011. Vol. 1233. P.127–138.

Park HK, Kim JS, Strupp M., Zee DS Isolated floccular infarction: impaired vestibular responses to horizontal head impulse // J Neurol. 2013. Vol. 260. P.1576–1582.

Sheremet A. S. Dizziness as a sign of damage to the vestibular analyzer // Consilium medicum. Vertigo app. 2001. P.3–9

Diagnosis of the cause of dizziness

A detailed history of your medical condition is the most important information your doctor needs to diagnose the cause of your vestibular disorder and then administer appropriate ART.

The doctor will ask you to describe your vestibular symptoms in detail. Any symptoms you experience above or others should be mentioned. Your doctor will want to know when the first episode of your symptoms occurred, how long they lasted, and whether they were related to any other events, such as a car accident, head injury, illness, or infection.

He will also want to know how often symptoms have recurred since the first episode and the general pattern of symptom frequency. Find out exactly what causes your symptoms, such as moving your head in a certain direction or getting out of bed. For dizziness, your doctor will ask about the nature of what you're feeling and whether you experience episodes of true dizziness where you have a spinning sensation.

The doctor will also want to know if there is anything that reduces or increases your symptoms, and if you are taking any medications, or if you have a family history of any inner ear disorders or central nervous system disorders.

He may ask you to rate the intensity of some of your symptoms on an objective scale. Finally, they will ask about all the daily activities that are related to your vestibular problem, such as walking, driving, working, and even household activities such as dressing, bathing, showering, and housekeeping.

He will also want to know if you have any falls.

The doctor will examine your eye movements by asking you to follow certain objects with your eyes or by asking you to move your head while keeping your attention on a specific target.

An examination of the joints and neck muscles is also carried out to determine the cervicogenic nature of dizziness.

Finally, your doctor may ask you to fill out a questionnaire to determine the intensity of your vestibular symptoms.

Depending on what the doctor finds during the initial examination, they may send you for a series of other tests to further determine the cause of your vestibular symptoms.

Vestibular rehabilitation

As stated above, ART can be used to treat various disorders that cause dizziness or balance problems. Almost any disorder that occurs due to vestibular dysfunction and does not receive sufficient compensation can be treated with ART. The effectiveness of ART depends on correct diagnosis of the cause of the imbalance, the skill/training of the therapist in developing and administering the treatment, and adherence to the prescribed exercise program.

As explained earlier, the purpose of ART exercises is to encourage the brain and spinal cord to compensate for any balance deficits that arise due to diseases or abnormalities of the inner ear or central nervous system. In other words, patients teach their vestibular system to do one of several things; adapt to the stimuli presented, substitute other sensory pathways, or become accustomed to changing vestibular signals sent to their brain so that they can manage their vestibular disorder and maintain normal functioning despite possible ongoing symptoms.

In some cases, ART can eliminate vestibular symptoms. Unfortunately, however, this is not always the case, so minimizing symptoms or the frequency of recurrence of symptoms is considered a successful outcome of ART.

Research in the field of ART shows that, in general, ART exercises are effective in reducing many symptoms of vestibular disorder and that these improvements can often persist for several months after therapy. However, the effectiveness of therapy often depends heavily on what exactly is causing the vestibular symptoms in the first place and the use of individualized exercises rather than a standard exercise protocol.

ART, however, is not always effective for all vestibular problems. There are even some vestibular problems where exercise is not considered appropriate, so proper diagnosis of the cause of the symptoms is important.

ART exercises

If your physiotherapist feels that ART is right for you after completing your assessment, they will prescribe a range of individual exercises for you to do regularly. These exercises will focus on your specific vestibular problem and associated symptoms.

Additionally, the exercises you are prescribed will focus on any day-to-day problems you are facing as a result of your symptoms. Some exercises will be done with your physical therapist on a stability platform, and others will be retrained so that you can do them on your own as part of a home exercise program.

Medications to treat your symptoms may be an addition to ART and should be discussed with your doctor.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with a therapeutic plaster NANOPLAST forte

When treating cervical osteochondrosis, the NANOPLAST forte therapeutic plaster allows you to relieve pain and inflammation, improve blood circulation in the affected area, and relieve muscle spasms. Depending on the condition and severity of degenerative changes in the spine, the drug can be used both in monotherapy and in complex treatment of osteochondrosis. The use of the NANOPLAST patch in complex treatment allows you to reduce the dose of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, enhance their effect, and speed up recovery processes.

The patch combines two types of physiotherapeutic effects - deep soft heating and magnetotherapeutic properties. Long-term exposure - for 12 hours - provides a high therapeutic effect of the drug.

When treating cervical osteochondrosis, the therapeutic plaster NANOPLAST forte is applied to the disturbing area of the neck, avoiding the anterior surface, especially the area of the carotid arteries and lymph nodes. A course of treatment of 9 days or more is recommended. It is usually recommended to use the patch in the morning for 12 hours, but it can also be used at night.

High efficiency, unique composition, long-term (up to 12 hours!) therapeutic effects, ease of use and affordable price make NANOPLAST forte the drug of choice in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.

Our approach to treatment (exercises on the stabiloplatform)

Stabilometry is a modern method that allows you to assess the state of a person’s balance in various diseases.

The patient is examined on a special platform that records minimal vibrations of the human body with subsequent computer processing. At the end of the study, a conclusion and recommendations for rehabilitation in the form of training are issued.

With the help of video games, a person, by moving fulcrum points, “guides” the actions of the character on the screen, thereby training his vestibular apparatus. Repeated repetition of such training increases the effectiveness of the therapy.

Treatment on a stabiloplatform with biofeedback is prescribed as part of complex therapy for diseases and pathological conditions such as:

imbalance, loss of coordination;
frequent dizziness and headaches;
diseases of the vestibular apparatus;
panic attacks accompanied by dizziness
polyneuropathy;
vascular diseases, conditions of impaired blood supply to the brain, incl. post-stroke
various spinal injuries (vertebral displacement, curvature)
flat feet

Treatment of neck diseases

Some patients who experience dizziness or balance problems also have orthopedic neck problems that cause or worsen their symptoms. In these cases, your physiotherapist at Healthy Sports can also provide hands-on treatment in combination with the other ART exercises described above.

Strategies for self-administration

Secondary damage due to vestibular problems can occur due to frequent falls. As part of your ART, your doctor will talk about simple strategies that can minimize the risk of secondary injuries. For example, you may be advised to use walking aids if you are tired or in a particularly busy environment, such as a grocery store.

Conclusion

ART can be extremely helpful in reducing or eliminating any vestibular symptoms and imbalances you may experience due to diseases or abnormalities of the inner ear or central nervous system. These exercises will lead to the best results if they are prescribed by one of our doctors at the Healthy Sports Medical and Health Complex.

You can undergo an examination at the Healthy Sports Medical and Health Complex, make an appointment by phone: 58-88-28

Strengthening the vestibular apparatus

The elimination of unpleasant symptoms and the treatment of dysfunctions of the vestibular apparatus is facilitated by daily performance of a set of exercises. It is based on training the balance system and working to increase the body's adaptation. And small loads with a gradual increase in duration and intensity (running, outdoor games, gymnastics) will help both strengthen the vestibular apparatus and avoid exacerbations of the corresponding disorders. You can find training recommendations in the next section.