Chapter 8 - 5

05 Medicine

Identifying and Treating Balance Disorder

Balance is a state of equilibrium. It is a result of several systems working together. When a person is off-balance or experiences dizziness, it is typically a result of dysfunction within the ear and its organs. Such problems are difficult to diagnose and even more complex to treat.

The ear is composed of semicircular canals, the vestibule, and the cochlea. They work together to provide auditory senses.

A) The canals are filled with fluid, which alerts a person of movement and signals the brain about the direction and speed at which he or she is moving.

B) Two other vestibular organs are the utricle and saccule.

These contain tiny calcium stones called otoconia.

C) Tilting the head or the gravitational position of the body causes these otoconia to move, slightly bending the hair cells within the organs and sending signals to the brain.

D) To maintain balance, the visual and skeletal systems work in conjunction with the auditory system when the brain compares information signals sent from each of the systems.

Problems arise when there is a disruption in the vestibular system or other systems relating to balance. From minor to severe, temporary to permanent, many balance disorders plague patients.

Vertigo, a specific medical term, refers to the sensation of spinning or feeling that the room is spinning around a person. Those who suffer from vertigo experience nausea and vomiting, which are associated with dizziness.

Feeling off-balance is known as disequilibrium. It is characterized by falling frequently to one side. The word “syncope” refers to fainting and pre-syncope is the lightheadedness and weak feeling experienced when blood pressure is low or prior to a fainting spell.

Labyrinthitis is another balance disorder. It is caused by an infection or inflammation of the inner ear that results in dizziness and loss of balance.

Some problems begin in the ear, while others occur in the brain. Still others can be the result of outside influences.

A) An individual who has difficulty maintaining his or her orientation has impaired balance. Aside from vertigo, feeling lightheaded, and feeling as if falling, other symptoms are: difficulty seeing, problems reading, and disorientation.

B) If a person visibly staggers or has trouble walking, he or she is experiencing balance problems.

C) Some people experience emotions such as fear, panic, or anxiety when having trouble with balance. Depression, fatigue, and decreased concentration may also result.

D) The symptoms and implications of balance disorder are quite complex, and doctors are presented with some complicated issues, especially surrounding diagnosis and treatment.

Because other medical conditions such as ear infections, blood pressure, and vision problems affect balance, doctors cannot immediately diagnose a problem as originating in the ear.

A) Therefore, doctors must utilize many different assessments when treating their patients.

B) They incorporate a number of analyses including rotation tests. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans, and tests that measure hearing activity at normal frequencies.

C) Treatments are even more complex than diagnosing the problems because a singular treatment generally will not restore balance.

D) Doctors may choose to treat a disease or disorder that contributes to being off-balance, such as infection, stroke, or multiple sclerosis. Medical health, general history, examination by a doctor, and test results are all considered along with current symptoms. In some cases, patients must learn to cope with their disorder by taking balance training from a physiotherapist.

Some case-specific treatment ideas are available. For example, those suffering from labyrinthitis and vertigo can do therapy-type exercises to help alleviate each problem.

Regarding medication, sedatives are often given to people who experience vertigo and dizziness, but this only treats underlying problems associated with the disorders. Some medications, such as anti-nauseants, help patients deal with various sensations produced by the disease.

These treatments make living with a balance disorder more bearable. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) exists to understand the complexity of the interactions between the inner ear, other balance-sensing organs, and the brain. Research continues in an effort to understand these issues as well as to better the lives of those suffering from inner ear problems.