Balance problems such as dizziness are one of the most common complaints people bring to their doctors - in fact, it’s estimated that up to 40% of adults experience dizziness severe enough to report it to a physician. However, it’s one of the most difficult complaints to assess as it is a highly subjective sensation and may be caused by several overlapping pathophysiological processes that invariably result in balance problems. It is therefore important to recognise the different signs that could indicate problems with balance to ensure timely and appropriate intervention.
signs
Common signs of balance problems
Dizziness, one of the most common signs of balance problems, often occurs alongside other symptoms. If you experience any of the following symptoms alongside your dizziness, we recommend undergoing balance diagnostics:
CAUSES OF BALANCE PROBLEMS
Although balance impairment may arise from a whole host of different health disorders and bodily systems, inner ear balance problems are often found to be involved - the inner ear balance system is otherwise known as the vestibular system. Read more about how the ear works. The following diseases/ disorders linked to the vestibular system commonly lead to balance problems:
Benign Positional Paroxysmal Vertigo (BPPV)
The most common cause of vertigo, BPPV is caused by misplaced calcium crystals in the vestibular system and results in short bursts of dizziness provoked specifically by head movements.
Vestibular Neuronitis
Caused by viral inflammation of the vestibular nerve leading to dizziness and imbalance.
Labyrinthitis
Viral or bacterial inflammation of the inner ear nerves leading to dizziness and hearing loss.
Vestibulopathy
Damage to vestibular organs that leads to imbalance and anxiety.
Trauma
Head injuries may cause damage to the structures in the vestibular system leading to dizziness and imbalance.
Ototoxic Medication
Can cause permanent damage to the vestibular system, typically resulting in imbalance, hearing loss and tinnitus. Ototoxic medication includes some types of chemotherapy drugs.
Meniere’s Disease
A progressive condition caused by inner ear fluid imbalance leading to attacks of dizziness, tinnitus, pressure in ears and increasing hearing loss.
Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrome
An anatomical change/ thinning in the bone overlying the vestibular end organ that leads to aural fullness, tinnitus, and sound/ pressure induced dizziness.
Vestibular Migraine
Caused by temporary changes in brain activity that leads to motion intolerance, dizziness and visual disturbance.
Our sense of balance is intricately connected to mechanisms of the ears, eyes, brain, muscles, and nerves throughout the body. Balance diagnostics is therefore a complex process, typically involving a battery of tests. Our experts will begin an evaluation by initially taking a detailed medical history and performing a physical examination. They will then run a series of tests in order to determine the nature and severity of any underlying balance problems. These tests primarily focus on recording and analysing eye movements that are generated by the vestibular (inner ear balance) system and central nervous system, which both play primary roles in a healthy functioning balance system on the whole.
A vestibular balance assessment may include the following where appropriate:
