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Dizziness and balance are common complaints
September 30, 2008 | Comment on this article
“Dizziness” or “imbalance” are two of the most common complaints heard by practicing doctors. Sometimes people who suffer from these symptoms have a difficult time describing how they feel; some patients will say they feel “woozy,” off-balance, or spinning, while others feel a movement sensation or stagger when they walk.
When a physician tries to identify a source of dizziness or unsteadiness, considerations are often made to high or low blood pressure, blood sugar, dehydration, poor circulation, or a variety of other causes. The list can seem endless. Recent studies have shown that an individual with a true balance disorder will see four to six doctors before receiving a proper diagnosis.
Balance is the ability to maintain an upright position. Loss of balance may be incorrectly attributed to age. Too frequently, symptoms go untreated and result in accidental injuries, because of falling.
In the past, the standard medical treatment for symptoms of dizziness was the prescription of certain medications, such as Meclizine, Dramamine, Valium, Scopolamine, and Phenergan. Although they can be helpful for acute symptoms of dizziness, long-term treatment with these drugs can prevent the brain from compensating to control the symptoms.
In certain inner ear disorders, surgery is recommended to control the symptoms. There are actually many surgical procedures used with good success in those patients who have failed medical therapy and are incapacitated.
Research has shown that the most effective medical approach for resolving symptoms of dizziness or unsteadiness is an individualized exercise regimen, designed according to the specific diagnosis and symptoms. The symptoms cannot be treated properly until the cause of the problem is known. Therefore, comprehensive balance testing is required.
The therapist will use the results of these tests to design a program of progressive exercise that will improve balance reactions, overall safety, and stability. Retraining of balance reactions and resolving the “error signals” that result in symptoms of dizziness or vertigo is a highly complex procedure.
There is a strong home-program basis to this therapy approach, as well as emphasis on the development of strategies an individual can use when feeling symptomatic. The incorporation of exercise principles into an individual’s activities of daily living ensures the strongest, most long-term maintenance of progress achieved during therapy.
Dr. Wesley Krueger is a neurotologist who deals only with hearing and balance disorders. He is located at 2632 Broadway, Suite 201, in San Antonio. Visit the Web site www.earsoftexas.com for more information. |
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