The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Balance disorders in your child: What to watch for.
Dizziness can define various sensations: spinning, tilting, instability, lightheadedness. Adults usually can find words to describe what they’re feeling, but children often can’t.
“It’s really up to parents or caregivers to identify when there’s a balance problem,” says audiologist Julie Honaker, PhD, Director of Cleveland Clinic’s Vestibular and Balance Disorders Center.
According to Honaker, good balance requires: Sensory input, such as hearing and seeing Internal processing, done by the vestibular system in your inner ear, upper neck and eyes Motor output (moving your muscles) to keep you upright and on your feet Dizziness can happen if any of these elements aren’t working correctly. Signs of a possible balance disorder Signs that your child may have a balance disorder include: Lack of response to sounds or lack of engagement with others, which can indicate hearing problems Delayed motor skills, such as rolling over, crawling and walking Clumsiness Recurring nausea or vomiting, which can come on quickly • Motion sickness when riding in a car, playing video games, etc. Most common cause
Identifying the cause of imbalance can be complex, says Honaker. Your first stop should be to your pediatrician to rule out heart and other medical issues. Your pediatrician can refer you to a balance specialist for more investigation.
“We use simple tests to get to the root cause,” says Honaker. “It could be a problem with the inner ear, hearing, vision or other factors. The most common cause of childhood dizziness, however, is a migraine variant.”
Kids can develop migraines or migraine-type conditions at a very young age. Symptoms don’t necessarily include head pain. Ultimately a neurologist can help. Recovering from balance disorders
“Children recover from balance disorders much faster than adults,” says Honaker. “That’s because kids usually stay active in spite of their condition. Their balance system is constantly being engaged.”
Sometimes the best treatment is just monitoring the child, she says. Balance systems may adjust as the child ages. Cleveland Clinic Vestibular and Balance Disorders Centers are located at Cleveland Clinic main campus, Beachwood Family Health and Surgery Center, and Westlake Medical Campus. For an appointment, call 216.444.8500.