The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Steady on your feet: What to do about dizziness.
“Balance is your sixth sense,” says Julie Honaker, PhD, Director of Cleveland Clinic Vestibular and Balance Disorders Centers. “But you don’t notice it until things go wrong.”
If you’re experiencing dizziness – whether it’s a full-blown spinning sensation your primary care physician. Your physician will look for some possible causes, like cardiovascular disease, anxiety or medication. If those are ruled out, your physician can refer you to a balance specialist for further evaluation. 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. It’s your personal “gyroscope,” she says.
Motor output (moving your muscles) to keep you on your feet.
“If any of those things aren’t working correctly, you may feel unstable,” Honaker says. “Identifying the cause can be complex.”
One common cause
One of the most common causes of dizziness is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). If you have BPPV, you may feel a sudden spinning sensation or become lightheaded just by tipping your head or rolling over in bed.
BPPV is caused by tiny crystals in your inner ear that shift and get stuck where they don’t belong. Fortunately, treatment is easy. A head-moving maneuver done by a vestibular specialist typically can improve your symptoms almost immediately. You can even learn to do it at home.
BPPV sometimes goes away on its own. However, the symptoms can be frightening and can lead to falls. About half of all people over age 65 experience an episode of BPPV.
When to see a doctor
“Dizziness, unsteadiness or falling is nothing to be embarrassed about,” says Honaker. “It happens to people of all ages, not just older adults.”
There are treatments that can help. If you have recurring dizziness or your dizzy spells last longer than one minute, it’s time to see your doctor. 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.