Dizziness

Dizziness is one of the more frequent reasons people seek help from an ENT specialist, and for good reason. Causes of dizziness often include conditions that involve the inner ear and sometimes the brain. Specific medical conditions, medications, or structural abnormalities in the ear can contribute to dizziness which in turn can lead to balance disorders. Dizziness can significantly affect an individual’s quality of life and impair daily activities even leading to depression if it goes on for too long in some cases.

Symptoms associated with dizziness include:

• Imbalance
• Room spinning (a.k.a. vertigo)
• Feeling like you’re on a boat
• Headaches
• Tiredness
• Nausea
• Disorientation
• Confusion
• Lightheadedness
• Irritability

Here at Ear, Nose and Throat Specialists of Wisconsin we are happy to evaluate all cases of dizziness to help identify where your symptoms may be coming from. We frequently treat and manage conditions that arise from abnormalities in the inner ear. The inner ear is a dynamic system made up of delicate structures known as the labyrinth or vestibular system. This amazing system transfers messages of sound and body position to the brain and then interprets them for perception and balance. The majority of the time, this system keeps us upright and from bumping into things but when there are structural abnormalities, inflammation or fluid and mineral buildup within the structures, it can lead to dizziness and a slew of other problems.

Common ENT causes of dizziness and imbalance include:

• Vestibular Labyrinthitis – inflammation of the structure and nerves of the inner ear, usually caused by a viral infection.
• Vestibular Neuritis – a condition that affects the vestibulocochlear nerve which sends balance and head position information from the inner ear to the brain.
• Meniere’s Disease – A disorder characterized by frequent and often debilitating episodes of vertigo (room-spinning sensation), ear pain or pressure, ringing in the ear (tinnitus) and decreased hearing or loss of hearing.
• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) – A condition characterized by vertigo triggered by changes in body positions, especially bending down and head movements that require looking up, down, over the shoulder or turning over in bed.

If you or someone you love is having their life disrupted by frequent or constant dizziness, call our office today for an appointment and evaluation. Our qualified specialists will conduct a thorough evaluation and exam along with any diagnostic testing we deem appropriate to help identify the source of the dizziness. Depending on the cause, we can offer a variety of treatments and solutions. Call today!