You might want to consider vestibular rehabilitation, developed by NASA…
Up to 35% of adults 40 years and older, which represents over six million Canadians, have a vestibular problem at some point in their lives. An estimated 33% of all adults with chronic imbalance have problems performing basic everyday activities.
Other symptoms include falling or feeling like the ground is moving, disorientation and visual blurring.
Despite the occurrence of these disabling symptoms, 50% of patients do not go undiagnosed.
Instead, the vast majority, as many as 70%, are given medication to treat the symptoms without understanding the cause. In the past, there weren’t many treatment options for balance disorders. Doctors would often tell patients either that the symptoms would go away or they would just have to live with it.
That is no longer the case. Vestibular Rehabilitation (VR), developed by NASA and the military, offers patients with balance disorders the opportunity to get proper treatment. VR retrains the vestibular system in the inner ear that is responsible for balance to compensate for any damage or dysfunction. VR exercises are designed to teach the brain to use other senses to substitute for the deficient vestibular system. These exercises take advantage of the body’s ability to adapt the balance system for the changes that have brought on the dizziness.
Causes of dizziness
There are seven causes of dizziness:
- Viral Labyrinthistis – a viral infection of the inner ear with a sudden onset of symptoms.
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) – dizziness, usually very intense with episodes lasting about a minute, usually brought on by sudden head movements.
- Meniere’s Disease – repetitive episodes of dizziness lasting from 2-24 hours with varying degrees of hearing loss.
- Vertigo of vascular origin – poor or restricted blood flow to the brain.
- Traumatic Brain Injury vertigo – dizziness after head injury.
- Peripheral Vestibular Disorder – indications of a problem in the vestibular system of the inner ear.
- Central neurological – indications of a problem in the central nervous system.
Treatment
VR has been shown to be effective for all causes of balance disorders with the exception of Meniere’s Disease. Many patients experience a dramatic reduction in symptoms after 6-8 weeks of VR. Physiotherapy by a should be part of all comprehensive treatment programs for balance disorders.
After the cause of a balance disorder has been diagnosed, and the condition has been assessed and treated with VR, the third critical phase of a comprehensive treatment program is long-term management of the condition. The key to long-term management is to strengthen the vestibular system to prevent recurrence. Exercise supervised by a physiotherapist is the best way to avoid the recurrence of dizziness and falling. Set backs are very common for patients who discontinue exercise when the symptoms go away. Patients must continue to perform the exercise routines at home after completing VR to keep the symptoms from returning.
Sources
Statistics
https://balanceanddizziness.org/disorders-and-treatments/facts-about-dizziness-2/
Hi there I am currently suffering from some type of undiagnosed vertigo most likely pppd. I have recently moved from Vancouver to Montreal . I would like to continue my rehab at your clinic . I would like to be re assessed if possible.
Hello and thank you for your message. Please call 5147315555 and book an appointment with Moshe, he will be able to reevaluate and treat you.
Best of luck
Im having vertigo for 2 weeks now, while moving, mostly outside, blurring vision. Can you do something for me?
Hello,
If your symptoms are due to BPPV then there are good chances we can help. If you want to book an appointment in Dorval ask to book with Richard, if you are booking jn Cote-des-Neiges, ask to book with Moshe.
Best regards,
I have dizziness for several years that seems to be undiagnosable as no one has been able to tell me what, where or why I have it.
I would like to know more about vestibular rehabilitation and how it might benefit me.
Hello, if your dizziness is coming from BPPV then physiotherapy might help. Have doctors ruled out the possibility of BPPV?
Over 1year of vertigo, seen 3 ent and no diagnosis with a possible Menderes s.bppv was ruled out, was given serc and didn’t work n now on gravol .hearing loss which comes n goes..any hope
Hello I recently was in a car accident and now a few weeks later I am still having problems with my ears and some balance problems and headaches and fatigue and insomnia. Lots of blocking in the ears and tinnitus could your clinic help
Gerry Lagios
Please excuse us for the late reply.
Hopefully by now you should be feeling better. If not please let me know by emailing me directly at info@amsclinic.ca.
Thank you
Richard Bouzaglou
I have been having dizziness and sleeplessness for the past 8 months and all test says am fine but am not . I don’t sleep for like 3 days in a row. I need help.