Our sense of balance is maintained by a complex interaction of the inner ear, central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), eyes, joints, sensor receptors and muscles.
If there’s a problem with any part of the balance system, you may experience dizziness or vertigo. Dizziness is described as feeling light headed, woozy, unsteady, floating or having a sense of disequilibrium. Vertigo comes from the Latin verb “to turn,” and means that you feel like you or your surroundings are turning or spinning.
Because there are many possible causes for dizziness and vertigo, you should find a doctor at Southcoast Health to determine your condition by performing a medical evaluation. Depending on your diagnosis, balance rehabilitation therapy is a treatment that can alleviate balance problems.
To assist physicians, Southcoast Rehabilitation Services offers a program for balance disorders in Fall River, Dartmouth and Wareham, MA to provide comprehensive diagnostic tests and treatment in an outpatient setting.
To diagnose and best treat your dizziness and vertigo, Southcoast Health offers the following evaluations and treatments.
The auditory system is responsible for hearing and balance. Our audiologists can perform a series of tests to look at these two areas. These tests include hearing assessment or videonystagmography (VNG). VNG helps diagnose and evaluate balance disorders and related symptoms such as dizziness and vertigo by assessing how the inner ear and brain are working together to maintain balance.
A physical therapy evaluation can be performed along with audiology testing. If indicated by the evaluation results, your physical therapist will develop an exercise and balance program that’s customized to your needs.
Your physician may also order a variety of tests depending on your history and symptoms. Each test contributes distinct, specific information that is combined to help establish an appropriate treatment plan.
Once a diagnosis is determined, a range of treatments is available that have been proven safe and effective in controlling balance disorders with dizziness and vertigo. Surgery is rarely necessary, but may be considered in some cases. Follow-up visits and repeat testing are important if your symptoms persist or change.
Balance problems are symptoms, not a medical diagnosis. It is necessary for a doctor to perform a medical evaluation, and understanding the history of your symptoms is very helpful in finding the cause of your problem. Always notify your doctor if you experience increased headaches, any change in vision, slurring of speech, motor weakness or any loss of consciousness.
Don’t let a balance problem interfere with your life and career. Talk to your primary care physician and ask if the Southcoast balance disorders program can help you.
Southcoast Health treats balance disorders in Fall River and Dartmouth, MA, at the Southcoast Brain & Spine Center.
Southcoast Health é um sistema de saúde sem fins lucrativos, caritativo e baseado na comunidade, com múltiplos pontos de acesso, que oferece uma continuidade integrada de serviços de saúde em todo o sudeste de Massachusetts e Rhode Island.
