Introduction

When a person experiences dizziness it can be extremely unpleasant. Not only can it be quite debilitating, but there can also be an element of anxiety and worry about the cause of dizziness. It's very easy to 'Google' dizziness and convince yourself that you have a significant pathology or condition.

This report highlights that there are many different causes of dizziness (most of them are not serious or harmful) and outlines what you can do to help.

I hope you find it useful.

What can cause Dizziness?

It's common to sometimes feel dizzy, lightheaded, or off-balance, and it is usually not serious, however, there are lots of possible causes of dizziness including an ear infection, migraine, dehydration, stress, anxiety, low blood sugar, postural hypotension (low blood pressure when you move positions), iron deficiency, medication side effects, reduced blood flow to the brain etc. If you are concerned about the possible cause then it would be wise to see your GP first.

Have you been told you have BPPV?

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). Past your hearing centres, you have your inner ear, within which there are fluid-filled canals that help to sense where your body is moving. Normally that information is coordinated with your eyes and you feel balanced.

With BPPV, small crystals from a separate part of the inner ear fall into one of these canals. The information given from that canal is then wrong and doesn't agree with what your eyes and other ear are telling you. You then feel very dizzy or as if the world or you are spinning. There are specific tests to diagnose this that a specialist Physiotherapist can perform.

You may find it difficult to explain your dizziness. Some feel "off balance" or "fuzzy", while others report a spinning sensation or feeling "drunk". Dizziness is difficult to explain to your family and friends; you may appear well but feel unable to manage your everyday activities. Loss of confidence and low mood are common in dizziness problems, so if you are feeling like this then you are not alone.

Coordination!

Your balance system needs coordination between your eyes, inner ear, brain, joints, and muscles. There are many different causes of dizziness (see above), however, restoring the coordination between the different systems mentioned above is important in recovery.

How do I treat my Dizziness?

This very much depends on the cause of the dizziness. If the problem is BPPV then repositioning techniques performed by your Physiotherapist can be very effective. If you have ongoing dizziness following an inner ear infection, Vestibular rehabilitation can help you learn to move again without feeling dizzy.

Your balance might be fine

It may be that your balance isn’t affected. Some people report difficulty watching TV, reading a book or when turning over / getting in and out of bed. Symptoms can vary a lot between individuals and depending on the reason for the dizziness.

How can Physiotherapy help if I have Dizziness or Vestibular problems?

When one part of the inner ear is damaged, your brain can be re-taught how to keep your balance, ignoring the wrong signals from the affected part and slowly increasing your movement. Specialist Physiotherapists in Vestibular Rehabilitation, have a thorough understanding of not only how the inner ear works but how your brain interprets this information. The more individualised your treatment programme is, the more effective it will be.

Conclusion

If you would like the chance to speak to one of our Specialise Vestibular Rehabilitation Physiotherapists for free, then please call 0118 391 5055.

You might have many questions right now and want to know more about what services we offer and if we could possibly help your problem. This free call is a great way of obtaining information and starting you on your road to recovery from Dizziness.

Warm regards,

Helen Walcott,

Specialist Neurological and Vestibular Physiotherapist

About the author

For over 14 years, many people have consulted Helen Walcott and the team of Vestibular Physiotherapists looking for answers about how to manage their dizziness.

Advice Disclaimer

We make every effort to ensure that we accurately represent the condition, advice and prognosis displayed throughout this Guide.

However, examples of conditions and their prognosis are based on typical representations of those conditions that we commonly see in our physiotherapy clinic. The information given is not intended as a representation of every individual’s potential condition. As with any condition, each person’s symptoms can vary widely and each person’s progress can also vary depending upon background, genetics, previous medical history, application of exercises, posture, motivation to follow physio advice and various other physical factors.

It is impossible to give a 100% complete accurate diagnosis and prognosis without a thorough physical examination and likewise, the advice given for the management of a condition cannot be

deemed fully accurate in the absence of this examination from one of the Chartered Physiotherapists at Thorpes Neuro Rehab.

We are able to offer you this service at a standard charge. Significant injury risk is possible if you do not follow due diligence and seek suitable professional advice about your condition. No guarantees of specific results are expressly made or implied in this report.