
5 Facts You Should Know About Vestibular Disorders
Vestibular disorders are common among the Canadian adult population. These are conditions that disturb the body’s balance, causing intense dizziness, imbalance, and discomfort. Here are five common facts about vestibular disorders that you should know about.There Are Several Types of Vestibular Disorders
Vestibular disorders consist of various ailments pertaining to the vestibular system. The latter comprises the brain and the inner ear, which are responsible for processing sensory information. Any injury, trauma, or disease affecting either of these parts or the components within them can result in some form of vestibular disorder. So, what are the most common types of vestibular disorders? Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo or BPPV is among the most commonly diagnosed disorders. A person with BPPV experiences vertigo and dizziness because of the accumulated debris in the inner ear. This debris sends false signals to the brain when the head is moved, causing a sudden feeling of being swayed. Individuals with this disorder frequently a spinning sensation. Labyrinthitis is another common vestibular disorder. It occurs when the labyrinth within the ear gets inflamed. As a result, the affected individual may experience a loss of balance and hearing, nausea, ear pain, and pus coming from their ear. Then there’s Ménière’s disease, which is caused by fluid accumulation in the inner ear. This particular vestibular disorder results in recurring symptoms, including hearing loss, vertigo, ear pressure, and tinnitus.
- Vestibular neuritis
- Secondary endolymphatic hydrops
- Superior semicircular canal dehiscence
- Ototoxicity
- Mal de Débarquement
- Acoustic neuroma
- Vestibular migraine
- Perilymph fistula
- Enlarged vestibular aqueduct
The Causes of Vestibular Disorders Vary
Given the many types of vestibular disorders, it’s unsurprising that a number of factors can cause the conditions. Vestibular disorders can occur due to an injury, a pre-existing medical condition such as autoimmune diseases, an infection, drug or chemical poisoning, or even ageing. Additionally, many vestibular disorders are a result of unexplained causes. The most common causes of vestibular disorders are:- Ear infections
- Poor circulation to or within the ear
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Ear injuries
- Medication
- Debris accumulation in the semicircular canals
Vestibular Disorders Are Difficult To Diagnose
One of the reasons why vestibular disorders are considered complex conditions is that they’re tricky to diagnose. It isn’t uncommon for an individual to reach out to multiple physicians and get various consultations before they finally receive an accurate diagnosis. Despite being quite prevalent, vestibular disorders are difficult to diagnose even by the most experienced professionals.
Vestibular Disorders Affect a Person’s Emotional & Mentally Health
We’ve discussed some of the most common physical symptoms of vestibular disorders. However, there’s more to these conditions than just physical symptoms. Individuals with vestibular disorders are also affected in other ways. For starters, they tend to experience mental fatigue. This may include feeling overwhelmed, being unable to focus, and struggling with remembering things. Then there’s the issue of misdiagnoses. Many individuals feel extremely frustrated because their symptoms are often dismissed as being “not that severe”. They may also be considered lazy and are often misunderstood because of their frequent health complaints, which only adds to their frustration. Many people also deal with severe anxiety and depression because of the fear that they’ll become dependent on others.Vestibular Disorders Can Be Treated Through Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation
While there’s no cure for vestibular disorders, there are several treatments that can be applied to improve the quality of life of people with these conditions. This includes physical therapy.
BY: boostptepadmin
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