Dizziness and Balance Problems

What causes dizziness and other balance problems?

Balance problems can be caused by a wide variety of problems affecting the inner ear, central nervous system, vision, spine, feet and legs, circulatory system and/or metabolism. It can be due to something as common as dehydration, or a complex disease or combination of problems. For many people, dizziness is related to a problem in a portion of the inner ear called the “labyrinth” or “vestibular system”.

Common Causes of Vestibular Disorders:

• Infection or inflammation related to labyrinthitis, vestibular neuronitis, otitis media or allergies

• Holes or weak spots in the cochlea (cochlear fistula or dehiscence)

• Migraine

• Motion sickness

• Tumors affecting the auditory nerve

• Pressure on blood vessels in the neck or brain

• Displaced crystals in the labyrinth (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo - BPPV)

• Autoimmune inner ear disease

• Meniere’s disease or endolymphatic hydrops

• Diseases such as diabetes or other metabolic disorders

• Changes in health of the inner ear related to aging

• Ototoxic drugs

• Kidney disease

• Brain injuries due to concussions or stroke (cerebrovascular accident)

Other Causes of Balance Disorders:

• Vision problems, especially disorders affecting eye movements and focus

• Hyperventilation

• Dehydration

• Stress, fatigue or inattention

• Head Trauma

• Decreased blood flow to the brain

• Vasovagal Syndrome

• Peripheral neuropathy affecting the feet and legs

• Tumors on the brainstem or spinal column

• Arteriosclerosis

• Arthritis in the neck vertebrae