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