What is a vestibular disorder?

The vestibular system includes parts of the inner ear and brain that process and regulate sensory information related to balance and eye movements. Damage of these areas due to illness, age or accident can disrupt the normal functioning of the vestibular system. The decline in function can intensify due to age, genetic tendencies and the influence of environmental or even unknown factors.

What are the symptoms of a vestibular disorder?

Typically, a vestibular disorder manifests with one or more of the following main symptoms:

Vertigo and dizziness.
Lack of balance and disorientation in space.
Vision disturbances.
Tinnitus and changes in hearing.
Cognitive and psychological changes.

A person with inner ear damage will not necessarily experience all these symptoms and may even experience other symptoms. There may be inner ear damage without any severe or even clear symptoms. It is important to note that most specific symptoms can also be caused by medical conditions unrelated to a vestibular disorder.

The type and severity of symptoms may vary from person to person. Patients can experience anxiety and even trepidation from their symptoms and may sometimes find it difficult to explain in words what they are going through. In some cases, there is difficulty in reading and performing simple calculations. Daily life functioning may be affected, e.g. at home, work or at school, with some people even struggling to get out of bed.

Treatment of vertigo, lack of balance and dizziness resulting from a vestibular disorder.

The treatment of a vestibular disorder is determined by assessment of the patient’s symptoms, general medical/personal condition or history, test results, and examination by a specialist.

Vestibular Rehabilitation – Vestibular Physiotherapy (VRT):

Specific body, head and eye exercises are employed to enable the brain to continue identifying signals from the vestibular system and to combine them with information from the eyes and proprioceptors. The choice of exercises is dependent upon the particular condition of each individual patient.

The Epley maneuver – to reposition otolith particles (crystals):

A series of vestibular physiotherapy exercises were developed to treat benign positional proximal vertigo (BPPV). A common treatment called Epley’s maneuver involves specific head and body movements that can remove the otolith particles (crystals) from the canal.

Home exercises:

Home exercises often form a vital part of the treatment. Guidance and instruction for the exercises, and their level and frequency, are provided by a vestibular physiotherapist, together with a fitness program to improve energy and reduce stress.