Helping you get back on your feet
More than 50 percent of American adults will suffer from dizziness or balance problems in their lifetimes. While the occasional bout of dizziness may not seem like a serious problem, it can lead to an unexpected fall, bringing with it feelings of discomfort and uneasiness. In fact, falls are the number one cause of accidental deaths and hospital admissions for people over age 65. That’s why MidState Medical Center offers a comprehensive, state-of-the-art Balance & Hearing Institute to treat patients who suffer from dizziness, vertigo, a history of falls, or related symptoms associated with car accidents and other injuries. Appropriate treatment can improve quality of life and get patients’ back on their feet.
Signs of a Balance Problem
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Difficulty getting up from a chair or out of bed
- Numbness or loss of sensation in the legs
- Difficulty walking up or down inclines
- Loss of balance when standing still
- Problems judging distances when walking
- Blurred or double vision
- Increased sensitivity to light
- More than one fall in the last year
Your Balance System
The ability to maintain balance involves three systems that must work together for proper functioning:
- Vision - Tells you your position in space.
- Vestibular System - Located in the inner ear, this system helps you maintain equilibrium and allows for coordination of the head and movement of the eyes.
- Somatosensory System - Musculoskeletal system that provides information about your position in space, separate from the previous systems.
Your entire balance system is weakened when any one of these areas is injured, damaged, or diseased, making you more susceptible to falling. Several conditions can lead to problems with balance, including head injury, stroke, orthopedic injuries, osteoarthritis, neurological problems and conditions that result in problems with blood supply to the inner ear.
Comprehensive Testing
The specially trained staff at the Balance & Hearing Institute can diagnose most cases in about an hour with a series of thorough, quick, and painless tests. The tests involve inspection of a patient’s inner ear, in addition to vision and movement assessments. Testing is interpreted by a licensed audiologist and read by a MidState neurologist or ear, nose and throat specialist.
Tailored Treatment
Based on the results, the team at the Balance & Hearing Institute develops a personalized treatment plan, which often includes a combination of physical and medical therapies. Some patients may even benefit from vestibular rehabilitation therapy, a specific type of physical therapy designed for those with balance problems.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 1.800.632.6807. The Balance & Hearing Institute is located in Suite 212 at MidState Medical Center. Testing and treatment is covered by most insurance.