Balance disorders are often caused by health problems directly related to the ear, nose and throat, so if you are having trouble with your balance and equilibrium, you may want to consult an ENT Specialist.
A proper diagnosis from a trained professional can tell you if the issue has anything to do with the ENT field of medicine and what kind of treatment may help to correct it. Going to the right kind of specialist for your health problems is vital if you are going to get better quickly.
What Causes a Balance Disorder?
There are four main kinds of balance disorders, and they are :
- Meniere’s disease
- Labyrinthitis
- Neuronitis
- BBPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo)
These can be caused by inflammations or viruses, as well as by the growth of calcium crystals within the inside of the ear. Infections and fluid changes in the inner ear can cause these kinds of problems as well. Finding the root cause of the issue will be key to properly treating the problem. The treatment will vary based on what is causing the balance issue.
Only a thorough diagnosis will be able to determine the reason for the balance problems. What may seem to be an apparent cause at first may change as the symptoms change or the specialist uncovers more history about the issue.
Self-diagnosis can be very dangerous, as you may only notice the obvious symptoms and not see the underlying cause. This is why it is essential to have a trained and experienced specialist diagnose and treat balance problems. You will find that most balance issues are caused by problems of the ears, so an ENT specialist will likely be able to help you out.
What Kind of Symptoms Should You Expect?
Balance disorder can bring with it a number of symptoms affecting your body and your life in different ways. Balance disorder can make you feel nauseated and dizzy, often causing headaches and a sense of disorientation.
It makes life difficult for those who suffer from it. You might stagger when you try to walk and have trouble going up or down stairs. You may feel very uneasy in an elevator, car or escalator because of the lack of balance and the fact that you are moving independently of what your body is doing.
It’s not uncommon for balance disorder sufferers to experience diarrhea, as their condition can upset their stomach. This can be accompanied by stomach pains and other gastrointestinal issues.
Balance disorder can affect your vision as well, blurring your eyesight and making it very difficult to see. Put these kinds of symptoms together and you can probably tell why many people who suffer from this disorder no longer drive until they get the problem sorted out or until they are on medication.
You may also experience lightheadedness, faintness or disorientation. That can make it very difficult to do anything expect sit or lie down. You should talk to your doctor when you start to experience symptoms like these.
Going to an ENT Can Help
You don’t have to continue to suffer from balance disorder. This type of health problem can make it difficult to drive a vehicle, operate any kind of machinery and even walk. If you want to get back to living your life as normal, then you should see an ENT specialist when you notice that you are having trouble with your balance. It is very likely that this kind of specialist will be able to help you get better.
Symptoms like dizziness and vertigo can be treated effectively with a variety of medications. You don’t have to continue to suffer from the ill effects and live an impaired life. In some cases, the ENT specialist may recommend that you undergo balance training exercises. These can help you to get back your balance and restore your self-confidence and mobility. There may be instances where lifestyle changes are called for, and dietary or fitness regimens may need to be implemented to help treat the balance issues. Your ENT specialist can advise you what to do after the initial diagnosis. You can get better, though, in most instances, and find the help you need to get back to your life.
