Welcome to Vestibular Therapy Associates

Dizziness is a non-specific term used to describe a range of sensations that can make a person feel unsteady, lightheaded, faint, or as if they or their surroundings are spinning or moving. It is a common symptom that can result from various underlying causes, including issues with the inner ear, neurological conditions, cardiovascular problems, medication side effects, dehydration, anxiety, and more.

There are different types of dizziness:

Vertigo: The sensation that the person or their surroundings are spinning or moving, even when standing still. Often occurs due to problems with the inner ear or the vestibular system.

• Presyncope: Feeling faint or lightheaded without losing consciousness, often from a temporary decrease in blood flow to the brain.
• Disequilibrium: A feeling of unsteadiness or imbalance, as if the person is going to fall.
• Lightheadedness: Dizziness characterised by feelings of floating, disorientation, or difficulty concentrating.

Dizziness can be accompanied by additional symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sweating, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), headache, or visual disturbances.

Dizziness is a common symptom following brain injuries and can persist for varying durations. The prevalence ranges widely depending on severity and type of injury.

• Traumatic Brain Injuries: Dizziness occurs in approximately 30% to over 70% of individuals with TBIs.
• Mild TBIs (Concussions): Dizziness occurs in 30% to 90% of individuals who sustain concussions.
• Moderate to Severe TBIs: Dizziness is prevalent across the entire spectrum of TBI severity.
• Post-Concussion Syndrome: Dizziness can persist for weeks or months after the initial injury.
• Other Brain Injuries: Dizziness can also occur in haemorrhages, strokes, or tumours depending on location and extent of damage.

Dizziness can have profound consequences for TBI patients, affecting their physical, emotional, and social well-being.

• Increased Risk of Falls — impairs balance, heightening injury risk
• Functional Impairment — disrupts daily activities, work, and recreation
• Anxiety and Depression — chronic dizziness leads to social isolation
• Difficulty Concentrating — impairs cognitive function and rehab progress
• Increased Fatigue — physically and mentally exhausting
• Decreased Independence — leads to reliance on others
• Impact on Relationships — strains family and caregiver dynamics
• Poor Engagement with Therapies — delays recovery
• Work and Financial Challenges — hinders ability to work
• Avoidance of Activities — results in social withdrawal

Diagnosing dizziness in individuals with TBIs involves a comprehensive evaluation by a specialist. The diagnosis is based on characteristic symptoms, history of head trauma, and clinical findings.

Visual vertigo, also known as visually induced dizziness, is characterized by symptoms of dizziness, vertigo, and imbalance that are triggered or worsened by specific visual stimuli or environments.

Cervicogenic dizziness refers to dizziness that arises from dysfunction in the cervical spine/neck. It is characterized by symptoms of dizziness, unsteadiness, or imbalance related to cervical musculoskeletal disorders.

Balance control is a complex process that relies on the integration of sensory inputs from multiple systems: vestibular, visual, and somatosensory. TBI often disrupts this integration, leading to significant balance issues.

Many TBI patients do not routinely undergo comprehensive vestibular assessment due to a combination of cognitive, communicative, and sensory factors. A lack of awareness and a shortage of specialists can lead to gaps in effective treatment.