NHS Lothian has a specialist vestibular team that works closely with ENT to diagnose and treating balance and vestibular disorders. If you are experiencing any symptoms, please discuss these with your GP who can refer you into this service. If you have been seen previously by the team for either vestibular rehabilitation or treatment of BPPV, you can contact the department directly and a review appointment can be arranged.
There are a number of potential causes of dizziness and imbalance. The most common causes related to the inner ear are discussed below. There are also a number of causes that are not related to inner ear problems including cardiac problems, blood pressure and peripheral neuropathy. Any concerns regarding these, please contact your GP.
Benign Paroxsymal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
BPPV is one of the most common causes of vertigo. It is estimated to affect roughly 50% of all people at some time in their lives and becomes progressively more common with age. Getting out of bed and rolling over in bed are two of the most common triggers. The duration of the vertigo is brief; usually five to 30 seconds. It is common for BPPV to clear up by itself after a few weeks or months, however if it does not resolve treatment is a safe, simple and quick series of head movements known as a particle repositioning manoeuvre which can be performed by an Audiologist.
For more information on BPPV click on the links below
Labyrinthitis and Vestibular Neuronitis
Labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis are types of inner ear infection that can affect your balance. Symptoms can start suddenly and they may be there when you wake up and get worse as the day goes on. Symptoms of labyrinthitis include: dizziness or a feeling that everything around you is spinning, feeling unsteady and off balance, feeling or being sick, hearing loss, and tinnitus (ringing in your ears). Symptoms of vestibular neuritis are very similar, but it does not cause hearing loss or tinnitus. Whilst many patients are completely free of symptoms within a few weeks, others can have chronic dizziness for many months, or possibly years. This requires treatment called vestibular rehabilitation which involves tailored exercises and regular appointments with an Audiologist.
Vestibular Migraine
Vestibular Migraine is a type of migraine that may present with a combination of vertigo, dizziness or balance problems with other migraine symptoms. Typical symptoms include: feeling sick (nausea), sensitivity to light, sensitivity to sounds, and sensitivity to movement. Patients also report difficulty concentrating, visual changes such as blurring, and extreme tiredness and fatigue. Many factors can trigger a migraine; such as weather, hormonal changes, and certain foods.
For more information on Vestibular Migraine click on the links below
Meniere ’s disease
Meniere’s disease is a condition of the inner ear and is characterised by: hearing loss, tinnitus (a sound in your ear), vertigo, and a feeling of fullness in your ear. These symptoms often occur together and can last anywhere from a few minutes to hours. It usually affects one ear, but can progress to both ears in some cases. Vestibular rehabilitation involves tailored exercises for your balance system in between attacks, or in the later stages of the disease.
For more information on Meniere’s disease click on the links below
Other useful links:
Please note that some of these links are not NHS web pages and clicking the link may take you to a different website
