Balance and Dizziness Part 1: Causes

Many of us will experience dizziness at one time or another. In this blog we will go over some of the most common causes of dizziness and balance issues.

Dizziness related to the inner ear is certainly one of the biggest causes of balance issues. This is because the vestibular system, the bodies balance organ, is located in the inner ear. This system works in conjunction with our visual system and muscles and joints to give us our sense of balance. So, any pathology that affects the inner ear can potentially affect our balance.

One such pathology is Menier's Disease, which causes dizziness, tinnitus, and hearing loss, usually affecting one ear. This condition results from buildup of fluid in the semicircular canals of the vestibular system and is thought to be brought on by both genetic and environmental factors such as a virus. Menier's is just one of several conditions that can affect the middle ear. In short anything that disrupts the function of the middle ear can result in balance problems.

In addition to our ears, our balance relies on our vision and feedback from our muscles and joints. So, conditions that affect these systems can also lead to dizziness. Other causes can include tumors, migraines, and degenerative brain and muscle diseases.

Sometimes the cause of dizziness can be as simple as a nasty cold or lack of sleep.

As we can see the causes of dizziness are varied. If you are experiencing dizziness, the first step is to see your doctor. In our next blog we will discuss where to seek help and how health care professionals diagnose the specific cause of your dizziness.

For more information please contact Accurate Hearing:

Sackville: 902-252-3004

Cole Harbour: 902-406-4327