Vertigo is the sudden feeling of off-balance, such as an internal or external spinning sensation.

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is one of the most common, yet disturbing types of vertigo that one can experience.  This condition happens when “canaliths” or calcium carbonate crystals break free inside the inner ear and disrupts the signals sent to the brain indicating that the head has moved.

The name itself describes what actually happens when the crystals break free.

• Benign simply means that this is not a disease process and while disturbing, it is not a health threat.
• Paroxysmal means that these symptoms can suddenly occur and reoccur seemingly without warning.
• Positional means that these symptoms are brought on by movements of the head.
• Vertigo is the sense of you, or the world, spinning out of control.

Treatment happens by relocating the crystals to the sensory organs of the ears by placing your head in a sequence of positions.

Meniere’s Disease is an inner ear condition that can cause vertigo and hearing loss. In most cases, the disease affects only one ear and the hearing loss can become permanent.

Headaches, migraines, tension and stress headaches are all very common with vestibular injuries. The underlying cause of these headaches could be a number of vertigo-related illnesses.

Neuronitis is an inflammation of the peripheral nervous system. The symptoms depend on which nerve(s) are involved but can include pain, commonly described as burning, stabbing, or tingling, paralysis, wasting and disappearing of the reflexes.

Labyrinthitis is a disorder from an infection that causes inflammation in the inner ear and/or the nerves that connect the inner ear to the brain. This inflammation creates disruption of sensory information from the ear to the brain. The symptoms include dizziness, nausea, vertigo, and minor loss of hearing.

Acoustic Neuroma is a benign tumor that develops of the nerves (vestibular & cochlear) that connect the ear to the brain. The pressure of the tumor can cause hearing loss and imbalance.

A concussion is an event that disrupts the brain’s normal function.  These events are associated with a relatively brief change in mental status or consciousness. View our Concussion Injury page for more information!

Mal De Debarquement is a rare disorder of the vestibular system that results in an imbalance/swaying sensation often felt and seen by the sufferer. The symptoms can be made worse when a person is not moving.

Unilateral and Bilateral Vestibular Hypofunction is an umbrella term for when the balance system in your inner ear is not working properly. The most common symptoms that the vestibular system is not working properly are: dizziness/vertigo, poor balance, blurred vision, nausea and trouble walking.

Cerebellar Degeneration is the deterioration of the neurons in the cerebellum. The cerebellum is the part of the brain that controls muscle coordination and balance. The symptoms of Cerebellar Degeneration are characterized by a wide-legged, usually unsteady, lurching walk accompanied by tremors in the body.