Dizziness Depot

Featured image for “Hearing Loss and Increased Risk of Falling”
Feb. 28, 2024

Hearing Loss and Increased Risk of Falling

Brady Workman
Falls are the leading cause of injury related death in adults 65 or older. In the United States, around $50 billion is spent annually on medical care related to falls in older adults. Data from the World Health Organization estimates that more than 680,000 people die and 172 million suffer from falls related disabilities annually worldwide. Hearing loss is also
Featured image for “Migraine Causes Symptom Overlap with Ear Conditions: A Clinical Conundrum”
Jan. 30, 2024

Migraine Causes Symptom Overlap with Ear Conditions: A Clinical Conundrum

Brady Workman
Vestibular disorders are amongst the most common causes for dizziness accounting for around 40% of all dizziness. In recent years it has become apparent that vestibular migraine is one of the most common vestibular disorders and may even be the most common cause of recurrent episodic spontaneous vertigo. There is not a diagnostic test for vestibular migraine and the diagnosis
Featured image for “Reconsidering Meniere’s Disease”
Jan. 09, 2024

Reconsidering Meniere’s Disease

HHTM
Ménière’s disease continues to mystify even the most the most seasoned practitioners. If you put 10 specialists in a room, you will likely get 10 or more opinions about the cause and most effective treatments for Meniere’s disease (MD). In fact, one recent 2019 survey of patients with a diagnosis of MD found 24 different treatments, all with similar efficacy.1
Featured image for “Tips and tricks for treating BPPV”
Nov. 28, 2023

Tips and tricks for treating BPPV

Brady Workman
Last month’s post focused on atypical causes of positional vertigo. This month’s post will be a change of pace and will consist of some general tips and tricks that we have found helpful in treating patients with BPPV. Some of the items covered may seem rudimentary to experienced practitioners but hopefully it will be informative to others. Correct positioning during
Featured image for “Atypical positional vertigo”
Oct. 26, 2023

Atypical positional vertigo

Brady Workman
The majority of cases of positional vertigo are attributed to the condition of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). BPPV occurs when otoconia migrate into the semicircular canals of the inner ear, resulting in nystagmus and a sense of vertigo that occurs with head movement or position change. Most cases of BPPV impact the posterior semicircular and are readily treated with
Featured image for “Checklist for Evaluating Acute and Recent Onset Vertigo and Dizziness”
Sep. 19, 2023

Checklist for Evaluating Acute and Recent Onset Vertigo and Dizziness

Alan Desmond
In my last blog post, I reviewed the new GRACE 3 guideline for acute dizziness and vertigo in the emergency department. The first recommendation from that guideline was that Emergency Department (ED) physicians need training in bedside tests such as the HINTS protocol, the Dix-Hallpike test, and performing the Epley maneuver when applicable. I also suggested that those of us
Featured image for “Meniere’s Disease: Still a Mystery”
Aug. 29, 2023

Meniere’s Disease: Still a Mystery

Brady Workman
There have been symptom reports consistent with Meniere’s disease for many years yet it still remains poorly understood. There is some suspicion that historical figures such as Julius Caesar, Martin Luther, and even Vincent Van Gogh may have had the condition.4 The condition was first theorized to be an inner ear condition by French physician Dr. Prosper Meniere in 1861.3
Featured image for “Vestibular Schwannoma, Acoustic Neuroma: Common Findings for an Uncommon Diagnosis”
Jul. 18, 2023

Vestibular Schwannoma, Acoustic Neuroma: Common Findings for an Uncommon Diagnosis

Brady Workman
As audiologists providing both vestibular and hearing assessment, we evaluate individuals with a variety of hearing and/or dizziness related symptoms. We frequently encounter the same common diagnoses. For instance, a symmetric high frequency sensorineural (inner ear/auditory nerve) hearing loss is commonly encountered in a hearing evaluation and may be observed in older adult patients and/or those who have been exposed
Featured image for “Understanding Motion Sickness”
Jul. 17, 2023

Understanding Motion Sickness

Alan Desmond
I have been told that it is rude to ask people what they do for a living in Italy. I know that seems like a strange way to start a blog about vestibular disorders, but hang in here with me for a minute. I just got back from a week-long vacation visiting friends at their lake house in Michigan. I
Featured image for “Academy of Emergency Medicine Releases Guideline for Acute Vertigo”
Jul. 06, 2023

Academy of Emergency Medicine Releases Guideline for Acute Vertigo

Alan Desmond
The Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, in May of 2023, published GRACE-3. Grace is an acronym for Guideline for Reasonable and Appropriate Care in the Emergency Department. GRACE 1 and 2 offer guidelines for chest pain and abdominal pain. GRACE-3 addresses “acute vertigo and dizziness in the emergency department”. This is a welcome, much needed, and frankly overdue development as