Alan Desmond

Alan Desmond, AuD, is the director of the Balance Disorders Program at Wake Forest Baptist Health Center, and holds an adjunct assistant professor faculty position at the Wake Forest School of Medicine. He has written several books and book chapters on balance disorders and vestibular function. He is the co-author of the Clinical Practice Guideline for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). In 2015, he was the recipient of the President's Award from the American Academy of Audiology.

Treating Dizziness Related to Blood Pressure Issues – Part III

The treatment of dizziness related to blood pressure abnormalities is not within the scope of Audiology practice, and is best managed by an Internist or Primary Care physician. None of the suggestions listed below should be attempted without first consulting with your physician. As noted in the previous blogs, dizziness on rising from the sitting or supine position is frequently

Blood Pressure and Dizziness –Part II

Last week we talked about blood pressure and dizziness, and a condition known as orthostatic hypotension. This week we dig a bit deeper, and talk about proper measurement techniques as well as problems with diagnosing this condition. Orthostatic hypotension is a clinical sign, not a disease. The most common symptom associated with OH is postural pre-syncope (a lightheaded or near

Welcome to the Vestibular Corner…

…at Hearing Health & Technology Matters! This site is primarily devoted to issues relating to hearing loss, but let’s not forget the ears do much more than just hear. The inner ear is critical to balance, orientation and visual clarity when you are moving. When something goes wrong with the inner ear, life (as you knew it) stops. It is

Blood Pressure and Dizziness

Many patients complain of dizziness or light headedness on rising from the sitting or supine position. Postural dizziness has been loosely correlated with postural or orthostatic hypotension (OH). The American Academy of Neurology (1996) has issued a consensus statement defining orthostatic hypotension which can be found here in a later post. There is some inconsistency in both education and practice