Dizziness Depot

An Analysis of the Numbers Dizziness, vertigo, imbalance, falling and fear of falling are very common complaints in the adult population, and increase with age. Emergency Department (ED) data obtained from the National Ambulatory Care Survey show a 97% increase in annual visits for dizziness from 1995 to 2011, accounting for 3.9 million visits in 2011 at a cost of

In support of the Vestibular Disorders Association (VEDA) balance awareness week, this post aims to increase the awareness of vestibular disorders and the potential impact of a vestibular disorder on one’s life. Dizziness symptoms are common with an estimated annual prevalence of 33 million individuals in the United States. Symptoms of dizziness can arise from a multitude of etiologies; however, peripheral

As I have reported here over the years, meclizine (Antivert) is a commonly prescribed medication for the treatment of vertigo. A recent survey reveals that meclizine is prescribed to 21.4% of elderly patients complaining of a “balance or dizziness problem.” Meclizine is an anti-cholinergic that reduces nausea from acute vestibular disorders as well as motion sickness. In fact, over the

This post is a follow up to a post from two weeks ago in which we discussed the typical symptoms and prevalence of vestibular schwannoma, sometimes known as an acoustic neuroma. In the previous post, we also discussed the typical hearing and vestibular test findings of patients with vestibular schwannoma, as well as a specific case. Typically, those with a

Disorders of the inner ear are, for the most part, not visible through imaging and are not detected through blood tests. We get a limited and indirect view of inner ear function by evaluating the Vestibular-Ocular Reflex (VOR). These tests are fairly sensitive in determining the current status of the inner ear, but they rarely provide the ability to make

by Brady Workman, AuD Many of you may be familiar with the condition of Meniere’s disease or endolymphatic hydrops, which typically consists of episodic rotary vertigo with associated aural pressure, tinnitus, and fluctuating hearing loss in the affected ear. This topic has been covered rather extensively here on the Dizziness Depot; so for those unfamiliar with Meniere’s disease and the

This post will be an update of two previous posts regarding Mal de Debarquement syndrome (MDD). This is prompted by a recent visit from a patient that had already been diagnosed with MDD, but came to us wanting to know the latest information regarding treatment. We see only a few patients a year meeting the diagnostic criteria for MDD, so

Brady Workman is back this week with another blog post. This weeks post will focus on comprehensive vestibular assessment and what that entails. Recently, I had the opportunity to observe with staff members in the Balance Clinic at the Vanderbilt University Bill Wilkerson Center. Vanderbilt University is a prestigious university with an exemplary Balance Clinic, known worldwide as a leader

Although I struggle to understand or be entertained by many of the events in the Winter Olympics, I can appreciate the dedication and athleticism required to compete in some of them. I grew up in New England where I developed a strong aversion to anything snow related, and only appreciate ice when it is floating in a glass. This post

Editor’s Note: Brady Workman is back this week with a follow up to a post from several months ago VEMPs: what are they good for? This week’s post will instead focus on what the scientific evidence shows VEMPs are good for. The vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) is a relatively new means of vestibular assessment, which only received FDA approval