How to do Home Balance Exercises for Treating Dizziness VIDEO

The home balance exercises described in the video may be helpful to resolve dizziness due to vestibular dysfunction that is NOT due to BPPV or Meniere's Disease which are treated differently. Vestibular dysfunction amenable to a home exercise regimen is typically determined based on VNG or ENG testing . Such exercises are helpful in select patients as it slowly challenges the inner ear balance system in such a way to make it work better. The analogy would be a young gymnast doing re…

11/19/2017 0

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Vitamin D Deficiency Associated with BPPV Occurrence and Recurrence

There is increasing evidence that Vitamin D deficiency may be a risk factor for BPPV as well as its recurrences. BPPV is a condition whereby a person may suffer from brief but severe vertiginous attacks with head position changes that occur due to displaced otoliths (calcium crystals) within the inner ear. Although easy to treat with precisely defined head position maneuvers (, i.e. Epley maneuver for posterior canal BPPV ), its occurrence let alone recurrence can be alarming for patients.…

8/17/2017 0

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Meclizine (Antivert) to Treat Dizziness - Bad Idea?

It seems almost reflexive that anybody who complains of dizziness gets a prescription for meclizine (aka antivert , dramamine , bonine , etc). However, this drug which is also available over-the-counter is often not the best way to treat dizziness. Depending on what is causing the dizziness, this drug may actually prolong or even worsen this symptom. Meclizine is an anti-histamine similar to allergy medications like claritin , benadryl , zyrtec , etc. It also has anticholinergic properti…

10/17/2015 1

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Pro Golfer Jason Day Collapses from Vertigo During 2015 US Open

If you are an avid golfer, you have probably seen by now pro golfer Jason Day stumbling several times and ultimately collapsing on the 9th hole during Round 2 of the 2015 US Open at Chambers Bay. Later, his agent reported that Jason suffered from BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo). This condition is classically described as sudden onset severe spinning attacks that lasts only a few seconds to minutes triggered by a head position change. Although scary, this is perhaps one of the e…

6/22/2015 0

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Video of Cochlear Hydrops (What Happens in the Inner Ear)

This video  demonstrates what is thought to occur in  Cochlear Hydrops  within the inner ear. It is hypothesized that  Cochlear Hydrops  is due to an excessive amount of fluid buildup within the endolymphatic chamber causing symptoms of  tinnitus  and  ear fullness . No dizziness is present.

2/11/2015 0

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Video of Meniere's Disease (What Happens in the Inner Ear)

This is the sixth and last in a series of videos our practice has produced on inner ear dizziness.  This video  demonstrates what is thought to occur in Meniere's Disease within the inner ear. It is hypothesized that Meniere's Disease is due to an excessive amount of fluid buildup within the endolymphatic chamber causing symptoms of tinnitus and ear fullness . When this chamber ruptures, spinning dizziness , also known as vertigo, results. Once the rupture has healed, hearing and b…

2/06/2015 0

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Video of Deep Head-Hanging to Treat BPPV (Superior Canal)

This is the fifth in a series of videos our practice is producing on inner ear dizziness.  This video  demonstrates how the  Deep Head-Hanging maneuver  is performed to treat superior (or anterior) canal  BPPV . Also demonstrated is what happens within the inner ear when the maneuver is performed correctly. The first video was on  how the inner ear balance system works  which can be watched  here . The second video was on the  Dix-Hallpike maneuver  to diagnose BPPV and which canal type. …

12/05/2014 0

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Video of Lempert (BBQ Roll) to Treat BPPV (Horizontal Canal)

This is the fourth in a series of videos our practice is producing on inner ear dizziness.  This video  demonstrates how the  Lempert maneuver  is performed to treat horizontal (or lateral) canal  BPPV . The Lempert maneuver is also known as the barbecue roll. Also demonstrated is what happens within the inner ear when the maneuver is performed correctly. The first video was on  how the inner ear balance system works  which can be watched  here . The second video was on the Dix-Hallpike man…

11/24/2014 0

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Flowchart to Diagnose What Type of BPPV and Proper Treatment

BPPV  (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) is one of the most common causes of imbalance accounting for about 20% of all dizziness. BPPV is also one of the most easily treated forms of dizziness which can be "cured" 80% of the time with a simple less than 10 minute body maneuver technique. However, the main issue with treatment is that one has to first: 1) Correctly diagnose BPPV using the Dix-Hallpike maneuver 2) Determine what type of BPPV (posterior, lateral, or superior) …

11/01/2014 0

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Video of Epley to Treat BPPV (Posterior Canal)

This is the third in a series of videos our practice is producing on inner ear dizziness.  This video  demonstrates how the  Epley maneuver  is performed to treat posterior canal  BPPV . Also demonstrated is what happens within the inner ear when the maneuver is performed correctly. The first video was on  how the inner ear balance system works  which can be watched  here . Of course, you can use this DizzyFix device to ensure you are performing the maneuver correctly. Soon to come are t…

9/27/2014 2

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UFC Boss Dana White Underwent Surgery for Meniere's Disease

Balance is very important in martial arts... So imagine have a condition like Meniere's Disease and being the boss of the Ultimate Fighting Championship organization. Dana White who is the president of the UFC organization apparently has Meniere's Disease since 2011 causing  symptoms of ringing , ear fullness, fluctuating hearing loss , and spinning attacks that last for hours to days at a time. Usually, one ear is the culprit though it can occur on both sides as well. Presum…

1/16/2013 0

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Nasal Spray to Help Motion Sickness

Over the years, many NASA initiated research has resulted in new products and treatments geared towards advancing the space-program, but has eventually led to benefits to us earth-bound mortals including: the computer mouse telemetry weather satellites cochlear implant NASA publication Spinoff highlights these research innovations that has benefitted the general public. Well, you can now add dizziness treatment to another NASA innovation to help motion sickness. Born of t…

10/13/2012 0

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Actress Kristin Chenoweth Suffers from Meniere's Disease

Image by Drama League in Wikipedia Kristin Chenoweth is an accomplished actress both on TV and live on Broadway having performed in Wicked as Glinda as well as appearances in TV shows Glee and Pushing Daisies . She also suffers from Meniere's Disease which was diagnosed in 2007. As such, she is prone to dizzy attacks which may have contributed to well-known falls during performances over the years. • 2003: Fell off the stage during rehearsals for Wicked • 2006: Fell off the …

7/16/2012 1

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MRI Scans CAN Cause Vertigo

Researchers at Johns Hopkins published a study that reports that MRI scans CAN cause feelings of dizziness induced by magnetic fields causing motion of the electrically charged fluid of the inner ear. In both ears, there is a "gyroscope" called the labyrinth. Whenever the head turns or a force like gravity is exerted on this system, fluid moves within which tells the brain that motion has occurred. It's much like looking into a glass of water and based on the way the water t…

9/27/2011 1

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A New Treatment for Meniere's Disease!

I read with interest an MSNBC article that describes a brand new surgical treatment for Meniere's Disease, a debilitating disorder in which a patient suffers spinning attacks that last for hours to days. The treatment is an electrical device surgically implanted into the vestibular system of the ear, much like a cochlear implant for deaf individuals. The device, called "UW/Nucleus Vestibular Implant," is surgically installed behind the affected ear with a small wire threaded …

10/21/2010 0

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Effective Home Treatment for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

A research article was published in July 2010 that found use of a device called " DizzyFIX " had cure rates for BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) of ~88% which is similar to standard treatment (Semont and Epley maneuvers) performed by a physician. Although there are YouTube videos on how to do the Epley and Semont maneuvers correctly, unfortunately, patients rarely do it correctly when doing it privately at home resulting in prolongation of their symptoms. The …

7/20/2010 0

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