Can a neurologist diagnose balance problems?

Our neurologists and neurosurgeons diagnose and treat balance dysfunction that is the result of neurologic disorders or neurologic impairment. While the vast majority of balance problems are caused by problems with the inner ear, there may be neurological causes for balance disorders which require neurological care.

What neurological problems cause balance problems?

What kind of doctor should I see for balance problems?

Diagnosis of a balance disorder is difficult. To find out if you have a balance problem, your primary doctor may suggest that you see an otolaryngologist and an audiologist. An otolaryngologist is a physician and surgeon who specializes in diseases and disorders of the ear, nose, neck, and throat.

How does a neurologist test balance?

The Romberg test is a test that measures your sense of balance. It's typically used to diagnose problems with your balance, which is composed of your visual, vestibular (inner ear), and proprioceptive (positional sense) systems during a neurological exam.

How is balance disorder diagnosed?

A posturography test indicates which parts of your balance system you rely on most. Electronystagmography and videonystagmography. Both tests record your eye movements, which play a role in vestibular function and balance. Electronystagmography uses electrodes to record eye movements.

Balance and Dizziness Problems Addressed at Penn Medicine

What is losing balance a symptom of?

Balance disorders can be signs of other health problems, such as an ear infection, stroke, or multiple sclerosis. In some cases, you can help treat a balance disorder by seeking medical treatment for the illness that is causing the disorder.

What is the main cause of balance problems?

Problems with balance can involve dizziness or vertigo, causing a spinning or falling sensation. Common causes of this disorienting feeling include inner ear problems, circulation changes, head or neck injuries or other conditions.

Why do I feel off balance when I walk?

Losing your balance while walking, or feeling imbalanced, can result from: Vestibular problems. Abnormalities in your inner ear can cause a sensation of a floating or heavy head and unsteadiness in the dark. Nerve damage to your legs (peripheral neuropathy).

Why do I feel off balance but not dizzy?

Common causes include inner ear problems, medicines, infections, and traumatic brain injury. These disorders can occur at any age. But they are most common as you get older. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and can include medicine, rehabilitation, and lifestyle changes.

What causes balance problems when walking?

Most balance problems occur because of brain or inner ear problems, or physical issues, such as broken bones or muscle injuries. Balance problems can make it difficult to walk or move.

What tests does a neurologist do for dizziness?

Imaging Tests

Testing such as MRI, CT scans and X-rays are often used to discover if additional medical conditions may be the cause of your dizziness.

Can the nervous system affect balance?

Your nervous system sends information from your brain and spinal cord to the rest of your body. If a part of this system is damaged, the signals can't be transmitted effectively, which leads to balance issues and falling. A traumatic injury, such as a concussion or stroke, could cause you to feel off balance.

Do balance disorders go away?

A balance disorder is a condition in which a person frequently feels dizzy or unbalanced while standing, sitting, or lying down and these symptoms continue over a period of time. Most often, balance problems that are not associated with a balance disorder go away on their own within 1-2 weeks.

Can a pinched nerve cause balance problems?

Pinched nerves can cause headaches and a loss of balance. As the bones degrade, dizzy spells become more and more frequent.

What part of the body controls balance?

The inner ear is home to the cochlea and the main parts of the vestibular system. The vestibular system is one of the sensory systems that provides your brain with information about balance, motion, and the location of your head and body in relation to your surroundings.

Can neck problems cause balance issues?

Neck injuries, disorders and conditions sometimes cause more than pain. They can also cause dizziness and poor balance. Cervical vertigo (or cervicogenic dizziness) creates a sensation that an individual is spinning or the world around them is spinning. It also affects your sense of balance and concentration.

Can back problems cause balance problems?

The nerves that run along your spine send signals out to the rest of your body to control movement. When vertebra or discs push against those nerves, it can interfere with your body's movements – including your ability to balance.

Why do seniors have balance problems?

Long-term medical condition that affects the nervous system can have an impact on balance, too. Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and Multiple Sclerosis are just a few. In addition, arthritis, heart problems, and certain medications seniors take for chronic illnesses can all contribute to unsteadiness.

When should you be concerned about balance problems?

Balance problems may cause dizziness and make you feel as though you're spinning or moving when you're actually standing or sitting still. As a result, you may not feel well. This can interfere with your daily life. It can also lead to falls, which can cause broken bones and other injuries.

What medications affect balance?

Is dizziness considered a neurological symptom?

It can even be due to certain types of medication. Dizziness can also be a symptom in the case of an injury, or an infection, or owing to poor circulation of the blood. Some instances of dizziness are also attributed to neurological causes, like injured nerves.

What kind of neurological problems cause dizziness?

Can a neurologist cure vertigo?

Vertigo can be caused by serious conditions, such as tumors, or conditions that are fairly benign, such the inner ear disorder Meniere's disease. But for some people, no cause can be found. In this new study, neurologists have identified a new type of vertigo where treatment may be effective.

Is there medication to improve balance?

Fampridine, also known as Fampyra (and in America as Ampyra), is a drug that can help with walking. It helps about one in three people who take it. If this drug works for you it can speed up your walking by about 25%.

At what age do you start losing your balance?

The fact is, balance declines begin somewhere between 40 to 50 years of age. The National Institute of Health reports that one in three people over 65 will experience a fall each year.