Here at Physio Performance Drogheda, we are delighted to have our expert physio Caylan who specialises in Vestibular Physiotherapy and Rehab. This involves the diagnosis and management of disorders that cause dizziness and vertigo.

Vertigo is a symptom and a sub-type of dizziness that describes the sensation of your environment spinning or the sensation of you spinning. Vertigo is often used interchangeably with dizziness but has important differences. Dizziness is an umbrella term that covers light headedness, unbalanced or a woozy sensation.

Research data has shown that those who suffer from vertigo and balance disorders make up 5-7% of patients visiting a GP office. Around 30% of people will suffer from vertigo at some point in their lives. It can be experienced in all ages, but has found to be much more prevalent among people aged 65 and older. It is the third most common reason to visit a GP in this age category.

Alongside the symptom of vertigo, your balance and the sensation of nausea can often be present. The most common causes of vertigo are to do with your inner ear vestibular system that affect your equilibrium and balance. These include:

–Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

-Labyrinthitis: an inner ear infection usually caused by a virus

-Vestibular Neuronitis: inflammation of the vestibular nerve (the nerve within the inner ear that signals to the brain)

-Meniere’s Disease: a rare progressive inner ear condition that causes ringing in the ear (tinnitus) and hearing loss.

Other causes for vertigo can be in relation to migraines, head impact injuries and some types of medications. There are also idiopathic (unknown) causes for the symptom of vertigo.

If you are experiencing vertigo, vestibular rehabilitation, which is a form of physiotherapy, can help to retrain your brain to process information correctly. It involves exercises targeting postural control and balance, gaze stability (ability to see clearly during head movements) and to decrease motion sensitivity.

Are you struggling with vertigo or dizziness?

Not sure where to start?

We are here to help!

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, or if you have a question on vestibular disorders, do not hesitate to get in touch with us here at Physio Performance on 041-9877059 – Caylan would be more than happy to help!