Inner ear problems can cause all kinds of symptoms that interfere with your ability to function in day-to-day life. If you’ve ever experienced imbalance, you know all about the unpleasant symptoms and how debilitating it can be.
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Some people have relatively severe symptoms, while others experience only mild symptoms. Nonetheless, these problems should be diagnosed and treated; left alone, symptoms could worsen and prevent you from doing the things you love.
What should you watch for if you’re concerned? These are the signs and symptoms:
1. Vertigo
When you were a kid, you probably spun yourself around in circles until you were so dizzy you had to sit down. Even after, the world kept spinning for a little while.
For some people with inner ear problems, the spinning sensation—or vertigo—never really goes away. Vertigo can come and go in waves, or it may be persistent. In either case, the world seems to be spinning, resulting in your feeling dizzy and off-balance.
Vertigo can make it difficult to do everything from walk a straight line to sit still.
2. Blurred Vision
Not everyone with an imbalance problem will experience blurred vision, but it can happen. This might occur with the sensation of dizziness.
Blurred vision is obviously a serious impairment; it can make it very difficult to judge distances, read, navigate, and even communicate.
3. Lightheadedness
Do you feel like you’re floating up off the floor? Or perhaps you feel a little faint, like you might pass out. Lightheadedness, faintness, and floating sensations can all be indications of balance disorders within the ear. Generally speaking, they’re coupled with other symptoms, such as dizziness.
4. A Feeling of Falling
Some people with dizziness/imbalance problems do fall down; their balance is so badly affected that they have difficulty walking or even standing up.
Others may simply feel like they’re going to fall down or experience the sensation of falling. Some people experience this sensation as they’re lying down or trying to sleep.
5. Disorientation
Inner ear problems, such as balance disorders, can cause some people to feel disoriented. This is a sensation of almost being disengaged from your own body and in some cases difficulty thinking about where you are relative to other objects. Obviously, this is another reason someone suffering from these problems can be at risk for a fall.
6. Staggering
The most commonly noted sign of dizziness/imbalance is the inability to walk properly. You may stagger or stumble as you try to make your way from point A to point B—even if it’s just across your living room. Many people report feeling pulled to one side while walking or running into walls. The greatest risk is a fall or injury.
7. Nausea
The sensation of spinning, dizziness, and falling, along with blurred vision, can make you feel sick to your stomach. For some people, it may also result in vomiting. While nausea isn’t a good indication of an inner ear problem on its own, when it’s coupled with other symptoms, it can help diagnose a disorder.
8. Anxiety
Like nausea, vomiting, anxiety, fear, or panic aren’t clear indicators of a balance disorder—at least, not on their own. But some people with dizziness/imbalance disorders do experience these symptoms. Your heart might start racing as you fear you’re falling through the floor or floating away.
Associated Audiologists has experts in dizziness/imbalance disorders who use highly sophisticated technology to diagnose and treat this problem. Schedule an appointment at Associated Audiologists with our vestibular specialist if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.
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