ADVERTISEMENT Dizziness? Balance problems? You are not alone. Dizziness (or vertigo) is one of the most common reasons that adults see physicians. It is a serious condition, increasing the risk of serious falls by 13 times. Because Judith White, MD, dizziness can be PhD caused by blood pressure variations, infections and other medical issues, seeing your primary care physician is a good first step. “Vertigo is an illusion of movement,” says Judith White, MD, PhD, director of Cleveland Clinic’s Dizziness, Balance and Fall Prevention Center at the Beachwood Family Health and Surgery Center. “Recall the childhood game of spinning quickly and abruptly stopping – everything continues spinning for a few seconds.” Usually, vertigo indicates an imbalance in the vestibular portion of the inner ear and brain. Three tiny fluid-filled canals in the ear detect motion and gravity, helping us to stay upright and focus on objects – even while we move. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), the most common vestibular disorder, affects about 30 percent of people at some point. When people with BPPV awaken and turn in bed, the room rapidly swirls around them (often accompanied by nausea). Any head movement worsens the symptoms. BPPV occurs when tiny particles in the inner ear dislocate and float into areas where they do not belong. “Often, we can pinpoint the exact location of stray particles using infrared recording technology during an office visit,” says Dr. White. “A vestibular physical therapist, neurologist or otolaryngologist specializing in vestibular disorders can coax particles back to their proper locations by slowly rolling the patient’s head.” Other vestibular disorders can cause loss of function in one or both inner ears, which may result in severe, prolonged vertigo and imbalance, and sometimes hearing loss. With appropriate treatment, most people with vestibular disorders have a good chance of recovery. For an appointment at Cleveland Clinic’s Dizziness, Balance and Fall Prevention Center at the Beachwood Family Health and Surgery Center, call 216.839.3000. Cleveland Clinic offers same-day appointments. 90 local addresses. All home to Cleveland Clinic care. Same-day appointments clevelandclinic.org/hospitals 866.733.6363 5397-01_REGRET_Mailbox_White_7.375x9.875_VAR0.indd 1 4/9/15 11:07 13 May 2015 n Beachwood Buzz AM