Before visiting a dizziness specialist, it’s essential to understand what they do and don’t do. While many doctors appear to be the best option, it’s important to do your research. The doctor will look for underlying causes of dizziness and suggest treatment based on this information. In some cases, the dizziness may be due to an undiagnosed condition. The doctor will also perform specific tests that measure how much activity the sympathetic nervous system is doing.
While the cause of dizziness is usually not known, medications and alcohol are commonly associated with it. Treatments for dizziness range from physical therapy and dietary changes to surgeries. Although dizziness usually resolves on its own, in some cases, it may not. This is when a dizziness specialist can help. A doctor can determine whether dizziness is the result of a neurological or a physical problem and prescribe the proper treatment.
Fortunately, dizziness is not always a sign of a major health problem, but it can be an indication of something more serious. A physician can perform a comprehensive diagnostic exam to rule out heart or circulatory disorders and other causes. An expert in this field will be able to assess your health history and test your balance and central nervous system to determine the cause. Your physician will determine whether a condition is causing dizziness and help you get back to living a normal life.
When the symptoms of dizziness are too severe to be ignored, it’s crucial to consult a dizziness specialist. The symptoms of dizziness are often related to poor sleep, so it’s important to make sure that you get enough rest. To create a conducive environment to sleep, try to avoid caffeine and alcohol before bedtime, make sure your bedroom is comfortable, and limit your use of electronic devices before bed.
Although benign positional vertigo is more common in older people, it can occur in younger people as well. Leonard, a UConn Health Center physician, began experiencing symptoms two years ago and at first thought she was suffering from the flu. Luckily, her husband, Dr. Gerald Leonard, has created a dizziness clinic at the hospital. He treats the condition and works with patients to improve their quality of life. Thankfully, most dizziness patients resolve their condition on their own after undergoing treatment.
The doctor may prescribe physical therapy or undergo a comprehensive examination to identify the cause of dizziness. For some people, psychotherapy may help them overcome their anxiety. For others, injections may disable the vestibular labyrinth and enable the unaffected ear to take over the function of balance. Sometimes, dizziness may also be caused by a stroke, in which case a dizziness specialist may perform a MRI of the head or perform a venous ultrasound to rule out other causes.
When a dizziness specialist is called to diagnose the problem, he or she will ask the patient to provide specific details regarding the symptoms. These details will help the doctor narrow down the possible causes and prescribe the right treatment plan. In addition to this, he or she will also check the inner ear and blood pressure and other factors.