Dizziness/Vertigo

There is no age in which dizziness should be considered normal. The first step a person should take who is experiencing unsteadiness or the "world spinning"/vertigo is visit an emergency room, walk-in clinic or their primary care physician. After life threatening causes of dizziness or low blood pressure have been ruled out, then a visit to Dr. Tamez is warranted. The majority of dizziness/vertigo is due to inner ear issues. The dizziness or vertigo can be caused by the following factors:

• Otitis Media (OM) or Otitis Media with Effussion (OME) - Fluid behind the ear drum
• Benign Positional Paroxysmal Vertigo/BPPV - Loose crystals in the balance organ
• Labyrinthitis or Vestibulocochlear Labyrinthitis - Viral infection of the inner ear
• Vestibular Neuronitis - Viral infection of the vestibular nerve
• Meniere's - Too much fluid in the inner ear
• Vestibular Migraine
• Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence Syndrome

There could also be a disconnect between the balance organ in the ear, the eyes and the balance organ in the brain (cerebellum). These diagnostic entities include:

• Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex (VOR) Dysfunction
• Saccade Dysfunction
• Optokinetic (OPK) Dysfunction
• Pursuit Dysfunction
• Vestibular weakness

Possible Testing

• Audiogram
• Tympanogram
• Hallpike
• Electronystamogram (ENG)
• MRI brain

Possible Treatments

• Epley Maneuver
• Semont Maneuver
• Vestibular Therapy
• Diuretic Treatment
• Migraine Treatment
• Middle ear steroid injections

Preparation for ENG Testing (Preparación para el estudio de Electronistagmografía - ENG)

• English version
• Versión española

Fact Sheets

• Dizziness and Motion Sickness
• Meniere's Disease
• Fall Prevention