Vestibular Failure
The vestibular system, part of the inner ear, controls the body's sense of balance and direction. When this system fails, patients must learn to compensate for the loss of balance, and resulting dizziness.
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The Vestibular System
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The vestibular system is made up of several small canals in the inner ear, sometimes called a labyrinth. Hairs in these canals react to, and send messages about, head movement.
Vestibular Failure
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Vestibular failure occurs when the labyrinth or eighth cranial nerve stops responding appropriately, and critical information about movement is no longer conveyed to the central nervous system. This failure can occur unilaterally or bilaterally.
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Symptoms
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Those who suffer from a bilateral loss often suffer a general loss of balance and blurred vision. Vertigo can occur in patients with a bilateral loss, but is more common in those with unilateral failure, because of the resulting spinning sensation. Patients with unilateral failure may also experience visual symptoms when moving their head.
Causes
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Causes of vestibular failure include age, use of ototoxic drugs and trauma.
Management
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Management of vestibular loss occurs primarily through counseling. Patients must learn about major risks, ways to improve safety and methods for compensating for the loss.
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References
- Brain Journal Abstract: Evidence for cortical visual substitution of chronic bilateral vestibular failure (an fMRI study )
- Pulse: How to differentiate problematic dizziness
- University of Bristol: Vertigo, Dizziness and Disorders of the Facial Nerve
- Journal of Neurology: Unilateral vestibular failure suppresses cortical visual motion processing (Abstract)
- Photo Credit ear image by Ericos from Fotolia.com
