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If you are a new patient, please refer to the New Patient Questionaire and fax it to us at 404.778.3745.
Dizziness is a general term that includes a number of symptoms including:
- Vertigo
- Imbalance and falls
- Lightheadedness
- Motion sickness
- Rocking or swaying.
Dizziness is caused by a number of different disorders.
- The most common cause of vertigo is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). BPPV is due to calcium debris in the inner ear, which can be treated with the canalith-repositioning maneuver, which takes just a few minutes to perform. Patients with dizziness from this disorder can be diagnosed by the clinical exam and require no sophisticated testing.
- The most common cause of chronic imbalance or disequilibrium is probably multi-factorial involving mild sensory loss, decreased muscle strength and other medical problems such as arthritis. This can be diagnosed by a neurological examination and is best treated through a physical therapy program of balance, strengthening and endurance exercises.
- There are several other causes for dizziness. For this reason, it is sometimes necessary for a patient to undergo a detailed examination and specific tests before the diagnosis can be made or treatment can be initiated.
The Dizziness and Eye Movement Center has state-of-the art testing equipment that can be used to help in the diagnosis when the problem is not readily diagnosed during the clinical exam. This equipment includes rotary chair testing, caloric testing, and dynamic posturography to quantify balance disorders from a variety of causes. The results from these tests are in the diagnosis. If the cause of the dizziness requires an exercise program, that program will be set up by the appropriate physical therapist in the program. For vestibular problems, this therapy involves vestibular and balance retaining through swift and repetitive exercises of the head, eyes and entire body. After training from the therapist, exercises can be performed at home. Other exercises are used primarily to improve balance.
- The evaluation consists of a clinical examination, which may be followed by eye movement/vestibular function and balance tests. The entire evaluation takes 1-2 hours. If possible, take no sleeping medications, tranquilizers or dizziness/vertigo medications in the 24-hour period prior to the test. Please do not wear any makeup on the skin around the eyes. We will measure your distance visual acuity; so if you use glasses or contact lenses to improve vision, please wear one of these corrective devices.
- Clinic appointments to Dr. Tusa and Dr. Hartman can be made by the appointment desk at 404-712-1976. Patients can make appointments with Dr. Herdman or the other physical therapists by calling 404-712-1959. Patients must have a physician's referral for treatment by one of the physical therapists. Drs. Herdman and Hall treat only patients with vestibular problems. Lisa Heusel-Gillig treats patients with balance disorders and non-vestibular problems. The primary site for the Dizziness and Balance Center is at the Center for Rehabilitation at Emory Medical School.
Other References
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