Grant Regional | aspire to live well | Fall 2021

GRHC FALL ISSUE 2021 07 Dizziness Dizziness can be more than a bothersome experience. It increases the risk that you might fall, and for people with recurrent or chronic dizziness, it can prevent them from being able to do the things they want to do. • DIZZINESS • UNSTEADINESS • IMBALANCE SYMPTOMS OF VERTIGO Thomas J. Benda MD What to do for If you are experiencing either of these issues, it’s important to talk to your primary care provider and ask to be evaluated. Dr. Thomas Benda, ENT specializes in the diagnosis and treatment related to vertigo and imbalance. These issues can be debilitating for many patients. Common causes of vertigo include Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), Vestibular neuronitis/labyrinthitis, Meniere’s disease, and vestibular migraine. Dr. Benda has years of experience and is skilled in talking with and examining patients to determine the cause of their dizziness, and start the road to recovery. If you’ve ever felt dizzy or experienced the sensation the roomwas spinning and the problem is ongoing, it could be vertigo. Vertigo is a feeling that you or your surroundings are moving when there is no actual movement. The motion commonly is described as a feeling of spinning or whirling, but it also can include sensations of falling or tilting. It may be hard to walk or stand, and you may lose your balance and fall. If vertigo is interfering with your quality of life, turn to Grant Regional Health Center and be connected with experts who are specially trained, and certified, in the evaluation and treatment of vertigo. • REPOSITIONING THERAPY VESTIBULAR REHAB: If you have dizziness or loss of balance - schedule an assessment and we can help you get to the root cause of the problem. For more information, visit our website at www.grantregional.com . To schedule an appointment with Dr. Benda, call Grant Regional Community Clinic in Lancaster at (608) 723-2131 . uses a series of changes in head position to move the detached crystals in the inner ear out of the semicircular canals into an adjacent structure called the utricle, a sac where the crystals first formed. Once back in the utricle the crystals can either reattach, dissolve, be broken up or move somewhere else where they won’t cause symptoms. • BALANCE RETRAINING to address muscle weakness; range-of-motion limitations; walking on various surfaces that would be encountered at home and in the community; visual exercises and exercises that integrate all of the balance systems working together. CONTRARYTO POPULAR BELIEF - dizziness or balance impairments are common, but not a normal part of aging, and can be treated successfully in most cases. • VERTIGO: A spinning or rocking sensation • DISEQUILIBRIUM: Feeling imbalanced or unstable TYPES OF DIZZINESS Dizziness is a term that can describe a few different sensations: Once the diagnosis is made, Dr. Benda works closely with our Rehab staff to provide a comprehensive approach to treating vertigo. Abby Rasmussen, PT, specializes in vestibular rehabilitation and can address these issues with specific exercises. Vestibular treatment is common to reposition the crystals in the patient’s inner ear. • UNEXPECTED FALLS • HEARING LOSS/EAR FULLNESS • SPINNING