Dizziness/Vertigo

Dizziness/Vertigo services offered in Hollywood, FL

Nearly 40% of adults in the United States experience vertigo/dizziness during their lifetime, and dizziness is often linked to problems with the inner ear. At the Ear, Nose, Throat, and Sinus Center of South Florida in Hollywood, Florida, board-certified physician Craig Shapiro, DO, finds the root cause of dizziness/vertigo to ease bothersome symptoms and provide lasting relief. Schedule an appointment by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today.

Dizziness/Vertigo Q & A

What is dizziness/vertigo?

Dizziness/vertigo is a condition characterized by feeling faint, dizzy, or lightheaded. Vertigo can cause severe dizziness and sometimes other symptoms. It often involves problems with the inside of the ear, many of which can be easily resolved with holistic care.

See Dr. Shapiro at the first sign of dizziness/vertigo to get the treatment you deserve and begin feeling better.

What are the symptoms of dizziness/vertigo?

Dizziness/vertigo symptoms can include:

Faintness
Feeling like the room is spinning
Nausea
Vomiting
Being off-balance
Hearing loss
Headaches
Ringing in the ears
Motion sickness
Side-to-side rapid eye movement
Feeling of fullness in your ear

Vertigo can appear without warning, feel alarming, and interfere with your quality of life when left untreated. Fortunately, Dr. Shapiro offers numerous highly effective solutions.

What can increase the risk of dizziness/vertigo?

Possible causes of dizziness and/or vertigo may include:

Problem with the inner ear
Excessive exercise
Dehydration
Migraine headaches
Some medications
Diabetes
Stroke
Arrhythmia
Prolonged bed rest
Head injuries
Ear surgeries
Shingles near the ear
Hyperventilation
Shingles in the ear
Low blood pressure
Muscle weakness
Syphilis
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Brain diseases
Acoustic neuromas
Bone growths affecting the middle ear
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)

BPPV is an inner ear disorder that can cause vertigo as your head changes position and calcium carbonate crystals move around in your inner ear. It can make it seem like the room is spinning and is most common among people 50 and older.

Left untreated, dizziness/vertigo can decrease your quality of life and increase your risk of falls, bone fractures, and similar injuries. It might make going to school or work and driving difficult, even dangerous.

How is dizziness/vertigo diagnosed?

To diagnose dizziness/vertigo, Dr. Shapiro reviews your lifestyle, medical history, symptoms, and medications. He completes a physical exam, looks inside your ears, and offers diagnostic tests. Examples include balance testing, inner ear tests, and imaging procedures like a CT scan or an MRI.

How is dizziness/vertigo treated?

Your individualized dizziness/vertigo treatment plan depends on the underlying cause and may include:

Lifestyle changes
Rehabilitation therapy
Repositioning maneuvers
Medication
Surgery

BPPV might go away on its own over time, as inner ear fluid breaks down the crystals causing the condition, but repositioning procedures with Dr. Shapiro can ease your symptoms much sooner.

Dr. Shapiro takes a holistic approach to care, but offers medical procedures when necessary to provide long-term relief. He follows up over time to help keep symptoms at bay.

Schedule a dizziness/vertigo evaluation at the Ear, Nose, Throat, and Sinus Center of South Florida by calling the office or requesting a visit online today.