Earlier this month, VeDA Executive Director Cynthia Ryan attended the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) Breakthrough Summit in Washington, D.C., where nonprofit, research, and advocacy leaders gathered to advance the voice of patients living with rare diseases. Throughout the event, Cynthia promoted vestibular awareness—helping fellow advocates and healthcare professionals recognize how balance disorders intersect with the broader rare disease community. She also participated in sessions focused on patient registries, data sharing, and healthcare advocacy, learning how collaborative approaches can accelerate research and improve access to care for people living with rare and often misunderstood conditions. Executive Insights: Balancing Vision, Resources, and Well-Being Cynthia was honored to serve on an Executive Director Insights Panel alongside Rhonda Rowland (Wilson Disease Association) and Ryan Maple (Global Foundation for Peroxisomal Disorders). The discussion, “Balancing Vision, Resources, and Well-Being,” explored how nonprofit leaders sustain impact while supporting their teams and avoiding burnout. Drawing from […]

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VEDA - Published Sat Nov 1 2025 01:37    View Full Story...

If you’re living with dizziness, vertigo, or imbalance, you may already know that VeDA’s website is packed with trustworthy information to help you understand your symptoms, find a healthcare provider, and discover ways to cope and recover. But when brain fog or overwhelm make it hard to know where to start, we’ve got you covered. VeDA Executive Director Cynthia Ryan has created a new series of 8 short videos that walk you through the main sections of the VeDA website, step by step. Beginning with the home page, Cynthia shows you how to navigate key pages like Diagnosis & Treatment, Coping & Support, For Professionals, and more — helping you quickly find the resources that matter most to you. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or seeking a deeper understanding, these guided tours will make it easier to explore VeDA’s educational tools, patient stories, and ways to connect with our community. Watch […]

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VEDA - Published Tue Oct 28 2025 23:43    View Full Story...

Vestibular disorders can cause symptoms like dizziness, vertigo (a spinning feeling), and trouble balancing. Other symptoms might include feeling sick to your stomach (nausea), ringing in the ears (tinnitus), hearing problems, and having difficulty thinking clearly (brain fog). This article can help you talk about these symptoms with your doctor. The vestibular system, which is located in the inner ear and brain, helps us maintain balance and coordinate our eye movements. If this system gets damaged from illness, aging, or injury, it can lead to various symptoms, including:  Dizziness: Feeling lightheaded, faint, or disoriented.  Imbalance: Feeling unbalanced or like you’re about to tip over or fall.  Vertigo: A spinning sensation, making you feel like you or your surroundings are moving.  Brain Fog: Difficulty thinking, concentrating, or remembering basic things.  Tinnitus: The sense that you can hear a noise, such as ringing or buzzing, when there is no external sound. Hearing […]

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VEDA - Published Sat Oct 25 2025 00:40    View Full Story...

Summary   Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct (EVA) is a condition that affects the inner ear, leading to hearing loss and balance problems. It is the most common inner ear issue linked to hearing loss, and doctors usually find it using a CT scan. While hearing loss is common, balance issues are less frequently seen. There is no cure for EVA, but getting diagnosed early and avoiding further head injuries is important. What is EVA?   The vestibular aqueduct is a small, tube-like passage in the inner ear that connects to the brain. It’s protected by the temporal bone, which also contains two important parts of the ear: the cochlea, which helps us hear, and the vestibular labyrinth, which helps us maintain balance. Inside the vestibular aqueduct is the endolymphatic duct, a tube that carries fluid essential for hearing and balance. Although we don’t fully understand how it works, this system is crucial for […]

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VEDA - Published Sat Oct 18 2025 00:19    View Full Story...

Maybe I over-celebrated finishing a paint-by-number of a crane. However, it took a lot of energy, balance, patience, neck stability and brain power, and it took over a month to complete. So, the wobbly little dance I did after removing it from the easel, felt entirely appropriate.  It’s not easy when, unexpectedly, we have to rethink how we pass the time, but it’s important to find activities that give us a sense of accomplishment on our healing journey, and it’s nice if we can find something to do in the safety and comfort of our homes. This eliminates the stress of wandering out into the world for yet another vestibular challenge.  You don’t have to be a talented artist to find your creative side. All of us have the ability to create something. The trick is to find something that is calming and rewarding.  I remember a bit of anxiety […]

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VEDA - Published Thu Oct 16 2025 03:05    View Full Story...

Finding Solid Ground Before her stroke, Rachel Abbassi was a vibrant, driven woman who poured her heart and soul into her career as a marketing director. She thrived on the fast pace and constant challenges, always pushing herself to be better and rise higher. Work was her passion and purpose – she would arrive early, stay late, and think about work even when she was at home. Rachel was the epitome of a career-minded go-getter. Then, one seemingly ordinary day, Rachel’s world turned upside down. The Moment of Panic While taking her dog outside, she suddenly realized she couldn’t form the words she was thinking. Panic set in as she struggled to communicate with her husband. In that moment, Rachel knew something was terribly wrong. Her husband rushed her to the hospital, where tests revealed she was having an active stroke.  The next hours were a blur as Rachel underwent […]

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VEDA - Published Thu Oct 16 2025 00:56    View Full Story...

This study looked at the sleep quality of military Service members and Veterans who experience dizziness compared to those who do not experience dizziness. Why This Matters Dizziness is relatively common in the military population, often linked to mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), blast exposures, or other health issues. Poor sleep is also a significant concern among Service members and Veterans. Both dizziness and inadequate sleep can increase the risk of falls, thereby increasing the likelihood of injury. What the Researchers Did The team analyzed data from over 1,500 Service members and Veterans who were part of the NOISE study (Noise Outcomes in Service members Epidemiology). Participants completed surveys to obtain information on: demographics; previous history of injury; symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression; and sleep issues (sleep disorders and daytime sleepiness) The researchers separated participants into two groups for comparison based on: Those who reported […]

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VEDA - Published Fri Oct 10 2025 01:28    View Full Story...

Balance Awareness Week 2025: A Global Celebration of Connection and Impact Balance Awareness Week (BAW) 2025 was a tremendous success! From September 14–20, people around the world came together to raise awareness for vestibular disorders — educating their communities, supporting patients, and celebrating progress. This year’s event showed the power of collective action: hundreds of individuals, clinics, and organizations joined forces to make vestibular visible. Every photo shared, every event hosted, and every dollar raised added up to a meaningful global impact. While we can’t feature every incredible contribution, here are just a few of the highlights from this unforgettable week. Fiona Flamingo Photo Contest Winners One of the most beloved Balance Awareness Week traditions is the Fiona Flamingo Photo Contest — a fun and creative way for people to show their support while “making vestibular visible.” Participants around the world struck their best one-legged flamingo pose, joined by friends, […]

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VEDA - Published Thu Oct 9 2025 20:08    View Full Story...

A new article in Neurology Education argues that it’s time for vestibular neurology—the study and treatment of dizziness, vertigo, and balance problems—to be recognized as a core skill for all neurology trainees. Why this matters Dizziness is one of the top reasons people seek neurological care, along with headaches and seizures. Yet, unlike headaches and seizures, vestibular conditions are not consistently taught as a basic competency for neurology residents around the world. This mismatch means many patients face delayed or incorrect diagnoses. For example, strokes that present with vertigo are twice as likely to be misdiagnosed, sometimes with devastating consequences. Common vestibular conditions The majority of patients who see neurologists with dizziness are experiencing one of three conditions: Vestibular migraine (VM) – affects about 3% of the population each year Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) affects about 1.6% of people annually Orthostatic hypotension (OH) – especially common in older adults […]

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VEDA - Published Thu Oct 2 2025 02:12    View Full Story...

Dear Fiona, I was diagnosed with vestibular neuritis. My balance is off, and I feel dizzy. However, I also have sharp pains around my eye, and my jaw hurts, especially when I chew. Are those related? What might be causing this, and what can I do about it? What is Vestibular Neuritis? Vestibular neuritis or neuronitis is an inflammation of the vestibular nerve, which carries signals about balance and head motion from the inner ear to the brain. The classic symptoms include sudden, severe vertigo (a spinning sensation), nausea and vomiting, imbalance, difficulty walking, and problems with eye movements (for example, involuntary eye movements called nystagmus).  Can Vestibular Neuritis Cause Eye Pain? What Might Be Going On While the standard symptom list doesn’t usually include eye pain per se, there are several ways that vestibular neuritis or its consequences might lead to discomfort around the eyes. Some possible causes: Eye strain due […]

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VEDA - Published Fri Sep 26 2025 01:53    View Full Story...