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...

Researchers at the University of Antwerp and the European Institute for Otorhinolaryngology have developed a virtual reality (VR) treatment that is just as effective as the current gold standard therapy for Mal de Débarquement Syndrome (MdDS), a rare and highly disabling balance disorder. MdDS patients feel as if they are constantly rocking, swaying, or bobbing—similar to being on a boat that never stops moving. The condition can last for months or years, severely disrupting daily life and often forcing patients to give up work. Until now, the therapy often used has involved a bulky optokinetic stimulation (OKS) booth, available in only a handful of clinics worldwide. Patients frequently had to travel internationally for access—ironically, travel itself can worsen MdDS symptoms. In a randomized clinical trial of 30 patients, the Antwerp team compared the OKS booth to a newly developed VR smartphone application that simulates the same visual therapy. Patients in both groups showed […]

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VEDA - Published Tue Sep 23 2025 22:32    View Full Story...

Most people think of dizziness as an adult problem, but children can also experience significant balance and vestibular (inner ear) issues. These problems are often overlooked because children don’t always have the language to explain what they’re feeling. Instead, they might fall more often, struggle to keep up in sports, or show delays in hitting motor milestones like sitting, walking, or running. The vestibular system—the part of the inner ear and brain that helps with balance—is already developed at birth but keeps maturing as a child grows. When it isn’t working correctly, the effects can be far-reaching, influencing school participation, social confidence, and physical development. Who Needs Testing? The statement recommends vestibular testing in two main groups of children: Those who complain of dizziness or vertigo. Those with imbalance or delayed motor skills, especially if they also have hearing loss. Nearly half of children with significant hearing loss may also […]

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VEDA - Published Fri Sep 19 2025 16:40    View Full Story...

If you’ve been diagnosed with unilateral vestibular hypofunction—meaning you have reduced vestibular function on one side—you’re probably wondering: “What treatments or support are out there to help me get back to feeling balanced and grounded?” Let’s walk through it together. Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is an evidence-based approach and gold standard treatment for unilateral vestibular loss. It involves a comprehensive exercise-based program targeting specific impairments and functional limitations. VRT is provided specifically by trained therapists who have certifications or extensive coursework in this area. How VRT works The goal is compensation—your brain learns to substitute visual and sensory cues for the vestibular deficit, improving balance, gaze stability, and reducing vertigo. Types of exercises Habituation: Repeated, controlled exposure to movements that provoke dizziness, helping desensitize your system. Gaze stabilization: Exercises that improve your ability to focus while moving your head. Balance and gait training: Improving stability, awareness in space, and gait on […]

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VEDA - Published Fri Sep 12 2025 17:59    View Full Story...

As a physical therapist with five years of experience, I watched helplessly as my mother’s health slowly deteriorated before my eyes. In her early 50s, she had been complaining for years of persistent “rocking sensations.” At first, it seemed benign, something easily dismissed. But over time, her complaints grew more frequent and concerning. During a visit home, I noticed she could not stand or walk without holding on to furniture for support. As a PT, I knew this was a red flag—these were the same compensations I see in patients at risk for falls.   When I asked about her balance, she looked at me and said, “It’s this rocking. It’s violent, and it’s constant. I feel like I’m being thrashed around on a boat whether I’m lying down, sitting, or walking. If I let go, I’ll fall.” To my horror, she then admitted that she had fallen, more than once, […]

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VEDA - Published Sat Sep 6 2025 00:12    View Full Story...

Introduction Around 55% of people with migraines will at some point experience symptoms related to balance, like dizziness or vertigo. Many of these individuals might not even have headaches but mainly feel off-balance. They could be suffering from a type of migraine that affects the vestibular system. To help patients with vestibular migraine, doctors need to use a combination of medication, lifestyle changes, and rehabilitation techniques. This holistic approach can offer the most effective long-term relief for patients. What is Vestibular Migraine? Migraine is the second leading cause of disability in the world. It typically presents as a throbbing headache on one side of the head. It can also cause other symptoms, such as sensitivity to light and sound, nausea/vomiting, or an aura (a warning sign that a headache is approaching). Migraines can even make people feel dizzy or have vertigo. Vestibular migraine is a type of migraine and is […]

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VEDA - Published Fri Sep 5 2025 00:54    View Full Story...

Every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall. Behind that number are real people living with dizziness, instability, and the fear of falling—challenges that can rob them of confidence, mobility, and independence. Falls are not an inevitable part of the aging process. With early detection and targeted interventions, many falls can be prevented. That’s the driving purpose of the Fight the Fall campaign, a nationwide initiative led by FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers in recognition of Balance Awareness Week (September 14–20) and National Falls Prevention Awareness Month. A Patient’s Story: Regaining Confidence After a Fall For Margaret, a retired teacher in her seventies, a sudden fall while gardening left more than just a bruised hip—it left her fearful of walking around her own home. “I stopped going to the community center and even avoided going outside unless someone was with me,” she recalls. That […]

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VEDA - Published Thu Sep 4 2025 20:45    View Full Story...

Summary Many people who experience dizziness, vertigo, or balance problems also struggle with mental health issues like anxiety and depression. This study looked at 170 people who were referred to vestibular physical therapy to find out whether those who reported having trouble with everyday physical tasks were also more likely to feel anxious or depressed. The researchers used a tool called PROMIS (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System), which helps measure how people feel physically and mentally. They collected scores for physical function, anxiety, and depression from each participant. key findings Over half of the patients reported higher-than-normal anxiety, and about 42% reported higher-than-normal depression. Those who felt they had poor physical function were: 5 times more likely to have anxiety. 3 times more likely to have depression. This connection was especially strong in patients with: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) – 10 times more likely to report anxiety if they […]

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VEDA - Published Sat Aug 16 2025 03:05    View Full Story...

The study titled “Clinical Pathways in Vestibular Care: Referral Trends Between Vestibular Rehabilitation and Objective Vestibular Testing” included a medical chart review of patients who completed both vestibular rehabilitation (VR) —a specialized type of physical therapy— and objective vestibular testing (vestibular test battery; VTB) – testing completed by an audiologist. The study included 149 adult patients who were seen in a large medical facility in the Midwest and had symptoms of dizziness, vertigo, or balance issues. The participants were divided into two different groups based on their care pathway: VR ‑first group: patients who started with physical therapy or VR. VTB ‑first: patients who started with objective testing, or a VTB. The goal of this study was to understand how patients move between VR and VTB and if (and how) early VTB changed treatment outcomes. This study was a second phase of corresponding research: “Survey of Physical Therapists’ Views on Referral […]

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VEDA - Published Wed Aug 13 2025 23:26    View Full Story...