Understanding the Neurological Causes of Dizziness

Are you experiencing dizziness or struggling with your balance? If so, you're not alone. Many people have ongoing symptoms related to dizziness, such as feeling unsteady, the room spinning, or vision issues. These could point to an underlying balance issue and can take away from your quality of life. 

If you have persistent or severe dizziness, it’s important to seek the expertise of a neurologist for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Trying to self-diagnose or manage complex neurological issues at home can lead to delayed relief and potential complications.   

At Modern Migraine MD, our board-certified neurologist Risa Ravitz, MD, and the team help patients in Manhattan, NYC, Toms River, New Jersey, Aventura, Florida, and virtually in 13 states address any underlying conditions and help you find ongoing relief. 

Dr. Ravitz’s specialized knowledge, combined with her commitment to a patient-centric, integrative approach, means you receive personalized care for lasting relief and a better quality of life. 

Dizziness and balance

Maintaining your balance is a remarkable thing, using multiple interconnected systems within your body. Your joints, eyes, inner ears, nerves, heart, vascular system, muscles, and bones all work together seamlessly. 

However, when one of these systems experiences a disruption, balance problems or disorders can emerge. These disorders can bring a host of symptoms, such as:

• Vertigo
• Lightheadedness
• Unsteadiness
• Vision changes
• Confusion
• Nausea or vomiting

They can also make you feel like you’re not in control of where in space your body is positioned or like you’re walking on a boat or a moving surface. 

Neurological causes of dizziness

Getting to the bottom of your chronic dizziness means uncovering the underlying cause of your balance trouble. Here’s a look at some of the neurological reasons you might experience ongoing dizziness:

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)

Among the different causes of balance disorders, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common. BPPV develops when calcium crystals in your inner ear become dislodged, triggering imbalance. Targeted treatments can ease the distressing symptoms the condition causes.

Vestibular neuritis

Inflammation can wreak havoc on the delicate nerves responsible for balance, leading to a condition called vestibular neuritis. This inflammatory disorder disrupts the normal functioning of your inner ear, causing temporary balance issues.

Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD)

Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) develops when events activate your brain's perception of motion and space. This triggers a cascade of disorienting symptoms and specific challenges, such as causing people who have the condition to experience sensations of floating or rocking. PPPD usually gets worse in visually complex environments or when standing. 

Other possible causes of dizziness

Balance disorders can stem from many other sources, including benign conditions like pregnancy. Anything that affects one of the systems involved in maintaining balance can all play a role in persistent dizziness, including health issues like:

• Vestibular migraine 
• Ménière’s disease
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Tumors 
• Inner ear issues
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis

Other underlying health conditions can also trigger these symptoms, including dementia, heart disease, vascular disease, and more. Seeking specialized care from a neurologist like Dr. Ravitz is the key to accurately identifying the underlying cause and receiving appropriate treatment for your dizziness.

Restoring your equilibrium

Dr. Ravitz uses a variety of tools to evaluate your neurological condition, carefully considering your symptoms, medical history, physical and mental health, lifestyle factors, and daily activities. She might order additional tests, including imaging studies and blood work, to provide further insights into your dizziness. 

With the information from your comprehensive evaluation, Dr. Ravitz tailors personalized dizziness treatment recommendations or makes appropriate referrals to make sure you get optimal care for your condition.

Don’t let dizziness stop you from enjoying a stable life. Take the first steps toward restoring your balance by scheduling an in-person or virtual appointment with Dr. Ravitz at Modern Migraine MD.