You At Your Best

SPONSOR CONTENT WWW.WREGIONAL.COM Many people experience feelings of dizziness that can impact daily activities and put them at risk of injuries or falls. Washington Regional Balance Disorders Clinic provides evaluation, diagnosis, management and treatment of disorders related to balance with advanced testing and a variety of treatment options. It's time to contact your primary care provider if you experience: • Dizziness • Vertigo • Blurred vision when moving your head • Lightheadedness • Imbalance or sudden falls Your primary care provider can then refer you to the Washington Regional Balance Disorders Clinic for an evaluation. For more information visit wregional.com/balancedisordersclinic or call 479-404-3255. Sense OF BALANCE We're familiar with the five senses: taste, touch, sight, sound and smell. But we often take for granted our sense of balance. Nearly 40% of Americans will experience dizziness or imbalance at some point in their lives. And while balance disorders affect people of all ages, older adults are at higher risk. Balance disorders are a significant contributing factor in falling injuries for adults over the age of 65. Determining the cause of unsteadiness under your feet may begin by looking at your inner ear. "While there are a lot of different things that can cause imbalance or dizziness, 85% of cases originate with disturbances in the inner ear," says Elissa Berry, AuD, a vestibular audiologist at Washington Regional Balance Disorders Clinic. "The vestibular system consists of sensory organs in the inner ear that relay information to the brain about head and body orientation," she says. Canals that loop around inside your inner ear contain fluid and hair-like sensors that help maintain your sense of balance. When these tiny sensors move, they let your brain know which direction your head is moving. Balance disorders can be divided into two main categories, Dr. Berry says. The first category includes symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo or motion intolerance – symptoms that may be noticed with quick head or body movements, riding in the car or lying down in bed. "These symptoms may be acute attacks lasting just a few seconds or they may last for several hours," she says. The second category of balance disorders includes a persistent sense of imbalance or unsteadiness. An evaluation at the Balance Disorders Clinic takes approximately one and a half hours and includes a battery of diagnostic testing which can identify whether the patient's symptoms are coming from the inner ear or somewhere else. Whether the patient returns to the clinic for treatment or is referred on to another provider, the evaluation will determine the appropriate plan of care for each individual patient. Because balance disorders can greatly impact daily activities, Dr. Berry suggests contacting your primary care provider if you are experiencing: • Dizziness • Vertigo • Blurred vision with head movement • Lightheadedness • Imbalance or sudden falls "Your primary care provider can then refer you to the Washington Regional Balance Disorders Clinic," she says. To learn more, visit www.wregional.com/balancedisordersclinic. Life in balance SUNDAY, AUGUST 29, 2021 | SEPTEMBER - THE 5 SENSES YOUATYOURBEST.NWAONLINE.COM | YOU AT YOUR BEST | 9

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