Vertigo Cures

Truths about vertigo & balance disorders.

23 things you might not know about vertigo, dizziness and balance disorders

· In 1994, 11 million physician visits for dizziness were recorded.

· In 1988, Dysequilibrium was the second most common diagnosis for a Medicare hospital admission, with an average stay of 4.3 days.

· 50% of patients complaining of dizziness in a primary care setting do not get a diagnosis.

· 70% of patients complaining of dizziness in a primary care setting get a prescription for Meclizine.

· Meclizine is known to hinder the natural vestibular compensation process.

· Most medication geared towards treating the symptoms of dizziness and dysequilibrium (vestibular suppressant, anti-emetics, anti-cholinergics, sedatives, and tranquilizers) hinder the natural vestibular compensation process.

· Meclizine has the slowing effect on reaction time equal to a blood alcohol level of .04 to .06.

· Reduced reaction time is a leading cause of falls in the elderly.

· Vestibular abnormalities are found in 50 percent of fallers.

· Falls lead to over 200,000 hip fractures per year in the U.S.

· Nearly 50% of elderly patients admitted for hip fractures become chronic patients.

· Nearly 50% of elderly patients admitted for hip fractures die within one year.

· MRI exams have a very low yield for patients undergoing examinations for dizziness.

· Vestibular evaluations including auditory evoked potentials and electronystagmography are over 90% sensitive for auditory nerve, brainstem or cerebellar pathology causing dizziness.

· Vestibular evaluation generally costs about one half of a MRI with contrast.

· All that is dizzy is not vestibular. Visual and Somatosensory input, as well as efficient brainstem integration also contributes to normal balance function.

· Approximately 1000 medications in the PDR list dizziness, vertigo, or light-headedness as a possible side effect.

· Vestibular disorders are responsible in 85% of patients complaining of dizziness.

· Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause: of episodic vertigo.

· BPPV is treated successfully in one or two office sessions over 90% of the time.

· In patients with chronic balance problems, only vestibular rehabilitation has shown to improve balance function and performance when compared to medical therapy or general exercises.

· Therapy directed towards a specific diagnosis resulted in resolution of symptoms in 85% of patients, while general vestibular rehabilitation exercises resulted in complete resolution in only 64%.

· There is a high correlation between ‘”panic disorders” and abnormal vestibular function.

References

Micromedical Technologies, 10 Kemp Drive, Chatham, IL 62629, in the booklet entitled “Dizziness and Balance Disorders”, “Evaluation and Treatment”: “A Short Course for Primary Care Physicians”, second edition”, May 2001.

More information is available on our website listed below.

Dr. Scopelliti has over 1000 hours in postdoctoral neurology, and is a board certified chiropractic neurologist, practicing at the 279 Professional Arts Bldg at the rear of Monmouth Medical Center, in Long Branch, NJ. He is also currently the president of the NJ Chiropractic Council on Neurology, (website: http://dcneuro.info) With over twenty years of practice, ten of those years specializing in neurology, his office focuses on the drug free management of patients with vertigo, dizziness, balance loss, presyncope, dystonia, various stages of coma, and many other neurologic as well as behavioral and cognitive disorders. Dr. Scopelliti is a lecturer of postdoctoral neurology, and has also written several software applications for vestibular rehabilitation; http://www.dcneuro.biz Because of the nature of our practice and the high level of difficulty involved with the types of patients seen, our office customarily sees patients from several states for consultation and/or co-management. Dr. Scopelliti offers a free no obligation consultation including a balance test/risk of fall analysis prior to the commencement of any examinations or treatment. The office can be reached at (732) 229-5250 to arrange a free consultation, ($75 value), and balance screen. Dr. Scopelliti has a wealth of information updated weekly on the web (listed above). Go to the Guest Book link at the top of the home page to see what real patients have had to say.