Vestibulopathy
Vestibulopathy
Vestibulopathy (pronounced: ves-ti-bu-lo-pa-thy) is a medical term referring to a disorder or disease affecting the vestibular system in the inner ear, which is responsible for maintaining balance and spatial orientation.
Etymology
The term "Vestibulopathy" is derived from the Latin word "vestibulum" which means entrance, and the Greek word "pathos" which means suffering. Thus, it refers to a condition of suffering or disorder in the vestibular system.
Definition
Vestibulopathy is a condition characterized by dizziness, imbalance, and spatial disorientation. These symptoms are caused by damage or dysfunction in the vestibular system, which includes the inner ear and the brain areas that process the information related to balance and spatial orientation.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of vestibulopathy include vertigo, imbalance, spatial disorientation, and difficulty focusing vision while moving. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and a sensation of spinning or falling.
Causes
Vestibulopathy can be caused by a variety of conditions, including Meniere's disease, vestibular neuritis, labyrinthitis, and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). It can also be caused by damage to the inner ear due to aging, medications, or trauma.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of vestibulopathy typically involves a thorough medical history and physical examination, including tests of balance and eye movements. Additional tests may include audiometry to assess hearing and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) to assess the function of the vestibular system.
Treatment
Treatment for vestibulopathy depends on the underlying cause and may include medications, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is a type of physical therapy that is often used to treat vestibulopathy.
Related Terms
- Vestibular system
- Vertigo
- Meniere's disease
- Vestibular neuritis
- Labyrinthitis
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
- Audiometry
- Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP)
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Vestibulopathy
- Wikipedia's article - Vestibulopathy
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