FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
1. To give information
about the balance system and what can go wrong with it.
2. To offer advice on what to do
if you develop a balance problem.
3. To offer links to other informative,
relevant websites.
Listed below are links to the most common questions
we are asked.
I HAVE RECENTLY BECOME DIZZY
AND/OR UNSTEADY, WHAT SHOULD I DO?
WHAT HAPPENS
IF I HAVE TO GO TO HOSPITAL TO FIND OUT ABOUT MY BALANCE PROBLEM?
IF I HAVE A BALANCE PROBLEM
CAUSED BY THE INNER EAR, IS IT SAFE FOR ME TO FLY?
IF I AM FEELING RATHER DEAF,
HOW DO I KNOW IF IT IS CAUSED BY EAR WAX OR ANOTHER PROBLEM?
I WAS TOLD
THAT I COULD NOT HAVE MY BALANCE TESTS TODAY BECAUSE OF EAR WAX.
WHY IS THAT?
I HAVE RECENTLY BECOME DIZZY
AND/OR UNSTEADY, WHAT SHOULD I DO?
The first priority is to get the right diagnosis.
The balance system is complex and there are many potential causes
of a balance problem or dizziness. In fact, dizziness is one of
the commonest things that a GP has to deal with. Your GP will do
his or her best on the basis of your description of your symptoms
and knowledge of your health history to choose the right course
of action for you. This might include waiting to get an idea of
how the pattern of symptoms develops, trying medication or referring
to a specialist at your local hospital.
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WHAT HAPPENS IF I HAVE
TO GO TO HOSPITAL TO FIND OUT ABOUT MY BALANCE PROBLEM?
You will see a specialist who will need to take a careful
history of your symptoms. This is sometimes enough on its own to
give the specialist enough information to make a diagnosis and recommend
treatment. However, further assessments might include:
· A hearing test
(audiogram)
·
Tests of your balance or sway
·
Tests to record your eye movement under different conditions
It is very difficult to record from the balance
part of the inner ear directly. However, the eyes and ears are linked
by a reflex and hence eye movement can be used to investigate inner
ear balance function.
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IF I HAVE A BALANCE PROBLEM
CAUSED BY THE INNER EAR, IS IT SAFE FOR ME TO FLY?
Your GP or specialist will be able to advise
you.
Visit www.tchain.com/otoneurology
for a diagram of the ear, and much more detailed information.
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IF I AM FEELING RATHER DEAF,
HOW DO I KNOW IF IT IS CAUSED BY EAR WAX OR ANOTHER PROBLEM?
You cannot tell on your own as it is impossible
to see into your own ear but your GP or practice nurse will have
the right equipment to do this.
If you go to the weblink www.tchain.com/otoneurology
you will see further information and miscellanea related to dizziness,
imbalance, tinnitus, and hearing.
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I WAS TOLD THAT I COULD
NOT HAVE MY BALANCE TESTS TODAY BECAUSE OF EAR WAX. WHY IS THAT?
One of the balance tests involves puffing air or water into
the outer ear. It is important that there is no wax in the way as
the result of the test can be affected.
You may need to visit the diagram of the ear in
the website www.tchain.com/otoneurology
to remind yourself of the structure of the ear.
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