Balance Problems Flashcards
What are the three sensory inputs of the balance system?
Where is this processed?
What is the job of the efferent pathways?
Vestibular, visual, and somatosensory. Disturbances to one or more of these systems may result in a balance system disorder.
These sensory inputs are processed by the brain (involving the brainstem, cerebellum and cerebrum). The efferent pathways then act on the extra-ocular muscles to adjust eye position and the limb and trunk
muscles to maintain body position.
What is the definition of vertigo?
How is it different from other types of dizziness?
Sensation of feeling off balance. The main symptom of vertigo is feeling like you or everything around you is spinning.
Dizziness is an altered sense of spatial orientation, a distortion of where we are within a space and like your balance just feels off. Vertigo, on the other hand, is truly the sensation of self-movement or the movement of your surroundings – it’s a spinning sensation.
Pre-syncope vs syncope?
Presyncope is the sensation that you’re going to faint. You might feel lightheaded and weak, among other symptoms, but you don’t actually pass out. If you do faint and regain consciousness, that’s called syncope.
Define nystagmus
What is meant by the slow phase and fast phase of jerk nystagmus?
Nystagmus is a vision condition in which the eyes make repetitive, uncontrolled movements. These movements often result in reduced vision and depth perception and can affect balance and coordination.
Jerk nystagmus is a rhythmic eye oscillation characterized by a slow drift of the eyes in one direction that is repeatedly corrected by fast movements in the reverse direction. Jerk nystagmus comprises of two parts: a slow phase which causes the eyes to drift in a certain direction and a fast phase which bring the eyes back to primary position. It is convention to refer to nystagmus by describing the direction of the fast phase.
What clinical features point towards an issue with balance?
Vertigo Hearing loss Nystagmus Loss of consciousness or blackouts Postural hypotension Reduced peripheral sensation Positive Romberg Test Ataxia Dysdiadokokinesia
