Vestibular disorders include several conditions that affect your sense of balance. Most affect the vestibular organs within your inner ear, but problems with your central nervous system can cause balance issues, too. Common symptoms include dizziness and vertigo. Treatments include medications and vestibular rehabilitation therapy.
Vestibular disorders involve problems with your vestibular system. This body system includes structures in your inner ear and brain that help you maintain your sense of balance.
A problem with the vestibular structures within your inner ear or the parts of your central nervous system (CNS) that process this information can lead to balance problems (vestibular dysfunction). Typically, vestibular issues cause symptoms like dizziness and vertigo.
Experts classify vestibular disorders based on where the breakdown is within your vestibular system:
The most common vestibular disorders are:
Other vestibular conditions include:
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The most common symptoms of a vestibular issue are:
Other symptoms depend on the specific condition or balance issues you’re having. They include:
Causes of vestibular dysfunction include:
Some vestibular disorders involve episodes where you experience symptoms like dizziness and vertigo, followed by periods where you don’t experience symptoms at all. In these instances, “triggers” may start or worsen an episode. Triggers may include:
Your healthcare provider can help you identify factors that trigger or intensify symptoms.
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Vestibular dysfunction doesn’t just impact your balance. Untreated vestibular conditions can lead to other things, too, like:
It’s important to get checked and treated so you don’t increase your risk of additional health issues.
Your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and a neurological exam to diagnose your condition. They’ll also ask about your symptoms. Understanding your symptoms is key to determining whether the problem is in your inner ear or CNS.
Healthcare providers that diagnose and treat vestibular disorders include:
Tests may include:
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Your treatment depends on the specific condition. Vestibular disorder treatments may include:
It depends on the cause of the vestibular disorder, but typically, vestibular disorders aren’t preventable.
But there are things you can do to care for yourself. For example, you can get treated as early as possible to prevent long-term damage from causes like infections. If you’re living with a chronic (long-lasting) condition, you can take steps to reduce your risk of falls.
Your situation depends on the specific vestibular disorder. In some cases, vestibular issues go away. For example, vestibular problems related to infections usually improve once the virus or bacteria are gone. Still, it’s important to get treated as soon as possible to prevent long-term inner ear damage.
Other vestibular disorders require lifelong management. Symptoms may come and go unpredictably or in response to triggers that you learn to identify. If this sounds like you, you’ll work with a healthcare provider (or care team) to manage your condition.
Often, it takes a combination of lifestyle adjustments, medications and vestibular rehabilitation to treat or manage a vestibular disorder. But most people find a treatment plan that works for them. In the meantime, you can care for yourself by:
Questions to ask include:
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Most of us don’t notice how important maintaining a sense of balance is to our everyday lives until a problem arises — and suddenly it feels as if the room is spinning. Sometimes, the feeling is fleeting. But if you have a vestibular disorder, it’s important to see a healthcare provider to get treated before an episode of vertigo becomes something more dangerous, like a fall. Your healthcare provider will help you find the right combination of treatments to fix your balance issue or help you manage symptoms.
Last reviewed on 06/19/2024.
Learn more about the Health Library and our editorial process.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy