Dizziness & Balance
Dizziness and Balance Disorder Evaluation
Dizziness is a broad word. Vertigo, lightheadedness, imbalance and unsteady walking have different causes and different treatments, and describing the sensation precisely is the most useful part of the evaluation. Falls in particular deserve assessment, because the contributing factors are often correctable.
Symptoms and patterns
- Spinning sensation triggered by head or position change
- Lightheadedness on standing
- Constant unsteadiness while walking
- Veering to one side or needing to touch walls
- Falls, near-falls or fear of falling
- Associated hearing change, numbness, weakness or double vision
Causes that are considered
- Inner ear disorders, including benign positional vertigo and vestibular neuritis
- Blood pressure and medication effects
- Peripheral neuropathy with loss of position sense
- Cervical spine and orthopedic contributors
- Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders
- Cerebellar disorders and prior stroke
- Vision problems and deconditioning
Evaluation
- Neurological and gait examination
- Positional and vestibular testing where indicated
- Orthostatic blood pressure measurement and medication review
- Laboratory studies
- Imaging when central causes are suspected
- EMG or nerve testing when neuropathy is suspected
Strength, balance training and fall prevention
Once the cause is identified, function is addressed directly. Progressive lower-body and trunk strength training, specific balance training, and vestibular rehabilitation when appropriate are the interventions with the best support for reducing falls.
Practical steps matter just as much: reviewing medications that cause lightheadedness or sedation, correcting vision, treating foot problems, choosing supportive footwear, improving home lighting, and removing tripping hazards. Assistive devices are recommended when they increase safe activity rather than reduce it.
Dizziness that requires emergency care
Frequently asked questions
- What causes balance problems?
- Common contributors include inner ear disorders, blood pressure or medication effects, peripheral neuropathy, joint and muscle weakness, vision problems, and neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease or prior stroke. More than one is often present.
- Can balance be improved?
- Frequently, yes. Targeted balance training, strength work and correcting contributing factors improve stability for many patients, even when the underlying condition is chronic.
Care across Northwestern Illinois & Southern Wisconsin
Patients travel from McHenry County, the northwest Chicago suburbs, the Fox Valley and southern Wisconsin for this care. In-person visits take place in Crystal Lake and Woodstock, Illinois and Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Telehealth is available to patients located anywhere in Illinois or Wisconsin when clinically appropriate.
Schedule a Neurology Appointment
Choose the scheduling line for the state where you will be located for your appointment.
In-Person Neurology Visits
Available at three office locations:
Crystal Lake, Illinois
Woodstock, Illinois
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Telehealth Neurology Visits
Telehealth neurology appointments are available to patients located anywhere in Illinois or Wisconsin. You do not need to live near an office, but you must be physically located in Illinois or Wisconsin at the time of the appointment.
Learn about telehealth neurology →Call to schedule
Illinois appointments: 815-337-7100. Wisconsin appointments: 262-245-0535.
Choose your visit
Our office will confirm whether an in-person or telehealth visit is appropriate and provide the details.
Insurance and referrals
Insurance participation and referral requirements vary by plan. Our office will confirm what your plan requires before your visit.
If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek emergency medical attention.