Significance of Physiotherapy Management in Vestibular Disorders

Abstract

Vestibular system is important in the detection of head position in space as well as with reference to gravity hence ensuring gaze stabilization, posture control, upright stability, spatial orientation and navigation. The inner ear sends sensory information to the central nervous system via the inner ear and is combined with the visual and somatosensory information. The imbalance of this process causes the appearance of the conflicting sensory signals that cause the emergence of the following symptoms dizziness, vertigo, nausea, headache, postural instability, and deterioration in functional performance. Chronic vestibular impairment may greatly limit everyday functionality, lead to fatigue, as well as adversely impact the quality of life.¹ Among the elderly Vestibular dizziness and imbalance are frequent but poorly characterized clinical manifestations. The current epidemiology shows that vestibular dysfunction occurs in almost one-third of all patients above 60 years of age and the prevalence rates are higher than 50.^{2, 3} where the etiology of the condition is multifactorial and may involve peripheral or central vestibular pathology, neuromuscular impairment, cardiovascular, medication-induced dizziness, or psychosocial causes. In spite of these complications, it is still vital to establish which system is predominant to provide proper management and prevent the needless investigations or a long period of using pharmacological therapy.