Did you know that nearly 4.8 million people were seriously hurt in an auto collision in 2020? Car accidents are no joke and the aftermath could be devastating. So, if you’ve been in a car crash, there’s a good chance that you may experience vestibular dysfunction. Fortunately, most cases of vestibular dysfunction are temporary and improve over time.
However, if you experience any lasting symptoms, it’s important to speak with a car accident lawyer. They can help you get compensation for your injuries and pain and suffering. With that said, take a look below to learn more about recognizing the signs of vestibular dysfunction.
What Is Vestibular Dysfunction?
To better understand the signs of vestibular dysfunction, it helps to know what it is. The vestibular system—located in the inner ear—consists of the vestibular nerve and a series of fluid-filled canals. These canals help us to maintain our balance and coordinate our eye movements.
Vestibular dysfunction occurs when there is a problem with one or more of these components. There are several vestibular dysfunction symptoms to recognize, which include:
Dizziness
Dizziness is one of the most common signs of vestibular dysfunction. They describe it as a feeling of lightheadedness, unsteadiness, or wooziness. You may feel like you’re spinning, tilting, or that the room is moving.
The changes in your head position triggers dizziness, such as when you turn over in bed or stand up from a chair. Vestibular dysfunction can also cause nausea and vomiting.
Feeling Imbalanced
Vestibular dysfunction can make you feel unsteady on your feet. You may have difficulty walking or standing up. You may also feel like you’re swaying, tilting, or that the ground is moving.
Problems with Coordination
Vestibular dysfunction can affect your coordination. You may have trouble walking. That’s because vestibular dysfunction causes problems with your sense of depth perception. You may have difficulty reading or writing.
Ringing in the Ears (Tinnitus)
Vestibular dysfunction can cause a ringing or roaring sound in your ears (tinnitus). Not only that, but you might experience muffled hearing.
Changes in Vision
Vestibular dysfunction can cause problems with your vision. You might see flashes of light or floaters. Chances are, your eyes will feel dry and irritated, and you may have trouble focusing your eyes as well.
Disorientation
Vestibular dysfunction can cause a sense of disorientation or confusion. Due to disorientation, you could feel like you’re in a dream or that you’re not really in control of your body.
Fatigue
Vestibular dysfunction can cause fatigue. This is because vestibular problems can make it difficult to focus and pay attention. You may also have trouble sleeping.
The Types of Vestibular Disorder
There are two types of vestibular disorder: peripheral vestibular disorder and central vestibular disorder. Peripheral vestibular disorder is caused by a problem with the vestibular nerve or the inner ear. This type of vestibular disorder is more common in older adults.
Central vestibular disorder is caused by a problem in the central nervous system. It’s prominent in young adults.
However, the most common vestibular disorder is vestibular neuritis. It’s caused by an inflammation of the vestibular nerve.
Causes of Vestibular Disorder
There are numerous causes of vestibular disorder. Here are a few of them:
Infection
Vestibular disorders can be caused by infections, such as vestibular neuritis. Other infections that can cause vestibular disorders include meningitis, vestibular toxoplasmosis, and vestibular migraines.
Autoimmune Disorders
Autoimmune disorders can trigger vestibular disorders, such as vestibular paroxysmia and vestibular migraine. These conditions occur when the body’s immune system attacks healthy cells.
Trauma
Head injuries, such as concussions, can lead to vestibular disorders. The vestibular disorder can also be caused by whiplash, which is a neck injury. Vestibular Disorder often develops as a result of a crash and whiplash is a common injury that occurs during car accidents.
Tumors
Tumors, such as vestibular schwannomas and vestibular paragangliomas, can lead to vestibular disorders. Since tumors can compress the vestibular nerve, they may trigger vestibular neuritis.
Vestibular Dysfunction Treatment
Treatment for vestibular disorder depends on the underlying cause. For vestibular neuritis, treatment typically includes rehabilitation and medications to relieve symptoms. For a vestibular migraine, vestibular rehabilitation and medications are provided to prevent the migraines.
If an autoimmune disorder triggers the vestibular disorder. Then they give medications and vestibular rehabilitation to suppress the immune system. On the other hand, if a tumor caused the vestibular disorder, treatment usually involves rehab and surgery to remove the tumor.
As for treatment methods, vestibular rehabilitation is a type of physical therapy that helps to retrain the vestibular system. The exercises can help to improve balance and reduce dizziness.
Medications used to treat vestibular disorder include vestibular suppressants and vestibular sedatives. The vestibular suppressants reduce symptoms, and the vestibular sedatives calm the vestibular system.
Also, surgery is an option for vestibular disorders caused by tumors that are treatable with rehab or medications. Surgery helps to improve vestibular symptoms by removing the underlying cause.
If you think you may have vestibular dysfunction, it’s important to see a doctor. This condition is debilitating, but it’s treatable. With the proper medical care, you can improve your vestibular symptoms and live a normal life.
Overcoming Vestibular Dysfunction
Now that you can recognize vestibular dysfunction, you can build a strong car accident case. At RHINO Lawyers, we’re here to back you up. Our team of experienced lawyers will fight to get you the compensation that you deserve. You shouldn’t have to deal will the aftermath of your auto accident alone.
To contact us, please call 844.RHINO.77 or schedule a free virtual consultation with us. We look forward to representing you soon!
CONTACT A TAMPA AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
In short, after a car accident, you may not know your rights. Above all, don’t struggle through the process alone. Actually, our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.RHINO.77.
