Balance Tests Test

Balance tests are used to help find the cause of balance problems so you can get the right treatment to improve your balance and avoid falls.

Dizziness can mean different things, including vertigo (a spinning feeling), feeling like you're going to fall, or feeling lightheaded as if you might faint.

Balance disorders may be caused by conditions in your inner ear, head injuries, certain medicines, or medical conditions that affect your inner ear or brain. Other conditions like vision problems, heart disease, and arthritis can also cause problems.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of vertigo in adults. It happens when calcium grains in your inner ear slip out of place and trigger confusing signals about head movement.

Treatment depends on the type of disorder. For BPPV, a provider may use the Epley maneuver to move calcium grains. For Meniere's disease, diet and lifestyle changes or medicines may help. Balance retraining therapy can also help you cope with symptoms.