Living with a balance disorder can feel understandably discouraging and even hopeless at times. However, if you’re dealing with a balance disorder, your dizziness or vertigo may be rooted in treatable inner ear or sinus issues — something a skilled ENT can help identify and manage.

As a leading ENT physician in Houston, Dr. Michael Kaplan offers comprehensive evaluation of vestibular conditions, utilizing advanced diagnostic techniques to pinpoint the exact source of your symptoms. His expertise extends to treating conditions such as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), vestibular neuritis, labyrinthitis, and balance problems stemming from chronic sinusitis or other ear-related disorders. Dr. Kaplan’s personalized treatment plans are designed to address not just the symptoms but the root causes of your balance difficulties.

With proper diagnosis and expert care from Houston’s trusted ENT specialists at Kaplan Sinus Relief, you can take the first step toward regaining your balance and returning to the activities you love. Schedule a consultation to learn more about our treatment options today!

What neurological disorders cause balance problems?

Balance disorders can significantly impact quality of life, making everyday activities challenging and potentially dangerous. While many balance issues stem from inner ear problems, numerous neurological conditions can also disrupt the complex systems that help us maintain equilibrium, including:

• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Stroke
• Vestibular neuritis
• Cerebellar ataxia
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Brain tumors
• Traumatic brain injury
• Cervical spondylosis
• Migraine-associated vertigo

If you’re experiencing persistent balance problems, seeking a proper diagnosis is necessary. At Kaplan Sinus Relief, Dr. Michael Kaplan can help determine whether your symptoms stem from ear-related issues or may indicate an underlying neurological condition requiring referral to a neurologist.

What ENT conditions affect balance?

The vestibular system in your inner ear helps you keep your balance by sensing head movements and position and sending this information to your brain. When you experience dizziness or unsteadiness, if not due to a neurological disorder, the root cause often lies in the domain of ear, nose, and throat disorders such as:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): Most common cause of vertigo, involving displaced crystals in the inner ear
• Ménière’s disease: Inner ear disorder causing episodes of vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss, and tinnitus
• Labyrinthitis: Inflammation of the inner ear labyrinth often caused by viral infections
• Vestibular neuronitis: Inflammation of the vestibular nerve from viral infections
• Ear infections: Particularly middle ear infections (otitis media) can disrupt balance by affecting pressure and fluid levels
• Acoustic neuroma: Benign tumor on the vestibular nerve affecting balance and hearing
• Superior canal dehiscence: Thinning or opening in the bone covering the inner ear’s superior semicircular canal
• Perilymphatic fistula: Abnormal connection between middle and inner ear allowing fluid leakage
• Eustachian tube dysfunction: Prevents proper equalization of middle ear pressure, affecting balance
• Cholesteatoma: Abnormal skin growth in the middle ear that can erode balance-related structures

Fortunately, many of these conditions respond well to proper treatment, from repositioning maneuvers for BPPV to medication for Ménière’s disease or surgical intervention for structural abnormalities. If you’re experiencing unexplained dizziness or balance problems, scheduling a consultation with Kaplan Sinus Relief is your first step toward regaining stability and confidence in your daily movements.

When should you be worried about balance problems?

While occasional dizziness or slight unsteadiness might occur from everyday causes like dehydration or fatigue, persistent or severe balance problems warrant medical attention. Be concerned about balance problems if you experience:

• Severe vertigo or spinning sensation that significantly impacts daily activities
• Balance issues accompanied by hearing loss, ear fullness, or tinnitus
• Dizziness with neurological symptoms like slurred speech, confusion, or weakness
• Balance problems that develop suddenly and severely
• Recurrent falls or near-falls, especially without an obvious cause
• Balance difficulties that progressively worsen over time
• Dizziness accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath, or irregular heartbeat
• Balance issues following a head injury
• Persistent imbalance that doesn’t improve with rest
• Vertigo accompanied by a severe headache, especially if it’s a new or unusual type

Don’t ignore persistent or severe balance problems — they often signal underlying conditions requiring treatment. Prompt medical evaluation can identify the cause, whether from inner ear disorders, neurological issues, or other medical factors, and lead to effective treatment that prevents complications like falls and injuries.

What is the best treatment for balance problems?

At Kaplan Sinus Relief, Dr. Kaplan uses a comprehensive approach to diagnose and treat balance issues by identifying their root cause — whether from the inner ear, sinuses, or eustachian tubes — and offers personalized, effective care through both advanced and traditional treatments.

Balance therapy

Balance therapy, also called vestibular rehabilitation therapy, is a specialized form of physical therapy designed to retrain the brain to properly interpret and respond to signals from the balance system. This therapy uses customized exercises that gradually challenge your balance system to compensate for weaknesses.

A trained therapist will develop a program that might include gaze stabilization exercises, balance retraining activities, and habituation exercises to reduce sensitivity to movements that trigger symptoms. Research shows that consistent balance therapy can significantly improve stability, reduce fall risk, and help patients regain confidence in their movements, particularly for those with chronic vestibular disorders.

Medication for balance problems

Pharmaceutical interventions can be effective in managing symptoms associated with certain balance disorders. Medications may include vestibular suppressants to reduce the sensation of vertigo, anti-nausea medications to control associated symptoms, diuretics to reduce fluid retention (particularly for Ménière’s disease), or anti-migraine medications for vestibular migraines. 

While medication for balance problems can provide relief from acute symptoms, they are often used as a short-term solution rather than a permanent fix. Long-term use of vestibular suppressants can sometimes hinder the brain’s natural compensation process, so they are typically prescribed cautiously and for limited periods.

Balloon sinuplasty

For patients whose balance issues stem from chronic sinusitis affecting the inner ear, balloon sinuplasty offers a minimally invasive solution. This innovative procedure uses a small, flexible balloon catheter to open blocked sinus passages, allowing for proper drainage and ventilation. The balloon gently dilates the sinus opening without removing bone or tissue, preserving the natural sinus lining.

By restoring normal sinus function, balloon sinuplasty can relieve the pressure that sometimes affects the inner ear’s balance mechanisms. This procedure typically has minimal recovery time, with many patients experiencing immediate improvement in sinus symptoms and associated balance problems.

Eustachian tube balloon dilation

When balance disorders result from eustachian tube dysfunction, eustachian tube balloon dilation may provide significant relief. This procedure involves inserting a small balloon into the eustachian tube through the nose, then inflating it to expand the pathway. This gentle dilation helps restore proper pressure equalization between the middle ear and throat, addressing a common cause of vertigo and balance instability. The procedure typically takes less than 30 minutes and can be performed under local anesthesia. 

By improving eustachian tube function, this treatment helps normalize middle ear pressure, potentially resolving related balance issues and reducing the frequency of ear infections and pressure-related discomfort.

Ear tubes

For recurring middle ear fluid or infections that impact balance, the placement of ear tubes (tympanostomy tubes) can be an effective intervention. These tiny cylinders, inserted through the eardrum during a minor surgical procedure, create a pathway for fluid drainage and pressure equalization. 

Ear tubes are particularly beneficial when eustachian tube function is compromised, preventing the natural drainage and ventilation of the middle ear. By maintaining proper middle ear pressure and reducing fluid accumulation, ear tubes can significantly improve balance function in affected individuals. Though primarily associated with pediatric care, adults with chronic middle ear problems affecting balance may also benefit from this intervention.

Balance disorder treatment at home

Many balance disorders can be managed or improved with consistent at-home care strategies. These include: 

• Staying well-hydrated
• Practicing balance exercises recommended by healthcare providers
• Maintaining good ear hygiene to prevent infections that could worsen balance problems

Positional maneuvers like the Epley maneuver can be taught for home use to manage BPPV episodes. Lifestyle modifications such as reducing sodium intake for Ménière’s disease, avoiding trigger foods for vestibular migraines, and creating a safe home environment to prevent falls are also important components of at-home management. 

While these approaches may not replace medical treatment for serious balance disorders, they can complement clinical interventions and provide patients with greater control over their symptoms.

Struggling with balance problems? Kaplan Sinus Relief can help you regain your stability.

Living with a balance disorder can turn everyday activities into challenging obstacles, affecting your confidence and independence. At Kaplan Sinus Relief, our specialized approach addresses the root causes of your balance issues, whether they stem from inner ear problems, sinusitis, or other ENT conditions. 

Dr. Michael Kaplan’s expertise in advanced minimally invasive treatments has helped countless Houston patients overcome dizziness and instability. Don’t let balance problems control your life any longer — schedule a consultation today and take the first step toward lasting relief and renewed stability.