Feeling dizzy after a stroke is more common than you think. Learn more about post-stroke dizziness and how vestibular therapy can improve your function.

 Post-Stroke Dizziness: How Vestibular Therapy Can Help

Dizziness is a common symptom in stroke survivors, but it is rarely addressed as
the main concern in rehabilitation programs. Consequently, many people are left
with dizziness that lingers beyond recovery and affects day to day activities.

Post-stroke dizziness can leave survivors sidelined from their regular routines.
Feeling dizzy after a stroke can be caused by different factors. To understand
more about post-stroke dizziness, let’s take a deeper look at factors that may
be involved and which treatments can help.


Dizziness After Stroke: Your Questions Answered
 * Why do people experience dizziness after stroke?
 * How does a brainstem stroke cause dizziness?
 * What treatments are available for post-stroke dizziness?
 * How can vestibular therapy help with post-stroke dizziness?
 * What is the prognosis for post-stroke dizziness?


Why do people experience dizziness after stroke?

Post-stroke dizziness can be a consequence of different medications, long
periods of inactivity, or sudden changes in blood pressure when we change
positions. People can also experience dizziness if the stroke affected certain 
structures in the brain
[https://www.neofect.com/us/blog/brain-anatomy-101-major-structures-and-functions]
. This specific type of stroke is known as a brainstem stroke. 


Major parts of the human brain include the four lobes of the cerebral cortex,
the brainstem, and the cerebellum.
A brainstem stroke occurs when blood flow to the brainstem is disrupted. The
brainstem, which is responsible for maintaining the body’s automatic functions,
is located near the base of the skull and found deep within the brain. It is
home to several important structures and connections that allow our bodies to
perform vital functions without conscious thought, also known as involuntary
activities. Simple involuntary activities like eating, breathing, and
controlling our heart rate are regulated in the brainstem. 

You can also think of the brainstem as a bridge between higher-level brain
activity and the rest of the body. Because of its location and important role in
sustaining life, any injury or trauma to the brainstem can have profound effects
on the body. 



How does a brainstem stroke cause dizziness?

Any disruption in the blood flow to the brainstem can also affect a nearby
structure known as the cerebellum. The cerebellum is responsible for creating
and coordinating movement after receiving information from our inner ear, eyes,
and sensory receptors in the body. Dizziness can occur when the brain is unable
to correctly interpret the information which, in turn, affects eye movements
and/or balance. 


What treatments are available for post-stroke dizziness?

Treatment for post-stroke dizziness depends on the cause. Certain medications
may be prescribed, or your healthcare provider can show you specific strategies
to help decrease dizziness that results from position changes. Vestibular
therapy can also be an effective treatment for post-stroke dizziness that
originates from the brainstem and/or cerebellum.


How can vestibular therapy help with post-stroke dizziness?

Vestibular therapy, a specialized form of physical therapy, addresses problems
that may arise in the vestibular system
[https://www.neuroscientificallychallenged.com/blog/know-your-brain-vestibular-system]
. For stroke survivors, vestibular therapy can be helpful in reducing dizziness
with head movements, sensitivity to busy environments, and loss of balance.

A bustling grocery store can provoke dizziness for those sensitive to busy
environments.
The vestibular system is an elaborate network of information that sends signals
to our brain related to motion, head movements, and body awareness. While that
information is processed, the vestibular system makes sure that the body remains
balanced and stabilized, also commonly referred to as equilibrium. 

When you are a passenger in a moving vehicle, your vestibular system is working
hard to process visual information about the passing vehicles and scenery while
making sure your body remains upright within the car. 

When the vestibular system is not working properly, many people will report
dizziness with head and/or eye movements, loss of balance, feeling dizzy in busy
environments like a grocery store, or a false sensation of movement that can
occur at any time. Others may feel a heightened sense of anxiety in crowds or
motion sickness on a moving platform, like an escalator or elevator. 

Vestibular therapy uses specific exercises using head and eye movements to
retrain the vestibular system and decrease sensitivity to visual movement. Doing
this helps to reteach the body how to coordinate movement and balance while the
head is moving. Vestibular therapy uses two strategies, known as habituation
and
adaptation [https://www.asha.org/Articles/Vestibular-Rehabilitation/], to create
these changes and improve your ability to perform everyday activities or
complete work responsibilities. 


A vestibular therapist may instruct a patient through a series of head-turning
exercises as part of an adaptation program to reduce dizziness.
Here is one way to test your vestibular system. Stand and hold your thumb in
front of you at an arms-length away. While keeping your eyes on the tip of your
thumb, slowly move your head back and forth like you are telling someone “no.”
You should be able to shake your head and maintain clarity of your thumb without
feeling dizzy or off-balance. If so, then a part of your vestibular system,
known as the Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex, is working properly! 


What is the prognosis for post-stroke dizziness?

With the right treatment approach, stroke survivors can see improvements in
post-stroke dizziness. Vestibular therapy can play a large role in helping
patients to regain independence and decrease symptoms of dizziness and imbalance
with everyday activities. 

Other prognoses for post-stroke dizziness unrelated to the vestibular system
will vary, depending on the cause of dizziness and available treatments. In
these cases, vestibular therapy may not be effective, especially if the
vestibular system is working properly. Your healthcare provider will be able to
provide more information on treatment options that are specific to you and your
needs.


Further Reading: 
How do I know if I have a vestibular disorder?
[https://vestibular.org/sites/default/files/page_files/Documents/How%20Do%20I%20know%20if%20I%20have%20a%20vestibular%20disorder.pdf]
Find a vestibular therapist in your area
[https://kaylacovertpt.wixsite.com/dizzydoc/post/what-is-vestibular-physical-therapy]


Looking for more ways to improve balance after stroke? Check out the Neofect
Smart Balance [https://www.neofect.com/us/smart-balance]! Call (888) 623-8984 or
email info@neofect.com for more information.