Diagnosing Balance Disorders

Balance disorders are common problems with potentially troubling effects. Because many different conditions can cause a balance disorder, doctors must first determine its origin in order to prescribe the best treatment.

The Balance Laboratory at UPMC's Center for Balance Disorders and our team of experts can help accurately diagnose and treat your balance problem.

Balance Disorder Signs and Symptoms

Some common symptoms of balance disorders include:

• Easily tired
• Consistent dizziness
• Anxious about doing some simple things such as walking in a mall or grocery store
• Increased dizziness with head or body movements
• Fear of falling
• Increased chance of motion-sickness, especially in the back seat of a car
• Unsteadiness when walking – often using the wall as an aid
• Vertigo or a consistent feeling of spinning
• Blurry or jumpy vision
• Slow walking pace
• Difficulty with analytical thinking and memory retention

Following your assessment at the UPMC Center for Balance Disorders, your doctor will advise which therapy is most appropriate. He or she may schedule a follow up appointment with you to see if the treatment helped.

The center will also send a letter about your diagnosis and treatment to your primary care physician, referring physician, and any other professional that you designate.

Learn More About Balance Disorder Symptoms and Diagnosis

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From our Health Library:

• Acoustic Neuroma
• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
• Dizziness
• Labyrinthitis
• Ménière's Disease

Vestibular Disorders Association:

• Symptoms of Vestibular Disorders
• Diagnosis and Treatment of Balance Disorders