Ulnar Neuropathy Treatment At Ocala Family Medical Center

Running all the way from your shoulder to your little finger your ulnar nerve manages the muscles that allow you to make fine movements with your fingers. The ulnar nerve also controls some of the muscles of your forearm that allow you to grip things tightly. The ulnar nerve is not protected by muscle or bone throughout its course unlike most of your other nerves. Being near the surface of your skin means that ulnar nerve injuries aren’t uncommon and the ulnar nerve is what creates the shock-like sensation when you hit the funny bone in your elbow.

If you damage your ulnar nerve you may lose sensation and have muscle weakness in your hand. This condition is known as ulnar nerve palsy or ulnar neuropathy and it can affect your ability to make fine movements and perform many routine tasks. Ulnar nerve palsy can cause muscle wasting, or atrophy, that makes the hand look like a claw in severe cases. When this happens surgery is sometimes necessary to correct the condition.

 Probably the most common site of pain in an ulnar neuropathy is the elbow area, while many people complain of sensory changes in the fourth and fifth digits. Less commonly, an individual actually notices that the unusual sensations are mainly in the medial side of the ring finger (fourth digit). In other cases the third digit is also involved, especially on the ulnar (medial) side. The resulting sensations can be a feeling of numbness or a tingling, and pain rarely occurs in the hand. Pain complaints tend to be more common in the arm, up to and including the elbow area.

Ulnar nerve compression at the elbow is called "cubital tunnel syndrome" as the most common place for compression of the nerve is behind the inside part of the elbow. Numbness and tingling in the hand and fingers are common symptoms of cubital tunnel syndrome. Symptoms can be managed with conservative treatments like changes in activities and bracing in most cases. Your doctor may recommend surgery if conservative methods do not improve your symptoms, or if the nerve compression is causing muscle weakness or damage in your hand. It may be harder to complete tasks that were once easy since ulnar nerve palsy can make it difficult to work with your hands.

 To confirm a diagnosis of ulnar neuropathy a physical examination is usually all that is needed. Your doctor may order an electromyogram or nerve conduction studies if the symptoms are severe and require more aggressive treatment First your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and examine you. If your symptoms began after an injury to your hand make sure to tell your doctor as this can help him determine potential causes of your condition more easily. Your health care practitioner will want to know what makes your symptoms worse or better, how the injury occurred, and how long symptoms have been present.

Your doctor will assess the condition of your hand and evaluate how well you can move your fingers during the exam and in addition to a physical examination, testing can include X-rays, nerve conduction tests, imaging tests, such as a CT scan or MRI and blood tests. These examinations and diagnostic tests will measure nerve function in the ulnar nerve and help detect swelling. This will help your doctor to localize the area of the nerve that is not functioning properly, while a nerve conduction study can help determine the severity of the dysfunction.

 Similar treatments exist for cubital tunnel syndrome and ulnar tunnel syndrome. To relieve any inflammation that might be compressing the nerve is the first aim and this involves a combination of supportive splinting, rest, and proper mechanics. Ibuprofen or another pain reliever may also be prescribed. Steroid injections are generally not used because there is a risk of damage to the nerve even though steroids such as cortisone are very effective anti-inflammatory medicines. Doctors sometimes prescribe bracing or splinting, a padded brace or split to wear at night to keep your elbow in a straight position. Performing nerve gliding exercises may help some patients, many doctors think. These are exercises to help the ulnar nerve slide through the cubital tunnel at the elbow and the Guyon's canal at the wrist. In some cases these workouts can improve symptoms as they may also help prevent stiffness in the arm and wrist.

 Your doctor may recommend a surgical procedure that involves tendon transfer if he determines that the nerve is not going to restore its normal function. During a tendon transfer surgery, A functioning tendon is moved from its original bone attachment to a new one during a tendon transfer surgery and this can help to allow you to perform routine activities once again. Nerves heal slowly but the results of surgery are generally good, though full restoration of wrist and hand function can take months. You may still have a loss of sensation and movement in your hands even after surgery.

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Eduardo Cruz, M.D. and Matt Ota, PA-C make up OFMC's PM&R

team! Dr. Cruz is board certified in Physical Medicine &Rehabilitation

(PM&R), with fellowship training in Interventional Spine and Sports

Medicine. Matt Ota is a Board Certified Physician Assistant with

extensive knowledge of musculoskeletal disorders and injuries.

OFMC Wellness Center

(located at OFMC Plaza)

2135 SW 19the Avenue Road

Ocala, FL 34471

Wellness Direct: 352-368-1340

OFMC Main: 352-237-4133

Fax:      352-873-4581

E-mail: info@ocalafmc.com

Eduardo Cruz, MD

Matt Ota, PA-C

Diabetes Treatments At Ocala Family Medical Center

Glucose (blood sugar) is our brain's main source of fuel and is also an important source of energy for the cells that make up our muscles and tissues. The disease diabetes mellitus refers to a group of disorders that affect how our body uses glucose. An excess of sugar in our blood can lead to serious health problems no matter what type of diabetes we have.

Depending on the underlying cause, diabetes varies by type. Life-altering chronic diabetes conditions include type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. There are possibly reversible diabetes conditions which include prediabetes, which can happen when your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. There is also gestational diabetes which can happen during pregnancy but may resolve after the birth of the child.

Patients with type 2 diabetes are said to have insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes is a lifelong disease that prevents your body from using insulin the right way. Type 2 is the most common type of diabetes and there are about 27 million people in the U.S. with type 2. It is estimated that about 8 million people who have type 2 diabetes do not know it as the symptoms of it can be so mild you do not notice them.

 Some symptoms of type 2 diabetes include yeast infections that keep coming back, wounds that do not heal, feeling worn out, tingling or numbness in your hands or feet, being cranky a lot, being very thirsty, peeing a lot and blurry vision. Men with diabetes may have a decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction (ED), and poor muscle strength in addition to the general symptoms of diabetes. Some women with diabetes can also have symptoms such as urinary tract infections, yeast infections, and dry, itchy skin.

By way of comparison the exact cause of type 1 diabetes is not known, though we do know that your immune system — which normally fights harmful bacteria or viruses — attacks and destroys your insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. When that happens it leaves you with little or no insulin and instead of being transported into your cells, sugar builds up in your bloodstream. While weight is not believed to be a factor in type 1 diabetes,type 1 is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental factors, though exactly what those factors are is still unclear.

 It is of the utmost importance to get medical treatment for these conditions as untreated high blood sugar from diabetes can damage your nerves, eyes, kidneys, and other organs. Diabetes may also cause recurring infections because elevated glucose levels make it harder for the body to heal. Time is a real factor as the higher your blood sugar is and the longer you live with it the greater your risk for complications.

The treatment for diabetes depends on many factors and diet and exercise can help some people manage type 2 diabetes, but If lifestyle changes are not enough to lower your blood sugar, you will need to take medication. Different medications are used by doctors and some of these drugs are taken by mouth while others are available as injections. For type 1 diabetes the main treatment is insulin as insulin replaces the hormone your body is not able to produce. Thiazolidinediones help insulin work better while Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors slow your body’s breakdown of sugars and starchy foods.

You cannot treat diabetes, a serious disease, on your own. A diabetes treatment plan that is right for you and that you can understand can be provided by your doctor. It is probable that you will also need other health care professionals on your diabetes treatment team, including a nutritionist,foot doctor, eye doctor, and a diabetes specialist (called an endocrinologist). A combination of medications, exercise, and diet will help your treatment for diabetes as well as keeping close watch over your blood sugar levels and keeping them at a goal set by your doctor.

Family and Internal Medicine

Board Certified Primary Care providers are trained to care for you through all stages of life. Focused on building an on-going relationship, they help you stay well, treat you when you are sick and educate you on prevention and wellness to keep you and your family healthy.

Ocala Family Medical Center

2230 SW 19th Avenue Road

Ocala, FL 34471

Phone: 352-237-4133

Fax:      352-873-4581

E-mail: info@ocalafmc.com

Carlos F. Rodriguez, MD

Robert G. Panzer, DO

Mark Monical, DO

Robert Allen Williams, MD

Adam Alpers, DO, LHRM

Brian Pecoraro, DO

Mimi Balch, MD

Allen Winston, DO

Ana L. Sanchez Ferreras, MD

Todd R. Panzer, APRN-C

Stacey Graham, APRN-C

Linda Bellows, APRN-C

Laurel Bryant, APRN-C

Karen Larsen, APRN-C

Brittani Lucin, APRN-C

Tyler Lindsey, PA-C

Corey West, APRN-C

Melissa Formella, APRN-C

Alexis Nibe, PA-C

Samantha Weston, PA-C

Spinal Stenosis Remedies At Ocala Family Medical Center

The narrowing of the spaces within your spine which can put pressure on the nerves that travel through there is known as spinal stenosis. This malady occurs most often in the lower back and the neck region. Usually spinal stenosis is caused by wear-and-tear changes in the spine related to osteoarthritis. Doctors may recommend surgery to create additional space for the spinal cord or nerves in severe cases of spinal stenosis.

 While some sufferers may experience pain, tingling, numbness and muscle weakness that can worsen over time, some people with spinal stenosis may not have symptoms. A number of people are born with a small spinal canal and this is called “congenital stenosis”. In most cases,though, spinal narrowing is due to age-related changes that take place over time, and this is called “acquired spinal stenosis.”

 Your risk of developing spinal stenosis increases if you are female, were born with a narrow spinal canal, are 50 years old or older or if you have had a previous injury or surgery of the spine. There are certain medical conditions which can cause spinal stenosis including Paget’s Disease, spinal tumors, inflammatory spondyloarthritis and osteoarthritis, as well as bony spurs that form as we age.

 A rheumatologist will ask about your symptoms and medical history. If he suspects spinal stenosis he will do a physical exam and some symptoms he will look for include numbness, weakness, cramping or pain in the legs, thighs or feet that makes it hard to walk, as well as pain that goes down the leg. He may also want to know about any abnormal bowel and/or bladder function and loss of sexual function. There may even be, in severe cases, partial or complete leg paralysis. This is considered a medical emergency and he would likely instruct you to get to an emergency room as quickly as possible.

The location of the stenosis and the severity of your signs and symptoms will determine your treatment for spinal stenosis. Consult with your doctor about the treatment that is best for your situation. In the event that your symptoms are mild or you are not experiencing any your doctor may monitor your condition with regular follow-up appointments. Your health care provider may offer some self-care tips that you can do at home. Further treatments may be required if these do not help, in such a case your doctor may recommend medications or physical therapy.

If other treatments have not helped surgery may be an option. A number of recent studies have found that surgery produces better results than non-surgical treatment in the short term. Although surgery may bring some relief, it will not cure spinal stenosis or osteoarthritis and it is possible that your symptoms may recur.

 Medications may be needed to treat your condition, and your doctor may prescribe pain relievers. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and pain medications such as naproxen (Aleve, others) and acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) may be used temporarily to ease the discomfort of spinal stenosis. There is little evidence of benefit from long-term use of these medicines, so they are typically recommended for a short time only. Daily doses of tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, can help ease chronic pain. Habit-forming medications that contain codeine-related drugs such as oxycodone (Oxycontin, Roxicodone) and hydrocodone (Norco, Vicodin) may be useful for short-term pain relief, but these opioids may also be considered cautiously for long-term treatment. Or your doctor may prescribe anti-seizure drugs, such as gabapentin (Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica), which are used to reduce pain caused by damaged nerves.

 In an effort to reduce pain it is common for people who have spinal stenosis to become less active. However, this can lead to muscle weakness, which can result in more pain. The services of a physical therapist may be called for. Your physical therapist can teach you exercises that may help you improve your balance, maintain the flexibility and stability of your spine and build up your strength and endurance. A physical therapist can help you build and maintain strength in the muscles of your arms and upper legs, which will improve your balance and ability to walk. This could also help you bend and move about, as well as control pain.

Location

OFMC Wellness Center

2131 SW 20th Place

Ocala, FL 34471

Wellness Direct: 352-368-1340

OFMC Main: 352-237-4133

Fax:      352-873-4581

E-mail: info@ocalafmc.com

Eduardo Cruz, MD

Matt Ota, PA-C

Treatment For Facet Joint Syndrome At Ocala Family Medical Center

Facet joint syndrome is the pain at the joint between two vertebrae in your spine, another term for facet joint syndrome is osteoarthritis. The joints in your spine that make your back flexible and enable you to bend and twist are the facet joints.The nerves in your back exit your spinal cord through these joints on their way to other parts of your body. Normal healthy facet joints have cartilage, which allows your vertebrae to move smoothly against each other with no grinding. All your joints are lubricated with synovial fluid for additional protection against wear and tear.

 Another term for facet joint syndrome is facet arthropathy. Progressive and degenerative changes in the spine may cause body weight to shift unevenly to the facet joints. The resulting extra stress causes wear and tear on the joint and changes it over time. Through this process the joint capsule thins and smooth cartilage breaks down and becomes irregular. Bone spurs may also form. These changes make it difficult for the joint to move fluidly and it reacts by becoming inflamed and irritated, similar to arthritis of the knee joint. As a result this irritated joint sends pain signals to the brain via small nerves in the capsule called medial branch sensory nerves. When this happens the muscles in the area can stiffen and spasm.

 Until an event triggers symptoms facet joint degeneration can be painless. Indicators that a person’s pain is coming from the facet joints may include a diffuse, dull ache in the low back directly over the spine that can spread to the buttocks. It can be felt in the shoulders and back of the skull, as well as in the neck. Twisting backwards or bending sideways towards the affected joint will cause pain. Periods of inactivity or standing may worsen the pain. Sitting, leaning forward, or changing positions, activities that take the weight off the joint, may ease the pain. A patient's facet joint symptoms can also mimic the pain of a disc herniation. In the event that bone spurs form and press on the spinal nerves, pain may be felt down the arms or legs. The pain may come in periodic flare-ups, or it may be chronic.

Cartilage in our joints wears down as we get older. Spine conditions that change the way the facet joints align and move can cause pain, events such as an injury, repetitive movements, obesity, and poor posture. The deterioration of a vertebral disc can begin changes in the facet joints. Over time when the load of the body weight shifts to the facet joint, the cartilage breaks down, the joint space narrows, and the bones rub together, leading to complications. Those prone to arthritis, both men and women, may be affected by facet joint syndrome. Usually it targets those between the ages of 40 and 70 and can also develop in people who have had a spine injury.

A complete history and physical exam usually begins the diagnosis of facet joint syndrome. Other diagnostic tests may be ordered by your doctor as well. To determine whether there are abnormalities in your spine, X-rays may be recommended. Sometimes a CT scan can show more detail about your facet joint surfaces. Your doctor may recommend a CT scan to get a better look if the X-rays suggest something may be affecting your facet joints. Your doctor may order a bone scan which can be useful in determining whether your facet joints are inflamed. In most cases an inflamed facet joint will show up as a hot spot on a bone scan.

 There is evidence that exercise, lifestyle changes and careful management of your back pain can contribute to better quality of life even though facet joint arthritis cannot be reversed. Your doctor may recommend injections, medications or surgery if conservative therapies fail to help you manage and control the pain. To prevent painful episodes using correct posture and keeping your spine in alignment are important things you can do. You can reduce the load on the facet joints and alleviate pain by losing weight and you might benefit further by making adjustments to your daily standing, sitting, and sleeping habits.

 Your doctor will likely recommend physical therapy to treat your symptoms once a diagnosis of facet joint syndrome has been confirmed. Well-rounded rehabilitation programs assist in improving your mobility and strength, helping you do your daily activities with greater ease and ability, and calming pain and inflammation. To decrease blood flow to the affected area and reduce swelling, physical therapy may also include the use of ice. To treat muscle spasms ultrasound and electrostimulation may also be used. Exercises will help you regain joint mobility, flexibility, and strength When you're feeling better and muscle stretching and massage may also be helpful.

In most cases you can heal faster through physical therapy, and exercise is very helpful for a painful facet joint. To strengthen and stretch your lower back, leg, and stomach muscles physical therapists will work with you. These specialists can instruct you on proper lifting and walking techniques. You must follow through, though...a physical therapist may show you strengthening and stretching exercises, but it is your responsibility to follow them.

 In some cases patients could require topical patches, oral anti-inflammatory medications or creams, salves or mechanical bracing. For muscle spasms, sometimes muscle relaxers are prescribed. A minimally invasive procedure that involves an injection of a corticosteroid and an analgesic-numbing agent into the painful joint is a facet joint injection, and steroids can reduce the swelling and inflammation of the nerves.

Eduardo Cruz, M.D. and Matt Ota, PA-C make up OFMC's PM&R

team! Dr. Cruz is board certified in Physical Medicine &Rehabilitation

(PM&R), with fellowship training in Interventional Spine and Sports

Medicine. Matt Ota is a Board Certified Physician Assistant with

extensive knowledge of musculoskeletal disorders and injuries.

OFMC Wellness Center

2131 SW 20th Place

Ocala, FL 34471

Wellness Direct: 352-368-1340

OFMC Main: 352-237-4133

Fax:      352-873-4581

E-mail: info@ocalafmc.com

Eduardo Cruz, MD

Matt Ota, PA-C

Vertigo Treatment At Ocala Family Medical Center

Often incorrectly used to describe a fear of heights is the term "vertigo". People often will mistakenly say "vertigo" when they mean fear of heights or simple dizziness. However in medical circles, vertigo refers specifically to a false sensation of movement. Rather than vertigo the medical term for a fear of heights and the dizzy feeling associated with looking down from a high place is called "acrophobia".

Rather than a condition itself, vertigo is a symptom. Vertigo is that sensation that you, or the environment around you, is moving or spinning. In some cases this feeling may be barely noticeable, while in others it may be so severe that you find it difficult to keep your balance and do everyday tasks.

 Vertigo episodes can develop suddenly and last for a few seconds, or they may last much longer. Your symptoms may be constant and last for several days if you have severe vertigo, making normal life very difficult. There are other debilitating symptoms associated with vertigo which may include loss of balance, which can make it difficult to stand or walk. Other effects are feeling sick and dizziness.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) occurs when tiny calcium particles (canaliths) clump up in canals of the inner ear. Our inner ear sends signals to the brain about head and body movements relative to gravity and therefore helps us keep our balance. This vertigo known as BPPV may be associated with age or can occur for no known reason.

 Vertigo makes someone have a sense that their head, or their surrounding environment, is moving or spinning. While vertigo can be a symptom of other conditions it can also have its own set of related symptoms. Symptoms of vertigo may include headache, a feeling of fullness in the ear, tinnitus, nausea and vomiting,a sense of motion sickness, balance problems and lightheadedness.

Vertigo is a rotational dizziness and not just a general feeling of faintness. While there are some types of vertigo that may resolve without treatment any underlying problem may need medical attention. Such a case would be a bacterial infection that would likely need antibiotic therapy. The condition of vertigo can be temporary, or it might be long-term. In some cases vertigo has been linked to mental health issues and a psychiatric problem may cause the dizziness. In many instances vertigo can affect a person's ability to function in daily life, and this can lead to depression or anxiety.

Certain medicines and problems with your inner ear as well as certain medications may cause dizziness, as can motion sickness. There are times when dizziness can be a symptom of other disorders. When we age we may have more health problems and take more medicines which can make us more likely to have problems with dizziness and balance. While sometimes dizziness gets better by itself or is easily treated,if you are dizzy often you should see your health care provider to find the cause.

 Even though certain cases of vertigo might improve over time, without treatment, some people have repeated episodes for many months, or even years. For some causes of vertigo there are specific treatments. The Epley maneuver is a series of simple head movements used to treat BPPV. Prochlorperazine and some antihistamines are medicines which can help in the early stages or most cases of vertigo. A series of exercises for people with dizziness and balance problems is vestibular rehabilitation training (VRT), which many people with vertigo also benefit from.

 Our Physical Therapy Department offers individualized treatment plans that suit each patients needs. The purpose of our Physical Therapy team is to improve quality of life while educating our patients on how to prevent further injuries.

OFMC Wellness Center

Wellness Direct: 352-368-1340

OFMC Main: 352-237-4133

Fax: 352-873-4581

E-mail: info@ocalafmc.com

Tendonitis Solutions At Ocala Family Medical Center

When a person overuses or injures a tendon during,for example,the playing of sports,tendinitis, also known as tendonitis, can result. Being the inflammation of a tendon, tendinitis is normally linked to an acute injury and it often affects the elbow, wrist, finger, thigh, and other parts of the body.

Usually tendonitis is caused by the overuse of a tendon in the course of work, athletics, or daily activities. This condition is most often associated with repetitive movements such as that caused by assembly line work. It also happens in sports like golf or tennis where an action is repeated excessively. Even though tendinitis can be caused by a sudden injury, the condition is much more likely to stem from the repetition of a particular movement over time. In most cases people develop tendinitis because their jobs or hobbies involve repetitive motions, which put stress on the tendons.

It is especially important to use proper technique when performing repetitive sports movements or job-related activities. The repeated use of improper technique can overload the tendon — which can occur, for instance, with tennis elbow — and lead to tendinitis. The injury can become aggravated without proper treatment and tendinitis can increase your risk of experiencing tendon rupture. Tendon rupture is a much more serious condition that may require you to undergo surgery.

It is possible for tendinitis to occur at any age, but it is more common among adults who do a lot of sports. Also older people are susceptible because the tendons we frequently use tend to lose elasticity and become weaker with age. Commonly tendonitis is seen more in people over 40 with the risk and severity of symptoms typically increasing with age.

Similar problems may occur in different parts of the body and the body part that is involved may give the injury its name, for example, Achilles tendinitis. There are other familiar terms such as pitcher's shoulder, tennis or golfer's elbow, and jumper's knee. The signs and symptoms of tendinitis tend to occur at the point where a tendon attaches to a bone.

Tendonitis may sometimes be caused by direct injury such as a blow to the tendon. Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are inflammatory disorders which can also give rise to both the sudden and persistent inflammations of tendons. The resulting pain is often described as a dull ache, especially when moving the affected limb or joint. Tenderness and mild swelling have also been observed.

A condition known as tendinosis may develop if tendon irritation persists for several weeks or months with no treatment. Tendinosis involves degenerative changes in the tendon, along with abnormal new blood vessel growth. During an office visit a doctor will ask about symptoms and carry out a physical examination. In the course of this when the physician attempts to move the tendon, a creaky sound may be heard. Usually this happens because the tendon sheath has become thicker and inflamed.

Tendinitis may be indicated if there is tenderness at one specific point in the tendon. If the problem does not go away with rest, ice, and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, the doctor may recommend some tests. In this event an x-ray can show up calcium deposits around the tendon, which may help confirm a diagnosis. In other cases different imaging tests, such as ultrasound or MRI, may reveal swelling of the tendon sheath.

Possible treatments of tendinitis may include icing the area the day of the injury,resting the injured area, and avoiding activities that aggravate the problem. You may also try using topical anti-inflammatory gels or taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications. But see your doctor if the condition does not improve in a week as you may need more advanced treatments. These might include corticosteroid injections,physical therapy or surgery.

Ocala Family Medical Center

2230 SW 19th Avenue Road

Ocala, FL 34471

Phone: 352-237-4133

Fax:      352-873-4581

E-mail: info@ocalafmc.com

Balance Disorders Care At Ocala Family Medical Center

Whether you are lying down, sitting or standing, balance problems can make you feel dizzy, as if the room is spinning. You may also feel unsteady, or lightheaded. You could experience feelings that you are going to fall down. There are many medical conditions that can cause balance problems. Most balance problems, however, result from issues in your balance end-organ in the inner ear (vestibular system).

Your body systems must work normally for you to have normal balance. These systems include the muscles, bones, joints, vision, and the balance organ in the inner ear, as well as the nerves, heart and blood vessels. You can experience balance problems when these systems are not functioning well. 

The vestibular system works with other sensorimotor systems in the body, such as our visual system (the eyes) and skeletal system (our bones and joints). To check and maintain the position of our body at rest or in motion is the function of these systems. They also helps us maintain a steady focus on objects even though the position of our body changes. Our vestibular system does this by detecting mechanical forces, which includes gravity, that act upon our vestibular organs when our bodies are in motion. 

Our semicircular canals are three fluid-filled loops arranged roughly at right angles to each other. They tell the brain when our head moves in a rotating or circular way, such as when we nod our head up and down or look from right to left. The two sections of the labyrinth that help us accomplish these tasks are the semicircular canals and the otolithic organs.

Around 20% of all dizziness is due to benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).Within the inner ear small crystals can break loose from their correct position in the balance organ and collect as debris within another part. When the head is moved these crystals also move, and this sends false signals to the brain about how you are moving. It is possible that some people can feel dizzy and unsteady when they tip their heads back to look up, although these symptoms can vary or come and go. 

Neuronitis is also known as vestibular neuritisis and is an infection of the vestibular nerve in the inner ear. This affliction causes the vestibular nerve to become inflamed, disrupting your sense of balance. Although the balance symptoms may be similar, other infections of the inner ear are often caused by viruses and less commonly by bacterial infections. Such inner ear viral infection may be caused by a general viral illness or the infection may be just in the inner ear and usually only one ear is affected. The treatments for these conditions are very different, so correct diagnosis by a specialist is essential.  

Herpes zoster oticus is also known as Ramsay Hunt syndrome, and this condition occurs when a shingles-like infection affects the facial, auditory and vestibular nerves near one of your ears. If you have it you might experience vertigo, ear pain, facial weakness and hearing loss.

A relatively rare disorder that affects the inner ear is Meniere’s disease. This condition can cause vertigo, tinnitus, hearing loss, and a feeling of pressure deep inside the ear. Endolymphatic Hydrops is the correct name for this increase of pressure in the Endolymphatic system of the inner ear and labyrinth. The resulting increase in pressure can lead to all of the symptoms previously described. Those who suffer from it often describe feeling the pressure build up in the ear prior to any episode of Meniere’s, followed by balance problems and the hearing/tinnitus. 

Your doctor may suggest you see an otolaryngologist to help evaluate a balance problem. Otolaryngologists are physicians and surgeons who specialize in the ear, nose, and throat. Depending on your symptoms and health status your otolaryngologist may request tests to assess the cause and extent of the balance problem.

Our Physical Therapy Department offers individualized treatment plans that suit each patients needs. You do not have to be a Primary Care patient of Ocala Family Medical Center to schedule appointments with our Physical Therapy Department..

OFMC Wellness Center

2131 SW 20th Place

Ocala, FL 34471

Wellness Direct: 352-368-1340

OFMC Main: 352-237-4133

Fax: 352-873-4581

E-mail: info@ocalafmc.com

Nick Machupa, PT, OCS

Deborah Main, DPT

Joseph Javier, DPT

Claudia Guevara, PTA