Vestibular Insights.

I am very excited to share that Prof. Itamar Raz  – a world-renowned expert in the field of diabetes and internal medicine – has joined our group. Prof. Raz served for 20 years (until recently) as Chairman of the National Diabetes Council, previously managed the Diabetes Unit at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital, and led major studies that resulted in the implementation of medications for diabetes and its complications. I asked him to take part in the group and this discussion to p

I got sick with Corona 6 times! I went through all variants, and despite recovery, vertigo symptoms remained or worsened. What I found in articles: Neuritis following Corona:  Inflammation of the balance nerve. Eustachian Tube damage:  Causing floating sensations. Long-Covid:  Dizziness is very common months after recovery. Did anyone here feel symptoms started or worsened after Corona?

As you know, I have been dealing with vertigo for over a decade. Vestibular PT helped me in a life-saving way. Alongside that – I believe in a holistic approach. That's how I got to Yuri  – a Chinese and Japanese medicine practitioner. He works with an integrative approach: Acupuncture, Cranio-Sacral, and even Medical Leeches . Yes, leeches... It sounds scary, but it is a legitimate medical treatment assisting in reducing inflammation and improving blood flow. Yuri is availab

Recent studies show that practicing meditation can help our brain and body stabilize. Findings: Reduced hypersensitivity in the balance system. Brain scans showed meditation affects areas responsible for balance processing. Guided imagery acts as "stability training" for the brain. It is not a substitute for medical treatment, but an additional tool.

A clinical controlled trial (RCT) published this year followed people suffering from BPPV. Results:  Those who took Vitamin D3 had an 87% decrease  in attack recurrence! For those with a deficiency, a simple supplement can be a significant tool. Have you checked your levels?

Last year taught me a lot about fragility and strength. When my dizziness and floating sensation started, I felt the ground dropping out from under my feet. There were moments I broke completely. I researched, asked, checked, and finally understood there is no one big solution, but many small steps: Vestibular PT, acupuncture, meditation, better sleep, nutrition adjustments. It's not a sprint – it's a marathon. And although there are hard days, I learned I can cope. Vertigo i

Vertigo is not a "disease," it is a language the body speaks.  It is a symptom. Microscopic damage to the inner ear can trigger an attack without warning.  Damage to the otolithic membrane can release wrong signals. Massage devices/Vibration risk:  Reported cases of BPPV attacks after using electric neck massagers. The vibrations likely "shook loose" calcium particles. AI that identifies vertigo types:  A system called LAD uses a camera to analyze eye movements. Betahistine i

Sometimes, the true source of dizziness is in the brain, or even our emotional system. Visual-Vestibular Mismatch:  When the brain becomes too sensitive to stimuli. When stress enters...  everything intensifies. Neck muscles contract, breathing becomes shallow, and the vestibular system goes into high alert. What can be done?  Vestibular rehab, breathing exercises, meditation, Shiatsu, and anxiety treatment can help the body recalibrate balance. Have you noticed attacks comin

A phenomenon doctors are discussing more and more: Cervicogenic Dizziness . The neck has tiny sensors called Proprioceptors  that tell the brain where the head is. When there is stiffness or tension, these sensors transmit wrong info, creating a conflict in the brain. Doctors report patients with chronic dizziness but all tests (Ear, MRI) are normal—and then they discover the neck is simply stuck in constant tension. Who diagnoses this?  A combination of ENT, Neurologist, Ort

Many think dizziness is only related to the inner ear, but fluctuations in blood pressure and blood sugar are central causes for that "clouds in the head" feeling. What happens in the body? The Autonomic Nervous System  is responsible for blood flow to the brain. When we stand up quickly, blood pressure drops temporarily. When we eat sugar, insulin spikes and glucose fluctuates. In some of us, this system doesn't react fast enough (Dysautonomia or POTS). While the inner ear

I noticed many here write that attacks come specifically after short nights. The Truth?  It's not just a gut feeling, there is a deep scientific explanation. Sleep is a repair mechanism. During sleep (especially REM), the brain "resets" the balance system and re-processes connections between vision, balance, and movement. When we don't sleep enough, these networks work in "overload." Also, lack of sleep raises Cortisol (stress hormone), which causes reduced blood flow in the

Have you ever felt dizziness coming in waves, as if the body is "lit up" from the inside? New studies show it's related to the immune system and inflammatory processes, especially in Long Covid. During inflammation, the body releases Cytokines—substances that transmit "inflammation signals" to the brain. In Long Covid, the immune system stays overactive, leading to floating sensations and difficulty regulating blood pressure (POTS). The Good News:  Reducing inflammation throu

There are times we feel the body "forgot" how to be stable. The good news: It's not permanent, the brain can learn again! This is Neuroplasticity : the brain's ability to create new connections between nerve cells. Research findings: Nature Neuroscience  (2024) showed that even 10 minutes a day of focused vestibular activity caused real brain changes. A Cochrane Review  (2022) explicitly stated that movement-based vestibular rehabilitation is an effective and scientifically v

We've all heard of the "Gut Microbiome," but new studies reveal something surprising: The bacteria living in our gut can directly affect the brain, and even the appearance of dizziness and floating sensations. So how is the gut connected to balance? The gut is not just a "digestive system." It is a neural and hormonal communication center connected directly to the brain via the Vagus Nerve , which is also responsible for regulating the balance system. When there is Dysbiosis

Sometimes we feel like dizziness "comes out of nowhere," but the truth is the body has very clear mechanisms, and when it lacks basic resources, the brain and inner ear are the first to feel it. Why are minerals so important for balance? The balance system is based on nerve cells and vestibular hair cells that require a stable level of: Magnesium:  Regulates neural activity. Potassium:  Enables signal transmission. Iron:  Responsible for oxygen supply to the brain. When thes

Many of us feel that dizziness "times" itself with hormonal changes: ovulation days, period, pre-menstrual, or around menopause. It's not imagination, it's proven physiology. So what actually happens? The hormones Estrogen and Progesterone affect: Blood flow to the brain, fluid regulation in the inner ear, and the Autonomic Nervous System. When there is a sudden drop in estrogen (like before a period or in menopause), it can cause instability of fluids in the balance system,

There is something about the moment dizziness erupts suddenly... The body spins, the floor escapes, the heart pounds and we look for an answer. Is it dangerous? Why is it happening? And what really helps? What is Vestibular Neuritis actually? According to the current definition by the Bárány Society (2022), it is an acute disorder in the function of the vestibular nerve in one ear. It causes strong and continuous vertigo (at least 24 hours), without hearing loss. Possible ca

Dizziness is not one disease but a symptom that can come from several different pathologies. I prepared a short review to help you understand what stands behind the feelings that sometimes attack us out of nowhere: BPPV / "Crystals":  Rotational and short dizziness (seconds). Appears only in certain head movements. Usually passes with a treatment maneuver like Epley. One of the most common causes. Vestibular Hypofunction / Decrease in Inner Ear Function:  Feeling of instabili

Have you ever walked into a mall, a supermarket, or even scrolled on your phone and suddenly your head "floats"? It's not just sensory overload. It is a brain mechanism. How it works: Our balance system operates based on a combination of three information sources: Inner ear: senses motion and position Vision: understands the environment Muscles and joints: feel the body in space When vision sends the brain different information than what the ear feels, the brain enters a "co

Happy Holiday to everyone! In Hanukkah, we talk a lot about the light banishing the darkness. For those dealing with vertigo or dizziness, "darkness" is sometimes the fear of the next attack, and the instability accompanying us. But this year, I chose to spread scientific "light" that can truly change the picture. The holiday's scientific point of light:  Large-scale studies from recent years (including a review from 2024-2025) shine a spotlight on the connection between Vita