Why Physicians Should Prioritize Balance Testing
The vestibular system is an important part of a patient’s overall health. When it is not functioning properly, it can lead to a number of issues, including dizziness and imbalance. That’s why physicians need to be monitoring and screening their patients for vestibular dysfunction so that we can take preventive measures to guard against falls. Let’s take a closer look at balance testing and how it can improve patient safety.
What Is Balance Testing?
Balance testing is used to assess the function of the vestibular system in order to diagnose any underlying conditions that might be causing dizziness or imbalance. These tests involve measuring eye movement and head movements. All of these measurements help physicians determine whether or not there are any dysfunctions within the vestibular system that could put a patient at risk of falling.
The Benefits Of VAT ENG Testing
The VAT ENG Test can be used to diagnose, develop a treatment plan and monitor vestibular disease. The ENG tests for problems with the CNS and peripheral systems. The VAT is a measure of the vestibular ocular reflex. These are measures of eye movements. The VAT measures the speed and the angle of the eye in normal, every-day movements. This is very important for seniors for fall prevention, as 50% of all seniors have a vestibular problem, according to Johns Hopkins. It is also very useful for diagnosing and treating dizziness in patients.
VAT ENG testing helps physicians identify potential causes of dizziness or imbalance before they become more serious issues. By catching these problems early on, physicians can provide their patients with treatment options that will improve their quality of life and decrease their risk of falling. This includes medications, physical therapy, lifestyle modifications, and even surgery when necessary.
What is the VAT?
For most of the population, balance control occurs at an unconscious level. Signals from the inner ear continuously drive the eye muscles to coordinate eye movement with head movement. This coordination is necessary to have clear vision and balance. The communication between the ear and the eye is called the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR). When the VOR is functioning properly, eye speed and timing are equal and opposite to those of the head. But, if the speed or timing is off, even slightly, vision is distorted because of apparent motion of the visual field.
Conclusion
VAT ENG testing is an important tool for assessing the function of the vestibular system in order to diagnose any underlying conditions that might be causing dizziness or imbalance in patients before they become more serious issues. By conducting these tests regularly with their patients, physicians can provide them with treatment options that will improve their quality of life and decrease their risk of falling—which will ultimately lead to better outcomes!