Dizziness and Parkinson’s

Wellness Series Summary: Dizziness and Parkinson’s on 10/21/20 with Shelley Hockensmith, PT, Board Certified Neurologic Specialist 

Below is a summary of the presentation 

What is dizziness? 

Dizziness can be categorized as 

1. Vertigo 

1. Lightheadedness 

1. Disequilibrium  

Vertigo 

• Feeling as if you are spinning or the room is spinning around you 

• Usually triggered by a change of head position such as rolling over in bed 
• May be accompanied by nausea and abnormal eye movements 
• Common causes include benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and vestibular neuritis 
• Treatments include vestibular rehabilitation from a physical therapist or other trained professional  

Lightheadedness 

• Feeling faint as if you might pass out 
• In people with PD, it is often caused by orthostatic hypotension (a large drop in blood pressure) with standing up from a chair or sitting up from lying down 
• Recommendations include staying hydrated, taking your time with transitions, and speaking with your physician 

Disequilibrium 

• Feeling unsteady and imbalanced  

• In people with PD, it may be caused by changes in posture and postural stability 
• Recommendations include improving your posture and balance 

What is balance? 

Balance depends on input from 3 systems 

1. Visual 

1. Vestibular 

1. Somatosensation 

 

Visual 

• We use our eyes to give our brain feedback about where we are 

• To begin, focus on a target 
• To challenge your balance, close your eyes 

Vestibular 

• Organs in your inner ear tell your brain about changes in head position and movement 
• To begin, keep your head still 

• To challenge your balance, turn your head side to side or up and down 

Somatosensation 

• Sensors in your muscles, tendons, and joints that tell you if you are standing on a solid surface, incline, or uneven surface 
• To begin, stand on a flat, stable surface 
• To challenge your balance, stand on an uneven or soft surface