Vestibular apparatus disorders: symptoms and treatment. Vestibular apparatus in the body - functions, poor coordination and training at home

Every person makes a lot of body movements every day: walking, squatting, turning. Often all movements are given without the slightest effort and turn out smooth. However, sometimes an extra step or tilt of the body causes serious discomfort: dizziness, disorientation and nausea begin. Perhaps the reason lies in a disease or disorder of the vestibular apparatus.

What is the vestibular apparatus

The organs of balance have complex system buildings and are responsible for several functions simultaneously. However, the main one among many others is the vestibular analyzer - a peripheral part of the system responsible for correct orientation in space. If there are any violations of the coordination system, a person loses the ability to maintain balance, navigate in space, perceive visual and audio information, and begins to feel dizzy.

Where is the organ of balance located?

If you open an anatomy textbook, you can see many photos of the structure of the balance system. However, most of these images do not give a clear idea of ​​where the vestibular apparatus in humans. If you imagine the structure of the skull from the inside, you will find that this organ is located in the inner ear. Around the balance apparatus are the semicircular canals, jelly-like endolymph and receptors of the vestibular analyzer.

How does the vestibular apparatus work?

The components of the system are three semicircular tubules - the utriculus and the otolithic organ - the sacculus. The channels are filled from the inside with a viscous liquid and have the shape of a shell, at the base of which there is a seal - jelly-like cupules. The sacculus is divided into two sacs: round and oval shape. Above them are small crystals of calcium carbonate - otoliths.

Under the sealing valve there are ciliated cells inner ear, with the help of which two types of signals are transmitted: static and dynamic. The first are associated with the position of the body, the second with the acceleration of movement. In general, the coordination organ is formed in such a way that at the slightest tilt and turn of the head or walking, all the component parts interact at once.

How does the balance organ work?

Although the vestibular system is located inside the bone box, this does not prevent it from collecting information not only about the position of the head, but also the arms, legs and other organs human body. The connection with the balance apparatus is particularly secure. nerve endings, gastrointestinal tract, of cardio-vascular system. That is why, after being nervous and drinking too much coffee, many people feel dizzy.

Under the influence of attraction, the jelly-like liquid and the crystals in it will shift, affecting the balance receptors. The villi will immediately transmit information to the brain about changes in balance, and from there instructions will come to other organs: change muscle tone, move your leg or arm to the right, stand up straighter. At the same time, it is very interesting that the vestibular system is configured only for horizontal movement of the body, therefore, when going up in an elevator or flying on an airplane, many experience severe nausea, ringing in the ears, dizziness.

Functions

In close proximity to optic nerves and the auricles, the balance system has nothing to do with either hearing or vision. Main function vestibular apparatus - analyze changes in the position of the arms, legs, torso or head and transmit data to the brain. The organ quickly reacts to minimal external influence, detecting even the slightest changes in the gravitational field of the planet, helping to maintain balance in complete blindness or navigate in unfamiliar space.

Vestibular disorders

Due to the fact that all components of the balance apparatus act together, while it manages to collect information from other organs of the body, the slightest deviations in one direction or another can lead to disruptions in its functioning. Vestibular disorders cause serious problems V spatial orientation not only in humans, but also in animals or representatives of birds.

Previously, such deviations from the norm affect the gait: it becomes uncertain, shaky, a person can fall for no reason or crash into an upright piece of furniture. In addition, many patients complain of constant dizziness, pain in the temporal region, blurred vision, tinnitus, increased frequency of heart rate.

Reasons for violation

Why the vestibular apparatus is disrupted is difficult to answer unequivocally even for an experienced otolaryngologist. For example, a simple head injury or short-term loss of consciousness can lead to this pathology. If an adult complains of dizziness, then it is likely that the cause lies in heart problems. When a system failure occurs after an infection: otitis media, ARVI with complications, inflammation, they speak of intoxication.

Symptoms

Doctors say that the main manifestations of pathology are severe dizziness, loss of coordination and eye twitching. However, the patient is often persecuted by others associated symptoms vestibular apparatus disorders:

• attacks of nausea, sometimes vomiting;
• changes in color skin, mucous membranes of the mouth, membranes of the eyes;
• profuse sweating;
• level up blood pressure;
• tachycardia;
• rapid breathing;
• a decrease in body temperature below normal levels;
• change in heart rate.

All signs may appear in fits and starts. During periods of calm, the patient feels completely healthy, and previous symptoms vestibular disorders chalks it up to fatigue. Often such signs of malaise occur when changing body position, tilting or turning the head, changes in temperature or air humidity, when sudden unpleasant odors.

Diseases of the vestibular apparatus

Doctors count more than 80 different diseases that in one way or another may be associated with a violation of the balance apparatus. An example is diseases endocrine system, traumatic brain injuries, cardiovascular pathologies, serious mental disorders. At the same time, for all diseases of the vestibular system, doctors will have an explanation, a description of the symptoms and ways to check them.

Meniere's disease

This disease of the balance apparatus can be described using only four signs: dizziness, noise or congestion in the ears and hearing loss. The first three symptoms peak within a couple of minutes, gradually subsiding over several hours. Reduced sound perception by early stage reversible. In some patients, Meniere's syndrome may be accompanied by a brief loss of consciousness or balance.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

This deviation can occur at any age, but most often affects the elderly. It is caused by infections, traumatic brain injuries, or ischemic disease hearts, sometimes the source cannot be determined. In patients with this diagnosis, a feeling of dizziness, loss of balance and other symptoms appear with every turn, tilt of the torso or head.

Basilar migraine

The syndrome is short-lived and usually affects patients under 20 years of age. Basilar or teenage migraine is especially common in girls entering the period of formation of the menstrual cycle. Headaches, dizziness and nausea in a teenager appear suddenly and in rare cases development lasts more than one hour.

Vestibular neuritis

The disease is possible at any age. Often its appearance is accompanied by an acute respiratory infection, so doctors attribute the disease to a viral nature. Neuritis of the vestibular apparatus is accompanied by severe rotational dizziness, vomiting and nausea, and twitching of the eyelid. With the right treatment, the deviation goes away in 3-4 days, but full recovery will take up to several weeks.

What to do if the vestibular system is damaged

When the balance organs fail and signal this in every possible way, a person should first undergo an examination and visit an ENT doctor’s office. Mandatory diagnostics include:

• special hardware tests for audiometry and electronystagmography;
• CT or MRI of the brain;
• blood analysis;
• ultrasound examination of blood flow;
• vestibular tests.

Training

If the dizziness is minor and only bothers you when traveling on a boat, going up in an elevator, or making sudden turns of the body, your balance apparatus needs to be trained. Exercises for the vestibular apparatus can be mastered by anyone if desired:

1. Sit on a chair or armchair. Pull forward forefinger and fix your gaze on it. Start turning your head in different directions, gradually increasing the pace.
2. Next exercise: take two cards in your hands, straighten your elbows. It is necessary to alternately focus your gaze on one of the cards, while your head must remain motionless.
3. Stand up, spread your legs, and focus your gaze straight ahead. Start making circular movements with your body. First with a small amplitude, then with a large circle diameter.
4. All exercises for training the vestibular system should be performed daily with several approaches.

Treatment

If imbalances progress and other symptoms are added to the momentary dizziness, gymnastics will not help. Urgently needed drug treatment vestibular vertigo. The choice of drug and method of therapy will depend on the reasons that caused this:

• If damage to the balance apparatus is caused by peripheral polyneuropathy, then diabetes must be treated.
• For paroxysmal vertigo, the ENT specialist chooses a special technique: turns the patient in a certain sequence, the crystals change location, after which an improvement in well-being occurs.
• Treatment of dizziness with Meniere's syndrome cannot be done without effective antihistamines and antiemetic drugs. In addition, the patient definitely needs nutritional correction and special diet.
• Migraines in children can be treated with aspirin, ergotamine, beta blockers and antidepressants.
• If violations occur in retirement age, the doctor may suggest implanting implants that will restore the lost balance.

Folk remedies for dizziness

Along with drug therapy and preventive gymnastics, it is possible to treat the vestibular apparatus folk remedies. For example, make ginger tincture:

1. Take 4 tsp. grated ginger root, mix with a pinch dried mint, fennel seeds, pumpkin seeds, chamomile inflorescences and orange zest.
2. Pour the herbal mixture hot water, let steep for 15 minutes and drink if you experience dizziness, loss of balance, or other signs of systemic disturbances.

In case of persistent dysfunction of the balance apparatus, a balm made from three tinctures helps strengthen a weak body at home:

1. For half a liter of alcohol, take 4 tablespoons of clover inflorescences. Wrap the container with foil and leave for 2 weeks.
2. For the same amount of alcohol, take 5 tbsp. l. Dioscorea root. Insist as in the previous recipe.
3. Fill the propolis with alcohol, put it in dark place. After 10 days, strain the tincture.
4. Mix all three components and take 1 tbsp three times after meals. l.

Video: what the vestibular apparatus is responsible for

Briefly about the structure of the vestibular apparatus. It represents the peripheral part of the vestibular analyzer - the organ of balance, while the overlying nerve pathways, nuclei and cortical nerve cells make up the central section of the analyzer. Vestibular apparatus component The inner ear is located in the temporal bone of the skull, in its densest “stony” part – the pyramid. The inner ear is also called the labyrinth. The labyrinth consists of the auditory section - the cochlea (located anteriorly and inferiorly), the vestibular section - the semicircular canals (back and above) and the vestibule (located between them). In humans, there are three semicircular canals, which look like semicircles, the open ends of which (legs) are, as it were, soldered into the bony wall of the vestibule. The canals are located in three different planes, which is why they got their name - horizontal, frontal and sagittal. The vestibule looks like an elongated ball, and the cochlea really resembles a snail.

The inner ear is connected to the middle ear through two “windows” - oval and round. These windows are not open. Oval window located in the bony wall of the vestibule and covered by the stirrup - one of the three auditory ossicles. The base of the stirrup does not completely cover the window; between it and the walls of the window there is a narrow elastic ligament, thanks to which the stirrup is under the influence sound vibrations easily moves both towards the vestibule (into the inner ear) and towards the tympanic cavity (into the middle ear). Another window (round) is located in the bone capsule of the main (first) curl of the cochlea. This window also does not gape; it is closed by a dense but pliable elastic (secondary) membrane.

Inside the bony labyrinth there is a membranous labyrinth, which, with the exception of the vestibule, completely follows the contours of the bony labyrinth. The space between the walls of the bony and membranous labyrinth is filled with a fluid - perilymph, whose properties are close to the intercellular fluid (blood serum). The membranous labyrinth is a closed space filled with another fluid, endolymph. Endolymph does not have direct contact with perilymph and differs sharply from it in many respects (for example, in the concentration of potassium and sodium ions).

The membranous labyrinth consists of three sections: the semicircular canals, the vestibular sacs and the cochlear duct. All these formations are connected to each other as follows: the semicircular canals have a wide connection with one of the vestibule sacs - the utriculus, and the cochlear duct is connected through a small canaliculus to another vestibule sac - the sacculus. Thin tubules (one from each) extend from the sacculus and utriculus, which immediately merge into one common tubule, ending in an expansion in the form of a bag in the thickness of the dura mater at back wall pyramids of the temporal bone. Unlike endolymphatic confined space the perilymphatic communicates with the cranial cavity (with the subarachnoid space) through its small bone canal. However, this does not mean that the perilymph and cerebrospinal fluid normally have contact. The channel in the pyramid is filled with loose connective tissue, serving as a filter that allows only certain substances one way or the other.

In some diseases of the ear or brain, this barrier can be destroyed, and then fluids mix (perilymph and cerebrospinal fluid), the biochemical composition of which under normal conditions is different.

“Pollution” of the perilymph cerebrospinal fluid may lead to hearing loss. A microbial infection sometimes spreads through this tubule, causing arachnoiditis, meningitis, and brain abscesses.

In a healthy ear, there is a certain balance between the pressure of the endolymphatic and perilymphatic spaces, as well as between the endolymphatic space and the subarachnoid space. This balance ensures the normal tone of the membranous labyrinth, which is very important for the functioning of nerve receptor cells. Changes in pressure (mainly between perilymph and endolymph) can lead to auditory or vestibular disorders.

Most important part The organ of balance are receptor cells located in the membranous part of the semicircular canals of the vestibule sacs. Each bony semicircular canal has an extension at one end of its semicircle - an ampulla, in which receptor cells are located. Clusters of these cells are called cupula (flap). The cupula resembles a flap between the semicircular canals and the utriculus. There are only three of them - one in each ampoule. This structure facilitates easy deviation of cupular hairs in one direction or another at the slightest displacement of the endolymph. Displacement of hairs emerging from nerve cells, is perceived as a signal about the movement of the head or body in space.

In the sacs of the vestibule - the sacculus and utriculus - there are accumulations of another kind of nerve cells that look like a white calcareous speck (macula) and represent the otolithic apparatus. The hairs of nerve cells are immersed in crystals - otoliths (from the Greek “otos” - ear, “cast” - stone), which are washed by endolymph. The otoliths of the sacculus are located in the frontal plane, and the ratio of their position in the right and left labyrinth is 45°. The otoliths of the utriculus are located in the sagittal plane, and in relation to each other (in the right and left ear) - horizontally.

Nerve fibers extending from the nerve cells of the semicircular canals and sacs are collected into nerve bundles and exit through the internal auditory canal along with facial nerve into the cranial cavity - the brain stem. Here they form nuclei - clusters of nerve intermediate cells. There is cross-talk between the vestibular nuclei. With the help of nerve fibers, the nerve cells of the nuclei are connected to the cells spinal cord, cerebellum, reticular formation, thalamus, with nuclei oculomotor nerves, vagus nerve and cerebral cortex (mainly the temporal lobe)...

All nerve pathways coming from receptor cells (from the peripheral part of the organ of balance) are called afferent, carrying a signal "from the periphery to the center. Along with this, there are also efferent connections that transmit nerve impulses from the central parts of the brain to the vestibular receptor. Such a diverse and mutual connection ensures complete balance and maintaining tone skeletal muscles both at rest and during movement (human statics and kinetics). At the same time, this connection in the case of pathology of the labyrinth or with excessive vestibular loads causes the appearance of painful side effects palpitations, nausea, vomiting, involuntary urination and so on.

Vestibular apparatus participates in maintaining the balance necessary for orienting the human body in space. With any change in body position, the receptors of the vestibular apparatus are irritated. The resulting nerve impulses are transmitted to the brain to the appropriate centers.

The vestibular apparatus consists of two parts (Fig. 97): bony vestibule And three semicircular ducts(channels). Located in the bony vestibule and semicircular canals membranous labyrinth, filled with endolymph.

Rice. 97. Structure of the organ of balance:

1 - vestibule, 2 - semicircular canals, 3 - spherical sac, 4 - elliptical sac, 5 - endolymphatic duct, 6 - spot of the spherical sac, 7 - otolithic apparatus, 8 - supporting cells, 9 - sensory hair cell, 10 - statoconia, 11 – statoconia membrane, 12 – lateral semicircular canal, 13 – anterior semicircular canal, 14 – posterior semicircular canal, 15 – ampulla, 16 – ampullary crest, 17 – sensory hair cells, 18 – dome

Between the walls bone cavities and the membranous labyrinth repeating their shape has a slit-like space containing perilymph. The membranous vestibule, shaped like two sacs, communicates with the membranous cochlear duct. Three openings open into the membranous labyrinth of the vestibule membranous semicircular canals - anterior, posterior and lateral, oriented in three mutually perpendicular planes. Front, or superior, semicircular the canal lies in the frontal plane, rear – in the sagittal plane, external – in the horizontal plane. One end of each semicircular canal has an extension - ampoule. On the inner surface of the membranous sacs of the vestibule and the ampoules of the semicircular canals there are areas containing sensitive cells that perceive the position of the body in space and imbalance.

On the inner surface of the membranous sacs there is a complex structure otolith apparatus, dubbed spots(see Fig. 97). The spots, oriented in different planes, consist of clusters of sensitive hair cells. On the surface of these cells, which have hairs, there is a gelatinous statoconia membrane, which contains crystals of calcium carbonate - otoliths, or statoconia. The hairs of the receptor cells are immersed in statoconia membrane.

In the ampoules of the membranous semicircular canals, accumulations of receptor hair cells look like folds, called ampullary scallops. On the hair cells there is a gelatin-like transparent dome that does not have a cavity (see Fig. 97).

Sensitive receptor cells of the sacs and scallops of the ampullae of the semicircular canals are sensitive to any changes in the position of the body in space. Any change in body position causes movement of the gelatinous membrane of the statoconia. This movement is perceived by hair receptor cells, and occurs in them. nerve impulse.

Sensitive cells of the spots of the sacs perceive gravity and vibration vibrations. At normal position The bodies of statoconia press on certain hair cells. When the position of the body changes, statoconia exert pressure on other receptor cells, new nerve impulses arise that enter the brain, into the central sections of the vestibular analyzer. These impulses signal a change in body position. Sensory hair cells in the ampullar ridges generate nerve impulses during various rotational movements of the head. Sensitive cells are excited by the movements of the endolymph located in the membranous semicircular canals. Since the semicircular canals are oriented in three mutually perpendicular planes, any turn of the head will necessarily cause the endolymph to move in one or another canal. Its inertial pressure excites receptor cells. The nerve impulse generated in the receptor hair cells of the macula sacs and ampullar ridges is transmitted to the following neurons, the processes of which form the vestibular (vestibular) nerve. This nerve, together with the auditory nerve, leaves the pyramid of the temporal bone through the internal auditory canal and goes to the vestibular nuclei located in the lateral sections of the pons. The processes of the cells of the vestibular nuclei of the bridge are sent to the cerebellar nuclei, motor nuclei of the brain and motor nuclei of the spinal cord. As a result, in response to stimulation of the vestibular receptors, the tone of the skeletal muscles reflexively changes, and the position of the head and the entire body changes in the required direction.

Vestibular apparatus, speaking in simple words, not only keeps us on our two legs, but is also responsible for how we see. Thanks to it, the image is fixed on the retina - and this makes it possible to visualize an object even while walking or running. In addition, this organ is an internal compass: it provides orientation in any space.

What is the vestibular apparatus, where is it located and how does it work normally?

The main purpose of the section of the vestibular system under consideration– keeping the body in an upright position, maintaining balance while moving, the ability to focus the gaze and keep the head in a stable position, the ability to navigate in space.

The vestibular apparatus collects and analyzes information about the position of the torso, head, upper and lower limbs and sends the necessary information to the brain. This ensures a prompt response to any, even the slightest, external irritants. This allows the blind person to remain on his feet and also navigate in unknown terrain.

The vestibular apparatus is endowed with small dimensions, and is localized in the inner ear. Its main components are 3 channels, which have a semicircular shape, and 2 pouches. The channels are filled with a viscous liquid, which, when the head or body rotates, begins to move, transmitting corresponding impulses to the central nervous system. The sacs contain otolith lenses, which, through mechanoreceptors, transmit information to the brain about horizontal/vertical movement.

The center of the vestibular system is located in the medulla oblongata. It is there that information about all changes in relation to equilibrium is received. After receiving such signals, the brain immediately sends instructions to the relevant organs: move the arm/leg to the left, tilt the body, etc.

Disturbances in the functioning of the vestibular apparatus affects a person’s ability to coordinate movements, maintain an upright position, and focus their gaze. This can harm the health and even life of not only the patient, but also those around him.

For example, if such a disorder suddenly develops in a driver vehicle, - an accident will certainly occur, during which other people may suffer.

One more a shining example is a surgeon whose functioning of the balance apparatus was impaired at the time of the procedure surgical intervention, - this can cost the patient’s life.

Video: Organ of balance, vestibular apparatus, inner ear

Causes of dysfunction of the vestibular apparatus in adults and children

There are many factors that can cause disruptions in the functioning of the organ responsible for balance:

1. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, the exact etiology of which is currently unknown. There is an assumption that this pathological condition can arise from injuries, in postoperative period, and also in the background respiratory infections. It is often diagnosed after crossing the 60-year mark. The main manifestation of this disease is dizziness with a sudden change in body position, nausea.
2. Blocking the lumen of the labyrinthine artery. This phenomenon negatively affects the blood supply to the brain and can cause oxygen starvation or cerebral hemorrhage. In addition to the standard symptoms associated with disruption of the balance apparatus, patients experience a marked deterioration in hearing abilities. Lack of timely and adequate medical events may cause the death of the patient.
3. Signs of vertebrobasilar insufficiency. This syndrome may be a consequence of dysfunction vestibular nerve, and also develop against the background cerebellar stroke, or vascular ischemia inner ear. When adjacent sections of the trunk are involved in the degenerative process, patients complain of double vision, frequent falls, slurred speech, numbness in the arms and legs. Distinctive feature symptoms of the subject pathological condition is short-term. If negative phenomena have been present for several months, the doctor needs to reconsider the diagnosis.
4. Vestibular neuronitis. The most common cause of vestibular system and/or vestibular nerve dysfunction. Trigger Infection of the body with influenza virus, herpes, etc. may contribute to the development of the disease in question. The patient experiences such severe dizziness that he is forced to support his head. The same condition provokes vomiting several times a day. The symptomatic picture is complemented by spontaneous horizontal rotary nystagmus. The considered symptom complex manifests itself in active form the first 3-4 days, after which the patient’s condition improves, but full recovery takes several weeks.
5. Bilateral vestibulopathy of a chronic nature. Some doctors put forward a theory about the hereditary nature of the pathological condition in question. However, the main cause of the development of this disease is poisoning by certain medicines which have an ototoxic effect. Timely discontinuation of such drugs can resuscitate the vestibular system.
6. Meniere's syndrome. This pathology is paroxysmal in nature. Patients complain about loud noises, congestion in the ear, decreased hearing ability, and severe dizziness. The attack usually lasts a couple of minutes, after which the symptoms regress over several hours/days. At sharp increase pressure in the inner ear can drop while remaining conscious and without showing signs of any neurological disorders. This disease dangerous possible total loss hearing
7. (incl. birth injuries) with a violation of the integrity of the temporal bone and/or injury to the labyrinth.
8. Basilar migraine. It has a paroxysmal nature - and, most often, worries girls in puberty. Often such patients complain of motion sickness while in transport.
9. Tumor-like processes in the area of ​​the cerebellopontine angle. The pathology in question is rare, but can still cause disruptions in the functioning of the vestibular apparatus. Dizziness is often not observed, but problems with coordination of movements exist. In addition, there may be hearing errors.
10. Craniovertebral defects, which negatively affects the vestibular organ. This pathology can be recognized by the patient’s problems with speech, swallowing, and also by uncontrolled movement eyeballs.
11. Epileptic seizure, during which short-term dysfunction of the balance apparatus is observed. In parallel with this, vomiting, visual hallucinations, and excessive salivation may be present.
12. Unstable blood pressure readings.
13. Multiple sclerosis, in which destructive processes affect, incl. vestibulocochlear nerve.
14. Some ailments of the hearing aid:
    — Blockage ear canal sulfur plug.
    — Dysfunction eustachian tube, which serves as a link between the pharynx and inner ear. Such a violation can be caused allergic reactions, injury to a polyp or temporomandibular joint.
    — Sclerotic changes in the bone structure of the inner ear.
    - Otitis, occurring in acute form and accompanied by the accumulation of purulent masses.

Cause disruptions in work vestibular organ Maybe long stay indoors with loud sounds, vibrations.

Signs and symptoms of vestibular damage and dysfunction

The entire symptom complex of the disease in question is divided into two groups:

1. Main symptoms. Every patient with dysfunction of the vestibular apparatus has complaints of dizziness, and nystagmus is also observed. The head may become so dizzy that the person is unable to move. When the eyelids are closed, everything “jumps” before the eyes, and sudden movements head significantly intensifies this symptom.
2. Associated symptoms. Not everyone has them, and they have varying degrees expressiveness. These include:
   - Vomiting.
   - Change in color of the skin of the face, neck and décolleté to pale or red.
   — Increased sweating and/or salivation.
   - pain inside the ear or in the temple area.
   - Inability to navigate in space and maintain balance. It is difficult for the patient to walk along a straight line, he stumbles, collides with objects that are in his way, and tries to find a foothold.
   - Difficulty swallowing food and speaking.
   - Rapid breathing.
   - Hallucinations.

The following points indicate that a child has a weak vestibular apparatus:

• Reluctance to ride on carousels, swings and slides.
• An urgent need to hold on to the handrail when riding an escalator. The child reluctantly agrees to ride the elevator.
• Difficulty riding a bicycle or jumping.
• Inability to maintain balance while standing on one leg.
• Fear of falling, even from a small hill. Easy loss of balance, especially on hilly surfaces.

The vestibular apparatus is part of the vestibular analyzer, a kind of navigation system that has great importance for the quality of human life.

By determining the position of the human body in space, regulating the “awareness” of the body’s position with each step, bending, turning and being responsible for the sense of balance, the vestibular system is involved in our ability to move no less than bones, joints and muscles.

Structure of the vestibular apparatus

At its core, the human vestibular system is a gyroscope, in which the slightest change in the angle of the head sets in motion special receptors that detect these changes.

The ampoules of the semicircular canals located in the temporal bone are filled special liquid, endolymph, with otoliths immersed in it - calcareous formations. When tilting or turning the head and body, the endolymph shifts, “splashes” in the channels, setting the otoliths in motion.

Otoliths, in turn, irritate sensitive hairs - ciliated cells. These hairs are part of nerve cells, which, with each vibration of the hairs, receive a signal about changes in the position of the body in space and transmit the signal further along nerve fibers into the brain.

The area of ​​the brain responsible for balance returns this signal to the muscles, stimulating their tone ( motor activity) or a state of rest to achieve a stable body position.

Some semblance of the functions of the vestibular apparatus can be observed by observing a glass of water. When you tilt the glass to the side, the vessel takes the position you need, but the water level remains invariably parallel to the ground. The only difference is that the water level is regulated by gravity, and your position in space is regulated by vestibular functions.

Unfortunately, this precise, complex and efficient system may be subject to temporary or permanent negative impacts: for a vestibular apparatus disorder to occur, a malfunction in any of the structures is sufficient. Let's look at the most common diseases that can affect the vestibular system and the main methods of treating them.

Diseases of the vestibular apparatus

Almost all diseases of the vestibular system are accompanied by dizziness and loss of coordination of movements, but the cause of these symptoms can be a variety of ailments.

Vestibular neuritis

This disease is the most common disorder of the vestibular system, which is diagnosed in patients of all ages, occupations and lifestyles.

Causes: infection with herpes (chickenpox, shingles and other diseases caused by the herpes virus serve as a provoking factor).

Symptoms:

• a gradually increasing feeling of dizziness, which can occur without any connection with body movements;
• attacks of nausea and vomiting that begin with dizziness;
• sudden movements of the eyeballs (nystagmus) - the pupils of both eyes begin to move quickly from side to side and/or in a circle.

Treatment: most often, symptoms persist for several weeks, after which they go away on their own. In some cases, with accompanying herpetic infections, antiviral therapy is prescribed.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)

The next most common disease is the vestibular apparatus, which occurs in connection with pathologies of the inner ear and violations of the hydromechanical principles of the vestibular system.

Causes: BPPV is most often observed in patients in the postoperative period, those who have suffered a traumatic brain injury and people over 60 years of age. This indicates circulatory disorders in the brain (after anesthesia during surgery, head injury and age-related changes in the vessels) as a provoking factor.

Symptoms:

• short-term attacks of dizziness, lasting from a few seconds to 3-5 minutes;
• attacks of dizziness occur when the position of the head changes ( flip flop or tilting, throwing the head back, etc.);
• During dizziness, involuntary circular movements of the eyeballs are observed (as when tracking a rotating object).

Treatment: most often prescribed special exercises, designed to move particles that irritate the ciliated cells to another part of the inner ear. IN extreme cases, for persistent and severe dizziness that cannot be treated, surgical intervention may be performed.

Meniere's disease

With this disease of the vestibular apparatus, the volume of fluid in the labyrinth (one of the structures of the inner ear) increases, with a subsequent increase in pressure in this area.

Causes:

1. acute and chronic allergic reactions;
2. diseases and conditions that impair water-salt metabolism(endocrine and metabolic disorders);
3. vascular pathologies;
4. viral infections, including syphilis;
5. congenital disorders of the structure of the inner ear.

Symptoms:

• prolonged attacks of dizziness that occur for no apparent reason;
• dizziness is accompanied by noise and ringing in the ears;
• with a long course of the disease, movement coordination disorders and difficulties maintaining balance are observed;
• nausea and vomiting;
• gradual decrease in hearing acuity.

Treatment: Treatment is aimed at eliminating the cause of Meniere's disease. As independent therapy, diuretics, antihistamines, and hormonal drugs are used to alleviate the patient’s condition, help normalize pressure in the labyrinth and optimize fluid exchange in it.

Intoxication

Various substances ( medications, household and industrial chemicals) can have a toxic effect on nervous system a person, including his vestibular apparatus.

Depending on which group the toxin belongs to, it can disrupt the functions of the vestibular, auditory nerve or any nerve that is responsible for transmitting forward or backward signals between the brain and the inner ear.

Symptoms of intoxication affecting the vestibular apparatus:

• dizziness, attacks of nausea and/or vomiting are always time-bound to the start of taking any drug, being in an environmentally unfavorable environment, or inhaling fumes chemical substances etc.;
• in addition to dizziness, you may experience visual disturbances (dark spots in the eyes, double image, blurred vision, etc.).

Treatment: since clinical picture, the severity of the disease and the danger to health depend on the type of toxin affecting the body, treatment is prescribed strictly individually, based on the medical history, the patient’s condition and the expected risks that intoxication entails.

Important: intoxication with chemical or biological substances can cause not only hearing loss, but also fatal outcome. If you have any symptoms that appear after contact with poisonous or harmful substances, you must immediately consult a doctor or call an emergency ambulance.