Balance Problems

Overview

Balance problems include a wide range of symptoms, from dizziness to light-headedness. Your muscles, bones and joints (musculoskeletal system), visual senses, hearing, central nervous system, and blood and heart vessels (cardiovascular system) must work normally for you to have normal balance. When these areas aren't functioning well, you may experience balance problem symptoms. Most balance problems result from problems in your inner ear (vestibular system). Also, many medical conditions can cause balance problems. Read about types of balance problems.

Why choose Mayo Clinic for balance problems

• Experience. Mayo Clinic doctors diagnose and treat thousands of people for balance problems each year.
• Diagnosis capabilities. Mayo Clinic offers the latest diagnostic tests to help identify the cause of your balance problem. Mayo Clinic is one of few medical centers in the country to offer comprehensive testing in state-of-the-art vestibular and balance laboratories.
• Team approach. A team of doctors trained in ear, nose and throat conditions (ENT doctors), hearing conditions (audiologists), brain and nervous system conditions (neurologists), brain and nervous system surgery (neurosurgeons), mental health conditions (psychiatrists and psychologists), physical medicine and rehabilitation (physiatrists), and physical therapists work together to identify the source of your balance problem. Your team will discuss treatment options with you and recommend a treatment approach for you.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., is ranked among the Best Hospitals for ear, nose and throat by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., is ranked high performing for ear, nose and throat by U.S. News & World Report.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., is ranked among the Best Hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., are ranked high performing for neurology and neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report.

Mayo Clinic: Answers you can trust

At Mayo Clinic, we assemble a team of specialists who take the time to listen and thoroughly understand your health issues and concerns. We tailor the care you receive to your personal health care needs. You can trust our specialists to collaborate and offer you the best possible outcomes, safety and service.

Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical institution that reinvests all earnings into improving medical practice, research and education. We're constantly involved in innovation and medical research, finding solutions to improve your care and quality of life. Your doctor or someone on your medical team is likely involved in research related to your condition.

Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care — and trusted answers — like they've never experienced.

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