Glossary

Anemia: Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin to carry oxygen to your organs and tissues. Having anemia can cause tiredness, weakness, and shortness of breath.
Anonymized: Anonymized means that personal details are removed from information or records. This helps protect a person’s privacy because the information can no longer be traced back to them.
Anticholinergics: Anticholinergics are medicines that block certain nerve signals in the body. They may help with nausea, motion sickness, dizziness, or vertigo, but they can cause dry mouth, blurry vision, sleepiness, or trouble peeing.
Antiemetics: Antiemetics are medicines that help reduce nausea and vomiting. They may be used when someone feels sick to their stomach from dizziness, motion sickness, illness, or medical treatments.
Antihistamines: Antihistamines are medicines that help block the body’s reaction to allergies. They may help with sneezing, itching, runny nose, nausea, motion sickness, or dizziness. Some can make people sleepy.
Aspirin: Aspirin is a medicine that may help with pain, fever, and swelling. Some people also take it to help lower the risk of blood clots, but it should only be used as directed by a provider.
Assistive Device: An assistive device is a tool that helps a person move, walk, hear, see, or do daily activities more safely and easily. Examples include a cane, walker, wheelchair, hearing aid, or grab bar.
Audiogram: An audiogram is a chart that shows the results of a hearing test. It shows the softest sounds you can hear at different pitches. The chart helps providers see if there is hearing loss, what type it may be, and how mild or severe it is.
Autoimmune: An autoimmune disease/disorder happens when the body’s immune system attacks healthy parts of the body by mistake.

Barotrauma: Barotrauma is an injury caused by a sudden change in pressure. In the ear, this may cause ear pain, fullness, hearing changes, dizziness, or ringing.
Benign: Benign means not cancerous and not life-threatening.
Benzodiazepines: Benzodiazepines are medicines that calm the brain and nervous system. They may be used for anxiety, seizures, muscle spasms, or severe dizziness, but they can cause sleepiness and should only be used as directed by a provider.
Beta Blockers: Beta blockers are medicines that help slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure. They may be used for heart problems, high blood pressure, anxiety symptoms, or migraine prevention.
Brain Fog: Brain fog means your thinking feels cloudy or slow. It may be harder to focus, remember things, find words, or think clearly.

Calcium Channel Blockers: Calcium channel blockers are medicines that help relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure. They may be used for heart problems, high blood pressure, or migraine prevention.
Caloric Test: A caloric test is a vestibular test that checks how each inner ear balance system is working. Warm or cool air or water is placed in the ear canal to gently test the inner ear and eye movement response.
Carbamazepine: Carbamazepine is a prescription medicine that calms overactive electrical signals in the brain and nerves. It is used to treat seizures and some types of nerve pain.
Cardiovascular: Cardiovascular means related to the heart and blood vessels. These parts of the body help move blood and oxygen throughout the body.
Carotid Sinus Massage Tests: A carotid sinus massage test is a medical test done by a trained provider. The provider gently presses on a spot in the neck to see if it changes the heart rate or blood pressure. It may help check for certain causes of fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
Cervicogenic: Cervicogenic means coming from the neck.
CGRP medicines: CGRP medicines are medicines used to help prevent or treat migraine. CGRP is a chemical in the body that can play a role in migraine pain. These medicines help block CGRP or its effects.
Clonazepam: Clonazepam is a medicine that calms the brain and nervous system. It may be used for seizures, anxiety, or severe dizziness, but it can cause sleepiness and should only be used as directed by a provider. It can sometimes be called Klonopin, which is a brand name.
Cochlear Implant: A cochlear implant is a small electronic device that helps some people with severe hearing loss hear sounds. It sends sound signals directly to the hearing nerve when the inner ear cannot do this well on its own.
Congenital: Congenital means a condition or trait is present at birth. It may be passed down from family, or it may happen while a baby is developing before birth.
Convergence Insufficiency: Convergence insufficiency is an eye-teaming problem. It happens when the eyes have trouble turning inward together to focus on something up close, like a book or phone.
CoQ10: CoQ10 stands for coenzyme Q10. It is a substance your body makes naturally to help cells make energy. Some providers may recommend it as a supplement to help with migraines.
Cranial: Related to the skull or the parts of the body inside the skull, such as the brain and certain nerves.
CT Scan: A CT scan is a medical test that uses X-rays and a computer to take detailed pictures inside the body. It can help doctors look at bones, blood vessels, organs, and other tissues.

Dehydration: Dehydration means your body does not have enough water or fluids. This can make you feel thirsty, tired, dizzy, weak, or lightheaded.
Diazepam: Diazepam is a medicine that calms the brain and nervous system. It may be used for anxiety, muscle spasms, seizures, or severe dizziness, but it can cause sleepiness and should only be used as directed by a provider. It is sometimes called Valium, which is a brand name.
Differential Diagnosis: A differential diagnosis is a list of possible health problems that could be causing a person’s symptoms. A provider uses the exam, health history, and test results to narrow the list and find the most likely cause.
Dimenhydrinate: Dimenhydrinate is a medicine that may help with motion sickness, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or vertigo. It can make some people sleepy, so it should be used as directed by a provider. It is sometimes called Dramamine, which is a brand name.
Diphenhydramine: Diphenhydramine is a medicine that may be used for allergies, itching, sleep, nausea, or motion sickness. It can make some people very sleepy, so it should be used as directed by a provider. It is sometimes called Benadryl, which is a brand name.
Disorientation: Disorientation means feeling confused about where you are, what time it is, what is happening, or how to move safely.
Diuretic: A diuretic is a medicine that helps the body get rid of extra salt and water through pee. It is sometimes called a water pill.
Diuretics: Diuretics are medicines that help the body get rid of extra salt and water through pee. They are sometimes called water pills and may be used for blood pressure, swelling, or certain inner ear conditions. One example is hydrochlorothiazide.

Electrocochleography: Electrocochleography is a hearing test that measures electrical signals from the inner ear and hearing nerve. It can help providers check how the inner ear is working, especially when symptoms include hearing changes, ear fullness, tinnitus, or dizziness.
Endolymph: Endolymph is a special fluid inside the inner ear. It helps tiny hearing and balance sensors work correctly. When this fluid moves or changes, it helps send signals to the brain about sound, head movement, and balance.
ENT: ENT stands for ear, nose, and throat. ENT doctors will treat conditions related to these body parts. They can also be called otolaryngologists.
Eye-teaming Problems: Eye-teaming problems happen when both eyes do not work together as well as they should. This can make it harder to focus, read, track moving objects, or judge distance.

Gentamicin: Gentamicin is an antibiotic medicine used to treat some infections. It can also be used to treat Ménière’s disease, hearing loss, and other inner ear issues.

Homeopathic Supplements: Homeopathic supplements are alternative health products made from very small amounts of natural substances. They are not the same as standard medicines. Talk with a provider before using them, especially if you take other medicines.

Imbalance: Imbalance means feeling unsteady or like you might lose your balance. It can make standing, walking, or turning feel harder or less safe.

Lesions: Lesions are areas of damaged or changed tissue in the body.
Lorazepam: Lorazepam is a medicine that calms the brain and nervous system by slowing down brain activity. It may be used for anxiety, sleep problems, seizures, or severe dizziness, but it can cause sleepiness and should only be used as directed by a provider. It is sometimes called Ativan, which is a brand name.

Magnesium: Magnesium is a mineral your body needs to work well. It helps with muscles, nerves, heart rhythm, and bone health.
Meclizine: Meclizine is a medicine that may help reduce dizziness, vertigo, nausea, or motion sickness. It can make some people feel sleepy, so it should be used as directed by a provider. It is sometimes called Antivert, which is a brand name.
Melatonin: Melatonin is a hormone your body makes to help control your sleep and wake cycle. It can be taken in supplement form to help with sleep.
Membrane: A membrane is a thin layer of tissue that covers, lines, or separates parts of the body. Some membranes help protect organs or control what can pass through.
Motion Sensitivity: Motion sensitivity means feeling dizzy, sick, or uncomfortable when you move or when things around you move. This can happen with car rides, busy places, scrolling screens, or quick head movements.
MRI: MRI stands for "Magnetic Resonance Imaging." It is a medical test that uses a strong magnet and radio waves to take detailed pictures inside the body. It can help doctors look at the brain, nerves, inner ear, organs, and other tissues.
MSG: MSG stands for monosodium glutamate. It is a food additive used to make foods taste more savory. It is often found in packaged foods, seasonings, and some restaurant foods.

Nausea: Nausea is the sick feeling in your stomach that makes you feel like you might throw up.
Neck Arthritis: Neck arthritis means wear, swelling, or stiffness in the joints of the neck. It can cause neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and sometimes dizziness or balance problems.
Neurologic: Neurologic means related to the brain, spinal cord, or nerves. These parts of the body help control movement, feeling, balance, thinking, and other body functions.
Neurological: Neurological means related to the brain, spinal cord, or nerves. These parts of the body help control movement, feeling, balance, thinking, and other body functions.
Neurovascular Cross-Compression: Neurovascular cross-compression means a blood vessel is pressing on or irritating a nerve. When this affects a balance nerve, it may cause short episodes of dizziness or vertigo.
Non-invasive: Non-invasive means a test or treatment does not cut into the body or go inside the body.
NSAIDs: NSAIDs are medicines that help reduce pain, fever, and swelling. NSAID stands for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Common examples include ibuprofen and naproxen.
Nystagmus: Nystagmus is a condition where the eyes make quick, repeated movements that you cannot fully control.

Ondansetron: Ondansetron is a medicine that helps reduce nausea and vomiting. It is often used after surgery, during illness, or with some medical treatments. It is sometimes called Zofran, which is a brand name.
Ototoxicity: Ototoxicity means inner ear damage caused by certain medicines or chemicals. It can lead to hearing loss, ringing in the ears, dizziness, or balance problems.
Oxcarbazepine: Oxcarbazepine is a prescription medicine that calms overactive electrical signals in the brain and nerves. It is used to treat seizures and may also be prescribed for certain types of nerve pain.

Pharmacologic: Pharmacologic means related to medicine or drugs.
Prochlorperazine: Prochlorperazine is a medicine that may help reduce nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or vertigo. It can make some people sleepy or restless, so it should be used as directed by a provider. It is sometimes called Compazine, which is a brand name.
Promethazine: Promethazine is a medicine that may help reduce nausea, vomiting, motion sickness, allergies, or dizziness. It can make some people very sleepy, so it should be used as directed by a provider. It is sometimes called Phenergan, which is a brand name.
Proprioception: Proprioception is your body’s sense of position and movement. It helps you know where your body parts are without having to look.

Quinine: Quinine is a medicine used to treat malaria. It can also be found in small amounts in tonic water. In some people, quinine can cause side effects like ringing in the ears, hearing changes, dizziness, or nausea.

Rheumatologist: A rheumatologist is a doctor who finds and treats autoimmune diseases, which happen when the immune system attacks healthy parts of the body. They also treat problems with the joints, muscles, and bones, such as arthritis.
Riboflavin: Riboflavin is vitamin B2. It helps the body turn food into energy and supports healthy cells. Some providers may recommend it as part of a migraine prevention plan.

Scopolamine: Scopolamine is a medicine that may help prevent nausea, vomiting, and motion sickness. It is often used as a skin patch placed behind the ear. It should be used as directed by a provider.
Sensorineural: Sensorineural means related to the inner ear or hearing nerve. Sensorineural hearing loss happens when the inner ear or hearing nerve is damaged or not working well.
SSRIs or SNRIs: SSRIs and SNRIs are groups of medicines that affect brain chemicals linked to mood and stress. They are often used for anxiety or depression, and may also be used for some long-lasting dizziness conditions.
Steroids: Steroids are medicines that can lower swelling and inflammation in the body. They may be used for many health problems, but they should only be taken as directed by a provider.

Temporal Bone: The temporal bone is a bone on the side of the skull near the ear. It helps protect parts of the ear, including the inner ear, which is important for hearing and balance.
Tinnitus: Tinnitus is hearing a sound when no outside sound is actually there. It may sound like ringing, buzzing, humming, or whooshing in one or both ears.
Tumor: A tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue in the body. A tumor may be cancerous or noncancerous.

Vertigo: Vertigo is the feeling that you are moving, or that the room is moving, even when you are still.
Vestibular Dysfunction: Vestibular dysfunction means the balance system is not working as well as it should. This may cause dizziness, vertigo, imbalance, motion sensitivity, or trouble keeping vision steady.
Vestibular Nerve: The vestibular nerve carries messages from the inner ear to the brain. These messages help your brain know where your head is and help you stay steady.
Vestibular Problems: Vestibular problems are problems with the body’s balance system, which includes the inner ear, balance nerves, and brain.
Vestibular System: The vestibular system is your body’s balance system. It includes parts of the inner ear and brain that help you know how your head and body are moving. It helps you keep your balance, keep your eyes steady when you move, and feel where you are in space.
Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex: The vestibulo-ocular reflex is a reflex that helps keep your vision steady and clear when your head moves. It lets your eyes move in the opposite direction of your head, so things do not look blurry or jumpy.
Vitamin D3: Vitamin D3 is a form of vitamin D. It helps the body absorb calcium and supports bone, muscle, nerve, and immune system health.

Whiplash: Whiplash is a neck injury that happens when the head moves quickly forward and backward. It can happen after a car accident, fall, or sports injury and may cause neck pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, or balance problems.