[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 12, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1238-E1239]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     SUPPORT BALANCE AWARENESS WEEK

                                  _____
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 12, 2018

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in 
support of my resolution in support of Balance Awareness Week and the 
related vestibular disorders.
  The vestibular system includes the parts of the inner ear and brain 
that process the sensory information involved with controlling balance 
and eye movements.

[[Page E1239]]

  As many as 35 percent of adults aged 40 years or older in the United 
States--approximately 69 million Americans--have experienced some form 
of vestibular dysfunction. According to the National Institute on 
Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), a further 4 percent 
(8 million) of American adults report a chronic problem with balance, 
while an additional 1.1 percent (2.4 million) report a chronic problem 
with dizziness. Eighty percent of people aged 65 years and older have 
experienced dizziness, and BPPV, the most common vestibular disorder, 
is the cause of approximately 50 percent of dizziness in older people. 
Overall, vertigo from a vestibular problem accounts for one third of 
all dizziness and vertigo symptoms reported to health care 
professionals.
  The most commonly diagnosed vestibular disorders include benign 
paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), labyrinthitis and vestibular 
neuritis, Meniere's disease, secondary endolymphatic hydrops, and 
perilymph fistula. Vestibular disorders also include superior canal 
dehiscence, acoustic neuroma, ototoxicity, enlarged vestibular aqueduct 
syndrome, and mal de debarquement. Other problems related to vestibular 
dysfunction include vestibular migraine and complications from 
autoimmune disorders and allergies.
  There is no cure for this disorder. The form of treatment prescribed 
for vestibular disorders depends upon symptoms, medical history and 
general health, a physical examination by a qualified doctor, and 
diagnostic test results. Treatment can include: vestibular 
rehabilitation therapy, canalith repositioning maneuvers, home-based 
exercise, dietary adjustments, counseling, medication or surgery.
  Because of difficulties posed by accurately diagnosing and reporting 
vestibular disorders, statistics estimating how common they are, how 
often they occur, and what social impacts they have range widely. Yet 
even the lowest estimates reflect the fact that vestibular disorders 
occur frequently and can affect people of any age.
  Vestibular disorders not only profoundly affect adults, but also 
children. Once thought to be exceptionally rare, pediatric vestibular 
disorders are receiving increasing attention from clinicians as an 
overlooked problem. In addition to impairments of motor development and 
balance, vestibular deficits may cause poor gaze stability that 
inhibits children from learning to read. Despite new awareness of 
pediatric vestibular disorders, children are currently not typically 
screened for them, and as a result frequently fail to receive medical 
treatment for their symptoms.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Members to join me in supporting the 
third week of September as Balance Awareness Week.

                          ____________________