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| Your physician has
recommended that testing be performed on your
balance system. Please read and follow the
guidelines in preparation for your testing. |
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| Your appointment is
scheduled on _____________________________ at
_________________. |
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| Women are asked to
wear pants or shorts for testing. Gentlemen are
asked to wear loose fitting clothes for comfort
during testing. |
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| Please refrain from
wearing any skin lotions, moisturizing creams,
makeup, mascara etc., on your face the day of the
testing. |
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| Certain substances
influence the body's response to the tests,
therefore, for the
MEDICATIONS FOR THE CONTROL OF NAUSEA OR
DIZZINESS, ALCOHOL, TRANQUILIZERS, SLEEPING PILLS,
COLD REMEDIES, ASPIRIN, TYLENOL, ETC. PLEASE REFER
TO THE ATTACHED SHEET FOR SPECIFIC MEDICATIONS.
If you are taking a medication that is not on this
list and have any question, please call our office. |
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| A) Visual
observation of various stationary or moving lights
or stripes. |
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| B) Placement of the
patient in various head and body positions to
determine if such maneuvers create dizziness. |
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| C) Stimulating the
balance system of the inner ears by placing small
balloons into the ears and inflating them with cool
and warm water. |
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| A variety of eye,
head, and body movements are recorded during these
procedures. The devices used to measure these
movements (surface skin electrodes, etc.) are
neither dangerous nor painful. |
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| 1. What does this
testing look at? |
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| Balance testing
evaluates parts of the body that help maintain
balance, including the brain, central nervous
system, visual input, proprioception and the inner
ear function. |
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| 2. Will the test
hurt? Will it make me dizzy? |
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| Your balance testing
will not be painful. Since we are evaluating the
balance system, portions of the testing may cause
you to experience dizziness. Dizziness produced
during balance testing is usually not severe and
does not usually last an extended period of time. |
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| 3. Will I be able to
drive after I am finished with my testing? |
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| Patients usually
have no difficulty driving after testing. If you are
extremely dizzy, or question your ability to drive,
please have someone come with you who will be able
to drive in the event you are unable. |
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| 4. Why must I stay
off certain medications prior to my testing? |
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| Certain medications
may affect the results of the testing and should
therefore be avoided for at least 48 hours prior to
your testing. All forms of alcohol should be avoided
for the same period of time. Under certain
conditions, the doctor may allow certain medicines
up to 24 hours prior to testing, but this may
compromise the results. |
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| 5. Why am I having
several different tests run on my balance system? |
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| Each test performed
provides a piece to a puzzle. There are several
different portions to the balance system. Some
portions test the inner ear/eye reflexes and others
test the inner ear/spinal reflexes. Usually, several
tests are necessary to correctly diagnose a problem. |
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| 6. How long will the
testing take? |
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| The length of your
testing will depend on which examination the doctor
is requesting you have run. Testing can take
anywhere from 30 minutes to 1? hours total. |
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| 7. What are the
results of my balance testing? |
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| Patients often ask
for test results as testing is being performed. Your
testing must be completed in full prior to reaching
a conclusion as to your results. Test results are
unavailable during testing procedures. |
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| 8. May family
members be present during my testing? |
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| Family members are
not allowed in testing rooms while patients are
being tested. The only exception to this will be one
parent present while a child is being tested. Your
cooperation is appreciated. |
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| If you have any
questions regarding your testing, please contact our
office. We will be happy to help you. |
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| The following is a
guideline for taking medications prior to Vestibular
(Balance) testing. It is necessary to avoid certain
medications 48 hours prior to testing to produce
accurate test results. |
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| Sleeping pills |
Heart medicine |
| Aspirin, Tylenol |
Diabetes medicine |
| Antihistamines |
Thyroid medicine |
| Cough medicine |
Blood pressure medicine |
| Alcoholic beverages |
Seizure medicine |
| Pain medication |
Birth control pills |
| Muscle relaxers |
Any antibiotic |
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Vitamins |
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Diuretics |
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| Antivert |
Hismanal |
| Bonine |
Meclizine |
| Dalmane |
Midrin |
| Diazepam |
Pamelor |
| Dramamine |
Phenergan |
| Elavil |
Prozac |
| Entex |
Seldane |
| Entex LA |
Transderm Scop (patch) |
| Feldene |
Valium |
| Entex LA |
Transderm Scop (patch) |
| Fiorinal |
Xanax |
| Entex LA |
Vontrol |
| Halcion |
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| *You
are allowed to eat prior to the test, but we suggest
you eat light. |
