Loss of balance is a symptom of both Ménière's disease and lupus. However, dizziness and spinning sensation (vertigo) that may cause loss of balance are hallmark signs of Ménière's disease while loss of balance is an uncommon symptom of lupus.
AIED also causes balance problems for about 1 in 2 people who have it. In most cases of AIED, only the ears are affected. This is known as primary AIED. But sometimes, AIED happens as part of another autoimmune disease that affects the rest of the body as well.
These include central nervous system demyelinating disorders such as multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica, paraneoplastic, and other autoimmune encephalomyelitis and autoimmune inflammatory myositis and demyelinating neuropathies.
Autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED), is a rare disease that happens when your body's immune system mistakenly attacks your inner ear. It can cause dizziness, ringing in your ears, and hearing loss.
The most common of these is multiple sclerosis (MS). There are several other inflammatory disorders of the nervous system that need specialized care. At Mount Sinai, we have the expertise, experience, and resources to diagnose and treat these conditions.
Some common autoimmune diseases, including Type 1 diabetes mellitus, are relatively easy to diagnose, while others, such as vasculitis, Addison's disease, lupus, and other rheumatic diseases, are more difficult.
1. Headache. Headaches are one of the most common neurological disorders—and there are a variety of different kinds of headaches, such as migraines, cluster headaches, and tension headaches.
Another lupus symptom may be a loss of balance. “Right before I was diagnosed, I started having equilibrium problems,” says Paul Rosenthal, 58, a physical therapist from Ashland, OR.
The main feature in autoimmune vertigo is the presence of an abnormal immune response, in either absence or presence of systemic autoimmune disease, directed against delicate components of the inner ear.
Your body makes thyroid antibodies when your immune system mistakenly attacks your thyroid gland in an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Changes in the endolymph fluid can alter the flow. Thus causing vertigo.
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which antibodies destroy the communication between nerves and muscle, resulting in weakness of the skeletal muscles. Myasthenia gravis affects the voluntary muscles of the body, especially those that control the eyes, mouth, throat and limbs.
Sarcoidosis is another inflammatory autoimmune disease that shares some symptoms with MS, including fatigue and decreased vision. But sarcoidosis most commonly affects the lungs, lymph nodes, and skin, causing a cough or wheezing, swollen lymph nodes, and lumps, sores, or areas of discoloration on the skin.
Neurologist With Experience in Treating Autoimmune Disorders
These specialists can also offer expertise in seronegative autoimmune neurologic cases, which are particularly challenging.
What causes balance disorders? Causes of balance problems include medications, ear infection, a head injury, or anything else that affects the inner ear or brain. Low blood pressure can lead to dizziness when you stand up too quickly.
Neurological conditions: Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease are examples of medical conditions that may affect your sense of balance. Cardiovascular disease: Heart issues may make you feel faint, lightheaded or dizzy and affect your balance.
Symptoms of autoimmune encephalitis
The early phase of the disease may include flu-like symptoms, such as headache, fever, nausea and muscle pain. Psychiatric symptoms may appear, disappear and reappear. Later symptoms may be more severe, such as a lower level of consciousness and possible coma.
Cogan syndrome is a rare multisystem autoimmune disease affecting the ocular and audiovestibular system with unknown pathogenesis. It occurs mainly in young white adults in the third decade of life as they present with interstitial keratitis and hearing loss.
Understanding Autoimmune Brain Disease
Psychiatric symptoms may include severe depression and hallucinations, as well as paranoid, obsessive, or erratic behavior. There are several types of autoimmune brain diseases. Diagnosing which one your child has is often the first step.
lupus psychosis. It is described as delusions or hallucinations. About 12 percent of lupus patients experience it. A few more little-known symptoms are vertigo, Raynaud's Syndrome, and oral health problems, like gum disease.
Some two-thirds of lupus patients complain of having arthritis in their feet. Additionally, tenosynovitis and tendonitis often coexist, leading to widespread foot and ankle pain, causing considerable disability.
Our brain, spinal cord and nerves are the main components of the nervous system. But if this system is not working in a coordinated way, neurological symptoms arise. Common signs of a problem are headaches, blurry vision, fatigue, numbness in the legs or arms, tremors, and slurred speech.
If you are dizzy right now and have any of the following neurological symptoms along with your dizziness or vertigo, call 911 immediately: New confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech. New slurred speech or hoarseness of voice. New numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg.