Balance Problems

Balance problems can affect the quality of life, and they can occur due to a lot of medical conditions.

Balance problems

Balance is necessary to stay steady when standing or moving, and it depends on the work of several body systems, including the eyes, balance organ in the ears (vestibular system), nerves, heart, blood vessels, skin, muscles, joints, and bones.

Balance problems occur when something disrupts the process that these systems conduct.

Causes of balance problems

Balance issues can affect anyone at any age, but it’s more common with aging. Causes include:

• Disorders in the inner ear: a tumor on the nerve that helps with hearing and balance, Meniere’s disease, vestibular neuritis, labyrinthitis (swelling in the inner ear), an ongoing dizziness that’s triggered by motion or screen, and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo that causes short bursts of dizziness when moving the head.
• Other health conditions, including migraines, motion sickness, head injuries, heart disease, peripheral neuropathy, neurological problems, and orthostatic hypotension (it occurs suddenly when standing up).

Symptoms of balance problems

Symptoms of balance issues differ depending on the cause, and they might manifest quickly or slowly; they might also occur in certain situations. They include the following:

• Dizziness.
• Lightheadedness.
• Vertigo.
• Blurred vision.
• Unsteadiness.
• Confusion.
• The feeling that you might fall.

Diagnosis of balance problems

• Physical exam.
• Vestibular tests.

Treatment of balance problems

• Treating balance problems depends on the cause.
• A certain type of physical therapy is called vestibular rehabilitation therapy, which includes exercises to improve balance.