Balance problems may appear before other symptoms. Treatment for chronic medical conditions vary. Most progressive disorders are not curable, but medication and rehabilitation may slow the disease.
Generally, balance disorders last for a couple of days and the patient recovers slowly over 1 to 3 weeks. However, some patients may experience symptoms that can last for several months.
Certain conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, or problems with your vision, thyroid, nerves, or blood vessels can cause dizziness and other balance problems.
Fortunately, balance can be maintained by exercising to strengthen your hips, knees and ankles. These exercises are recommended and used by home health providers and physical therapists. They can help you or a loved one to regain and maintain balance.
But you should seek medical attention if imbalance isn't a fleeting sensation, if it's debilitating and disrupting your life or if it's putting your safety at risk. The signs you might have a balance disorder include: Prolonged or extreme dizziness. A spinning sensation when you're not actually moving (vertigo)
Vestibular balance disorders can affect your balance and make you feel disoriented. Common causes include inner ear problems, medicines, infections, and traumatic brain injury. These disorders can occur at any age. But they are most common as you get older.
Researchers have found that balance begins to decline in midlife, starting at about age 50. In one recent study, adults in their 30s and 40s could stand on one foot for a minute or more. At age 50, the time decreased to 45 seconds. At 70, study participants managed 28 seconds.
The most common causes of imbalance without dizziness are related to dysfunction of the muscles, joints and peripheral nerves (proprioceptive system), or the central nervous system (brain). People with bilateral vestibulopathy have balance issues but no dizziness if the damage affects both ears at the same time.
Can I Get Better Balance Faster? Your balance will not improve overnight, but may improve over just a few weeks. I encourage my patients to take balance training seriously for at least 3 to 4 weeks before expecting significant results.
Some aminoglycoside antibiotics, such as gentamicin and streptomycin may be used in treatment of balance problems caused by Ménière's disease. Streptomycin injections and application of gentamicin directly into the inner ear are useful for their ability to affect the hair cells of the balance system.
While the vast majority of balance problems are caused by problems with the inner ear, there may be neurological causes for balance disorders which require neurological care.
Balance issues may be a symptom of several different medical conditions: Neurological conditions: Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease are examples of medical conditions that may affect your sense of balance.
If you are experiencing dizziness, lightheadedness, a spinning sensation, confusion, or blurred vision the first step is to speak with your primary care physician. He or she will begin the process of testing to determine the cause and may refer you to a local neurologist for some aspects of treatment.
It is common, with 20–30% of people experiencing symptoms at some point during their lives. It can cause people to feel like they are spinning or out of balance, which can lead to falls. People with inner ear problems are more vulnerable to vertigo, as the inner ear is a key source of a person's sense of balance.
People with Ménière's disease or other recurrent vestibular disorders should pull off the road at the first sign of an acute attack and wait until symptoms ease off. Those prone to severe, prolonged attacks should avoid driving long distances alone.
By exercising, you can improve your balance and your strength, so you can stand tall and feel more confident when walking. Read on to find 14 exercises seniors can do to improve their balance. It's best to start off with a simple balance exercise for seniors.
Single Leg Balance
Step 1: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Step 2: Extend your arms out to the sides and slowly lift your right knee up off the floor. Step 3: Straighten your leg out in front of you, hold that position for 30 seconds, and relax. Repeat this exercise for both legs at least three times.
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.
Untreated, vitamin B-12 deficiency can lead to neurological problems, such as persistent tingling in the hands and feet or problems with balance. It can lead to mental confusion and forgetfulness because vitamin B-12 is necessary for healthy brain function.
If your primary care doctor suspects you have a balance disorder, he or she may refer you to a ENT specialist for further testing. An ENT specialist, also known as an otolaryngologist, is a doctor who specializes in diseases of the ears, nose, neck and throat.