Diagnosing the underlying cause of imbalance is difficult because there are many potential causes. Your primary care physician may refer you to a neurologist, otolaryngologist, or neuro-otologist for further diagnosis. Tests that may be used to determine the cause of imbalance include: Audiometric (hearing) tests.
Healthcare providers typically perform a Romberg test on all people who are having issues with balance, dizziness and falls to help determine if their balance issues are related to issues with proprioception. They also often include the test during physical neurological exams.
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.
Loss of balance or unsteadiness can be a side effect of medications. Certain neurological conditions. These include cervical spondylosis and Parkinson's disease.
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.
Many things can affect your sense of balance. Many people develop a balance issue as they grow older. But you can develop balance issues at any age. Inner ear disorders, head injuries and neurological conditions may affect your sense of balance.
If you feel like you're not very steady on your feet or lose your balance while walking it could be an issue with your vestibular system (again, the part of the inner ear that helps you stay balanced). You could also be dealing with joint, muscle, or vision problems.
A spinning sensation when you're not actually moving (vertigo) Veering side to side as you walk. Falling, or feeling like you are going to fall. Constant motion sensitivity.
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. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and can include medicine, rehabilitation, and lifestyle changes.
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.
Treatment for imbalance will depend on the cause but may include medications or surgery. Your physician may also prescribe vestibular rehabilitation therapy, which combines head, body, and eye exercises to reduce the dizziness and nausea caused by imbalance.
Our neurologists and neurosurgeons diagnose and treat balance dysfunction that is the result of neurologic disorders or neurologic impairment. 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.
Imaging studies of the head including CT scan (Computed Tomography scan) or MRI scan (Magnetic resonance imaging scan) are performed to check for injuries and abnormalities in the brain and cerebellum part of the brain that controls balance and coordination.
Sensor pads attached to your neck and forehead and under your eyes measure tiny changes in muscle contractions in reaction to sounds. Imaging tests. MRI and CT scans can determine if underlying medical conditions might be causing your balance problems.
When you see the neurologist, they'll talk with you about your medical history and your symptoms. You'll also have a physical exam that focuses on your brain and nerves. The neurologist may check your: Mental status.
Oxygen doesn't travel as quickly to your brain, muscles, and organs. This may cause sensations of balance loss every once in a while. Neurological conditions. If you have a health condition like Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis, you have a greater risk of losing your balance.
Here are seven warning signs associated with vitamin B-12 deficiency. Frequent bouts about dizziness and vertigo can indicate B12 deficiency. You may experience a feeling of wobbles when you get up too fast from a sitting position. You may also feel dizzy when you walk up or downstairs, it could also be dangerous.
In sum, increased fear and anxiety can lead to stiffening movement and altered postural control, gait, head movements and visual search strategies. All of this can impede balance. Balance-compromising behaviors are not limited to changes in gait patterns and postural control; they may extend to visual behaviors.
And while this may come as a surprise, it's not just older adults, like your father-in-law, who need to think about stability. Researchers have found that balance begins to decline in midlife, starting at about age 50.
The ear is a sensory organ that picks up sound waves, allowing us to hear. It is also essential to our sense of balance: the organ of balance (the vestibular system) is found inside the inner ear.
Stress, worry, or anxiety may cause other kinds of dizziness. It might feel more like lightheadedness than spinning. One form of this is chronic subjective dizziness — a vague feeling of imbalance. It happens more often in people with anxiety and in places where your senses have to take in a lot of information.
Leg weakness can be caused by a variety of medical conditions, some of which are serious. Possible causes include stroke, systemic diseases, inflammatory conditions, nerve damage, muscle disorders, and medication side effects.
Posturography, also known as computerized dynamic posturography (CDP). This test measures how well you can keep your balance while standing. It can help find out whether a balance disorder is caused by a problem with your inner ear, eyes, or nerve signals from your feet and legs.