Common Balance Disorders

Balance disorders are conditions that make people feel dizzy and unsteady. They can make you feel like you are tipping over while walking. If you are standing, sitting, or lying down, you might feel like you are spinning or floating.

Balance disorders occur when the body systems responsible for maintaining balance are disrupted. This may be due to a health condition, medication, or a problem in the brain or inner ear. Balance disorders can affect people of all ages, including children. However, they are more common in older adults.

Common Causes of Balance Disorders

Several conditions and factors can cause balance disorders. Some of these include:

• Vestibular balance disorders
• Ear infection
• Certain medications, including antibiotics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, and blood pressure medications.
• Low blood pressure
• High blood pressure
• Arthritis
• Medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke
• Vision problems
• Head injury
• Neurological disorders that cause balance disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), and cerebral palsy (in children)
• Aging

Symptoms of Balance Disorders

If you have a balance disorder, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Frequent dizziness or vertigo (a spinning sensation)
• Unsteadiness or difficulty walking
• Blurred vision
• Floating sensation
• Feeling faint 
• Falling or feeling as if you’re going to fall
• Nausea or vomiting, especially with head movements
• Confusion

These symptoms can be mild or severe; if left untreated, they can lead to falls and injuries and affect your quality of life.

Common balance disorders include:

Vertigo

Vertigo is one of the most common types of balance disorders. It causes you to feel like you or your surroundings are spinning or moving, even when standing still. Vertigo is often linked to problems in the inner ear, such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). 

BBPV occurs when small calcium crystals, called otoconia, become dislodged from their normal location in your inner ear and enter the semicircular canals.

Labyrinthitis

Labyrinthitis is an infection or inflammation of the inner ear that causes vertigo, dizziness, and loss of balance. It often develops after a viral infection, such as a cold or flu.

Vestibular Neuritis

Vestibular neuritis is an inflammation of the vestibular nerve connecting the inner ear to the brain. It causes severe dizziness, vertigo, loss of balance, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. Like labyrinthitis, it is caused by a virus.

Meniere’s Disease

Meniere’s disease is a chronic condition that affects the inner ear and leads to episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and a feeling of fullness in the ear. The exact cause of Meniere’s disease is unknown, but it’s thought to be related to abnormal fluid buildup in the inner ear. 

Vestibular Migraine

Vestibular migraines cause episodes of dizziness and vertigo without an actual headache. During an episode, you may feel dizzy, sensitive to light, sound, and motion, sick to your stomach, and have difficulty focusing. Stress, certain foods, or changes in sleep patterns can trigger these migraines.

Postural Hypotension (Orthostatic Hypotension)

Postural hypotension, also known as orthostatic hypotension, occurs when there’s a sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up from a sitting or lying position. This condition can cause lightheadedness, dizziness, or even fainting. Dehydration, certain medications, or underlying health conditions like diabetes or heart disease can cause it.

How Physical Therapy Can Treat Balance Disorders

So, how can physical therapy help manage balance disorders? At FYZICAL Marietta, we provide the following services to help treat balance disorders.

Balance Therapy

Physical therapy designed to treat a wide variety of balance disorders is known as balance therapy. Balance training includes exercises, gait and mobility training, and manual techniques. These activities help retrain your balance system and improve stability.

Vestibular Rehabilitation

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is a key component of treatment for patients with vestibular balance disorders. VRT involves head movements, balance training, gaze stabilization, and habituation exercises designed to reduce dizziness and improve stability. These exercises help retrain the brain to process signals from the vestibular system more effectively.

Neurological Rehabilitation

Neurological rehabilitation is beneficial for neurological disorders that cause balance problems. This may include Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), and stroke. In toddlers, cerebral palsy, ataxia, and hydrocephalus can cause balance disorders. 

Neurological rehabilitation helps patients regain movement control and improve balance and coordination.

Why Choose FYZICAL Marietta for Balance Therapy

FYZICAL Marietta offers comprehensive physical therapy services tailored to treat various balance disorders. With a team of highly trained therapists and state-of-the-art facilities, FYZICAL is equipped to provide individualized treatment plans that address your specific needs.

We also educate our patients on techniques and strategies for improving balance, preventing falls and injuries, and ensuring safety.

Whether you’re dealing with age-related balance problems, vestibular disorders, or neurological conditions, our team is dedicated to helping you regain your independence and improve your quality of life.

Preventing Falls and Injuries

Fall prevention is a significant concern for individuals with balance disorders, especially older adults. Physical therapists at FYZICAL Marietta can help you reduce your risk of falling through targeted exercises and education on safety measures.

These preventive strategies may include:

• Practicing proper posture
• Using assistive devices
• Making modifications to your home environment (e.g., removing trip hazards)
• Engaging in regular balance training exercises

Conclusion

Balance disorders can be challenging, but physical therapy can help manage the symptoms. Whether you're dealing with a vestibular disorder, neurological condition, or age-related imbalance, physical therapy can provide the support you need to restore balance and reduce your risk of falls

FYZICAL Marietta offers specialized physical therapy for patients of all ages. So, if you or a loved one are experiencing balance issues, consider reaching out to us for a personalized assessment and treatment plan. Learn more about Balance Therapy Marietta or schedule your consultation with Physical Therapy Marietta today.