Causes of Balance Problems

Balance disorders can make you feel dizzy and lightheaded. If you have trouble walking, standing, or walking, you most likely have balance problems. Other signs of balance problems are if the room is spinning or moving or if you feel unsteady.

Balance problems are pretty common. About 16% of Americans suffer from balance problems. Unfortunately, these problems can affect your quality of life. They can trigger isolation, depression, and anxiety. You are also at risk of falling and injuring yourself.

If you have symptoms of balance issues, you should know the possible causes and how to deal with them. Fortunately, this article explores balance problems and their causes. We also explore how these problems are diagnosed and possible treatments at FYZICAL South Scottsdale.

Kindly follow along.

What Can Cause Balance Problems?

Balance refers to the interaction between your brain, senses, and muscles. It helps you maintain your body’s position with respect to gravity. You may experience balance problems if there is a disruption in this interaction.

Balance problems cause include;

Ear Infections

The inner ear contains the vestibular system. This system comprises fluid-filled sac structures that sense your head position and movement. When you have an infection in your inner ear, it can affect your vestibular system. 

Ear infections often result from allergies, colds, sinus infections, or exposure to cigarette smoke. These infections can be acute or chronic. Common ear infections that cause balance problems include vestibular neuritis and labyrinthitis.

You may experience dizziness, ear ringing, nausea, spinning, and hearing loss if you have labyrinthitis. Signs of vestibular neuritis, on the other hand, include severe spinning, dizziness, and nausea. 

Head Injuries

Head injuries occur when there is a blow to the head. This injury can damage the brain, inner ear, or the nerves connecting them. If you suffer a severe or repeated head injury, it may impair your balance and coordination. 

Long-term head injuries may also lead to post-concussion syndrome. This syndrome can last for weeks or months, and it will impact your quality of life.

Besides balance problems, you may experience cognitive, behavioral, and mental health disorders if you have a head injury. You may also lose consciousness and have problems with your speech. Visiting your doctor immediately after you experience a blow to your head is ideal.

Medications

Medications have side effects. Unfortunately, the side effects of certain medications include balance problems. You may experience drowsiness or blurred vision when you use drugs such as antidepressants, antihistamines, painkillers, and sedatives.

Low Blood Pressure

If your blood pressure drops suddenly, your brain will experience reduced blood flow. This then makes you feel dizzy or faint. Low blood pressure can happen if you stand up too quickly from a sitting or lying position. You may also have low blood pressure if you have a heart condition or are dehydrated.

Migraines

Migraines are severe headaches. They can last for days and range from mild to severe pain. This condition can increase your sensitivity to light, smell, and sound. It can also cause balance problems like dizziness, motion sickness, or vertigo. 

Motion Sickness

Your inner ears, eyes, and body all signal to your brain. Motion sickness occurs when your brain receives conflicting signals about movement and position. You may feel nauseous and dizzy if you have motion sickness.

This condition often happens when you travel by plane, boat, or car. You may also experience it on amusement park rides.

Aging

The body’s balance declines with age. Aging is one of the most common causes of balance problems in seniors, and it is natural. The body loses its vision, muscle strength, and hearing ability with age. Reaction time may also deteriorate, leading to balance and coordination problems.

Can Anxiety Cause Balance Problems?

Yes, anxiety is a symptom and a cause of balance problems. Balance problems are unpredictable. Therefore, they can induce anxiety. Unfortunately, anxiety only makes your symptoms worse. 

You can manage your anxiety by practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing. It is also ideal to keep track of your triggers and use anxiety medications. Your doctor will prescribe a suitable anxiety medication for you, depending on the severity of your condition.

How Are Balance Problems Diagnosed?

You should visit physical therapy in South Scottsdale, AZ if you experience balance problems like dizziness, spinning sensations, or faintness. Your doctor can properly diagnose your condition and prescribe suitable medication.

During your diagnosis, your doctor will ask about your symptoms, medical history, and current medications. You will also undergo physical examinations to check your balance and hearing.

Diagnostic tests for balance problems include;

Hearing Tests

Your doctor will test your hearing using an audiometer. This device produces sounds at different volumes and frequencies. Your doctor will also examine your ear canal for signs of infection or damage.

Eye Movement Tests

Your doctor will check and record your eye movements through a videonystagmograph (VNG). During the diagnosis, your doctor will ask you to wear a special set of goggles. This test is often done in a dark room. The goggles will record the response of your eye movements to different actions.

These actions may include moving your head and body in specific positions. You may also watch moving lights on a TV screen. Your doctor may also send small bursts of warm or cold air or water into your ears.

Eye treatment tests help your doctor determine if your brain or inner ear causes your balance issue.

Balance Tests

Balance tests help your doctor evaluate your vestibular system. They can also determine how you can maintain balance in different situations. Your doctor can examine your balance through postugraphy and using a rotary chair.

A posturography is a non-invasive test used to assess your balance. Using this device, your doctor will measure how your body sways or moves on a platform. During the test, you will stand on a platform that detects your body’s oscillations.

Your doctor will also use a rotary chair to check your vestibular system and inner ear structures. Before the test, your doctor will provide infrared video goggles to record your eye movements during the test. 

The chair will spin you around at different speeds and directions to test your balance. You can inform your physical therapist at FYZICAL South Scottsdale if you feel discomfort during the test.

Imaging Tests

Imaging tests check if your balance problem is due to an underlying medical condition. These tests include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans. 

These scans are detailed. They can identify abnormalities in your brain, inner ear, or nerves causing balance issues. 

Your doctor will only perform imaging tests for balance problems as a last resort. You will undergo these scans if other diagnostic tests do not diagnose your condition.

What Is The Best Treatment For Balance Problems?

There are several treatments for balance problems. The best treatment for you will depend on the cause and severity of your condition. Your doctor may prescribe any of these for your balance problems;

Medication

Medications can address the underlying cause of balance problems. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate treatment for you to treat the specific cause of your issues. For instance, if your balance problems result from ear infections, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics, and if they result from motion sickness, your doctor will prescribe antihistamines.

Assistive Devices

Elderly people are more likely to develop balance problems. Your doctor will prescribe assistive devices like canes, wheelchairs, and walkers to help elderly people. These assistive devices will address your specific needs.

Before getting the best walker for balance problems, consider your level of mobility and strength. It is also important to note that the best walking shoes for seniors with balance problems are easy to wear, provide stability, and have excellent cushioning.

Surgery

Surgery is often used to treat severe and persistent balance problems. Your doctor may recommend surgery to repair a perforated eardrum. Your doctor may also implant a device that stimulates your vestibular nerve to correct the cause of your balance issues.

Vestibular Rehabilitation

Vestibular rehabilitation is a physical therapy technique to reduce dizziness and improve balance. This treatment involves exercises that train your brain to adapt to your environment and vestibular system.

Balance therapy Scottsdale recommends postural exercises and gaze stabilization exercises for balance problems. These exercises are straightforward, and you can do them at home or with your therapist.

How Can You Prevent Balance Problems?

You may not be able to prevent all balance problems. However, you can reduce the risk of making them worse. 

Regular exercise and a balanced diet can help improve your balance and coordination. You should also aim to drink eight glasses of water daily to stay hydrated. Dehydration lowers your blood pressure which may make you dizzy.

You can also try out relaxation techniques like deep breathing to manage stress. Adequate sleep can also regulate your nervous system and improve your coordination.

Conclusion

Aging, infections, and head injuries are common causes of balance problems. These problems can interfere with your daily activities and affect your health. 

If you experience symptoms like dizziness, lack of coordination, or vertigo, your doctor can diagnose the underlying cause. They will also prescribe the right treatment to improve your health.

You can also get physical therapy in your area to help with your balance problems. Your physical therapist in South Scottsdale, AZ, will tailor a treatment plan to address your issues.