Maintaining good balance is essential for everyday tasks, such as standing up and walking, as well as for overall safety. Balance issues can increase your risk of falling, which is a significant health concern for adults aged 65 and older. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately one million adults in this age group experience fall-related hospitalizations each year. Some early warning signs of balance issues may help with early detection.
What Is a Balance Disorder?
While everyone may experience a dizzy spell occasionally, a balance disorder is a condition that causes you to feel unsteady or dizzy frequently. There are many balance disorders, and they have various causes:
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), also called positional vertigo, occurs when calcium deposits in the inner ear—which is where your vestibular system is housed—become dislodged.
- Labyrinthitis occurs when the inner ear is inflamed, often caused by ear infections
- A perilymph fistula, or small tear in the ear, causes inner ear fluid to leak into the middle ear.
- Additionally, other health conditions, such as head injuries, low blood pressure or eye muscle issues, can cause balance disorders.
Early Warning Signs
- Frequent dizziness. As said above, everyone gets dizzy from time to time, but if it happens frequently, it’s worth investigating the cause.
- Vertigo. Vertigo is the sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning, even if you’re not moving. It’s usually caused by a problem with the inner ear or the brain, so it shouldn’t be ignored.
- Difficulty walking. If you struggle with walking in a straight line, constantly veer to the side while walking, stumble frequently or walk with an unsteady gait, it could indicate balance issues, even if you don’t feel dizzy. You may have extreme difficulty walking in dimly lit environments or on uneven ground.
- Difficulty standing up. This sign gets missed a lot because it’s easy to believe that it’s due to weakened legs or joints, but struggling to stand up on your feet from a sitting position could also indicate a balance disorder.
- Holding on to walls or furniture. Your body often knows there’s a problem before you do. You may not realize that you feel unsteady on your feet, but if you are frequently reflexively reaching out for support—even when you’re at home—it’s a good indicator that something is wrong.
- Blurred vision or double vision. Your eyes play a key role in maintaining balance, and if they send incomplete or inaccurate signals to the brain, your fall risk increases.
What to Do About It
Don’t wait for a fall to realize that you may have issues with your balance. Seek help at the first sign of trouble and reduce your risk of falls. Call our balance experts at Southwestern Hearing & Balance today to make an appointment for a balance test. We can determine if there is an issue with your balance and diagnose a balance disorder, and then we’ll work with you to create a treatment plan that helps you stay strong and independent, with reduced chances of falling.