What causes a person to lose balance?

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.

Why do seniors lose their balance?

Long-term medical condition that affects the nervous system can have an impact on balance, too. Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and Multiple Sclerosis are just a few. In addition, arthritis, heart problems, and certain medications seniors take for chronic illnesses can all contribute to unsteadiness.

Can balance problems be cured?

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.

Why am I losing my balance when walking?

Losing your balance while walking, or feeling imbalanced, can result from: Vestibular problems. Abnormalities in your inner ear can cause a sensation of a floating or heavy head and unsteadiness in the dark. Nerve damage to your legs (peripheral neuropathy).

How do you cure loss of balance?

Your treatment may include:

Balance retraining exercises (vestibular rehabilitation). Therapists trained in balance problems design a customized program of balance retraining and exercises.
Positioning procedures.
Diet and lifestyle changes.
Medications.
Surgery.

When to practice new foot positions for balance?

Practice these new feet positions whenever you are standing. With increased awareness of your feet and the alignment of your knees, hips, spine, shoulders and head over them, your body will adjust to the new positions and modify your old standing habits. Physical Therapy: Getting Into Balance, Dec/Jan 1996, 33-36.

Which is the least stable position for balancing?

The least stable position for balancing is over one foot or with the feet together. This is because the base of support is narrower. As you move your feet wider apart, your base of support becomes larger and your stability improves. When standing, your feet should be parallel and at least 3 inches apart.

How are your feet supposed to be when standing?

Foot Position. When standing, your feet should be parallel and at least 3 inches apart. Because the angle of the ankle joint varies between people, a slight turnout of the ankle — no more than 10…

What happens to your body if you have balance problems?

If your balance problems last for a long time, you might find that they affect your quality of life. Balance is very complex and involves many different parts of the body such as your ears, eyes, and sensory nerves in your muscles and joints. Balance problems and dizziness can also be caused by a number of health problems other than stroke.

What causes loss of balance and unsteadiness while walking?

Loss of balance or unsteadiness. Losing your balance while walking, or feeling imbalanced, can result from: Vestibular problems. Abnormalities in your inner ear can cause a sensation of a floating or heavy head, and unsteadiness in the dark. Nerve damage to your legs (peripheral neuropathy).

What are the symptoms of being out of balance?

When something goes awry with that system, a whole range of symptoms can result, including: Lightheadedness. Coordination problems. Struggling to walk in a dark room. Veering left or right when walking. Dizziness or vertigo (a spinning sensation).

Can a person have balance problems while sitting?

These feelings can happen whether you’re lying down, sitting or standing. Many body systems — including your muscles, bones, joints, eyes, the balance organ in the inner ear, nerves, heart and blood vessels — must work normally for you to have normal balance. When these systems aren’t functioning well, you can experience balance problems.

What makes you feel like you are standing on a boat?

Usually, true balance disorders go beyond run-of-the-mill klutziness, says audiologist Julie Honaker, PhD, CCCA, Director of the Vestibular and Balance Disorders Program. But “balance disorders” include a broad range of problems, from minor lightheadedness to feeling like you’re standing on a boat (on one foot, during a hurricane).