Balance issues afflict roughly eight million adults worldwide. Depending on the severity, it can impede the quality of life of both young and old.
Individuals facing persistent balance challenges, particularly seniors, should consider practical solutions to enhance their daily safety. The risk of falls significantly increases with impaired balance, making immediate assistance critical in such events. For those seeking an added layer of protection, understanding what is fall detection for seniors can be invaluable.
These advanced systems are designed to automatically detect a fall and alert emergency contacts or trained specialists, ensuring help is on the way even if the person is disoriented or unable to call out. This proactive approach offers crucial peace of mind, allowing individuals to maintain independence with greater security.
Many reasons exist as to why balance issues can pop up. Some of those causes can be solved, while others may portend a larger problem.
We will outline some of the most common causes of balance problems in this article. Let’s get started!
Ear Problems
People with hearing loss may suffer from dizziness, vertigo, balance problems, or motion sickness. This is due to the disruption of sensory input from the auditory organs to the nervous system.
The inner ear provides essential feedback and balance input relating to both the position of the head relative to the environment and how quickly it is moving. When damage or disruption to the inner ear occurs, activity in these areas can be thrown off balance. This can lead to problems with balance.
Head Injury
These injuries can range from mild to severe, depending on the severity of the incident. One of the main reasons why head injuries can lead to balance issues is that the injury can cause damage to the vestibular system in the brain. This has an effect on the way that our body compensates for movement and our ability to remain in a steady position.
In cases of more severe injuries, it is possible for the damage to be more long-term and more difficult to fix. This could include chronic dizziness, poor coordination, and impaired balance due to the damage done to the vestibular system.
Poor Blood Circulation
Poor circulation decreases the amount of oxidative stress resistance and the development of many important circulatory organs such as the heart, brain, and muscles. The decrease in nutrient and oxygen supply can lead to a decrease in coordination and balance.
Poor circulation can slow down or even stop the signals from the brain to the muscles and this can interfere with balance. Poor circulation can also cause confusion, poor memory, and difficulty focusing due to the lack of oxygen in the brain.
Neurological Conditions
Neurological conditions are disorders of the brain, spine, and nerves, resulting in a wide variety of symptoms; one common symptom is balance problems. This can range from dizziness and vertigo to difficulty walking or a feeling of being “off-balance”.
Common neurological conditions that can cause balance problems are stroke, brain tumor, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, nerve injuries, migraine, concussions, and vestibular disorders. Learn more about childhood brain tumor symptoms and how to prevent them.
Different Causes of Balance Problems
Causes of balance problems can be caused by a variety of medical conditions. It is important to note the signs and symptoms of balance problems and seek medical attention if needed.
If balance problems are disrupting your life, seek out the help of a healthcare professional to provide a full evaluation and treatment plan. Act now to help improve balance and quality of life!
If you’ve enjoyed reading this article, check out our other great posts.
