What causes balance and walking problems?
What causes balance and walking problems?
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.
How do you fix balance issues?
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.
Can balance problems be serious?
Balance problems are a common symptom of many different medical conditions. Many of these disorders do not require medical treatment. But if you have balance problems, you should see a doctor to rule out serious health problems such as a stroke or tumor.
Why do I stagger when I walk?
If you have a balance disorder, you may stagger when you try to walk, or teeter or fall when you try to stand up. You might experience other symptoms such as: Dizziness or vertigo (a spinning sensation) Falling or feeling as if you are going to fall.
What causes difficulty walking in a straight line?
Nerve damage is most commonly caused by diabetes, however it can also be the result of infection, trauma, alcoholism, nutrient deficiencies, trauma, autoimmune diseases and medications, such as side effects from chemotherapy.
What is it called when you keep losing your balance?
Vertigo. Vertigo is a symptom of various conditions, and it often accompanies a loss of balance. There are two main types of vertigo: Peripheral vertigo: This often results from a condition affecting the inner ear, such as an inner ear infection or Ménière’s disease.
Why can’t I balance on one foot?
“One-leg standing time is a simple measure of postural instability and might be a consequence of the presence of brain abnormalities,” concludes Tabara. “Individuals showing poor balance on one leg should receive increased attention, as this may indicate an increased risk for brain disease and cognitive decline.”
What is the medical term for difficulty walking?
Difficulty walking is the common way people describe gait abnormalities. An abnormal gait is any unusual or uncontrollable change in normal walking pattern. There are several types of gait abnormalities including: Antalgic gait is what most people commonly call a limp.
What causes balance issues when walking?
Losing your balance while walking, or feeling imbalanced, can result from: Vestibular problems. Nerve damage to your legs (peripheral neuropathy). Joint, muscle or vision problems. Medications. Certain neurologic conditions.
What can cause loss of balance while walking?
Head injury, strenuous physical activity, ear infections, and atmospheric pressure changes can cause inner ear fluid to leak into your middle ear. This can cause balance problems. Sea travel can cause balance problems that may take hours, days, or months to clear up. A tumor, such as an acoustic neuroma, can also cause balance problems.
What causes unbalanced walking?
Nonmedical causes include uneven flooring and poor posture. A leg length discrepancy can cause you to feel unbalanced when walking on a treadmill. A leg length discrepancy is a difference in the lengths of your right and left legs.
What causes difficulty in walking?
Sometimes, it’s due to arthritis or pressure on the spinal cord. Other times, it may be due to weight gain or lack of exercise. However, difficulty walking should not be considered a sign of normal aging. Difficulty walking may be a sign of cardiovascular disease, with one of the main causes of discomfort being peripheral artery disease.