Balance problems are regularly described by 9 percent of adults, aged 65 and older. Good balance is vital in helping an older person to stay independent, and to carry out daily chores and activities. Dizziness, “wooziness,” and problems with balance are suffered by a large majority people as they grow older.

The label, vertigo, relates to the feeling that a number of people have that they, themselves, or the things around them are spinning. About 40 percent of Americans will encounter dizziness that is serious enough to go to a doctor. And, among older adults, falls are the prevailing cause of severe injury and deaths.

Balance and Inner Ear Challenges

Three types of balance disorders that are most familiar are benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, labyrinthitis, and Meniere’s disease, but there are a variety of other kinds of balance disorders. Of these three, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is the most common. Its symptoms encompass a brief, intense experience of vertigo with a change in head position, when rolling over to the left or right in bed or when getting out of bed, or when looking up for something on a high shelf. This problem is more probable in people 60 and older, but it can also occur in younger individuals.

The reasons for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo are multifarious. It may be caused by an inner ear infection, head injury, or simply aging. Whereas it can be connected with other disease processes, many times a simple Epleys procedure can eliminate the problem. Your chiropractor has many years of experience in this procedure.

Labyrinthitis is an infection or irritation of the inner ear that produces dizziness and loss of balance. It affects people|individuals of any age and the cause is currently undiscovered.

Ménière’s disease is a balance disorder that produces vertigo, inconsistent hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing or roaring in the ears), and a “full feeling” in the ear.

Although older individuals are more likely to experience balance disorders, age is not the only cause for why these problems take place. Depending on the cause of the balance disorder, treatment will vary. A chiropractor is well-trained in diagnosing and treating many of the causes. On occasion, even simple exercises for vestibular rehab can be the answer to balance challenges. Call a health care professional, such as your chiropractor, if you have encountered, or are currently experiencing, dizziness, vertigo, or other problems with balance.

Not all balance disorders are caused by problems in the inner ear. A small number may include other parts of the body like the brain or heart. Head injury, stroke, certain medicines, circulation challenges, upper respiratory infections and other viral infections, stress, fatigue, smoking, alcohol use,  high or low blood pressure, and heart disease are all factors that, in addition to aging and ear infection, may produce balance disorders.

Balance disorders caused by high blood pressure can generally be managed by less sodium intake,maintaining a healthy weight, and exercise. To aid in making the symptoms of dizziness less severe, frequently eating low-salt or salt-free foods, and staying away from caffeine and alcohol, will help.

Balance disorders are dangerous. It is the primary cause of falls and fall-related injuries in older people. It is crucial to have a possible balance disorder analysed and treated as soon as possible.

If you can answer “yes” to any of the following questions, you should discuss the symptom(s) with your chiropractor:

• Do you have the feeling of being “unsteady?”

• Does the room seem to spin around you?

• Is there ever a time when you feel as if you are moving when you know you are standing still?

• Do you lose your balance and/or fall?

• Do you feel as if you are falling?

• Does your vision ever become “blurred?”

• Do you ever feel disoriented, or lose a sense of time, place or identify?

Don’t wait until it’s too late! Call your chiropractor today.

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