Balance problems are conditions that make you feel unsteady or dizzy. If you are standing, sitting or lying down, you might feel as if you are moving, spinning or floating. If you are walking, you might suddenly feel as if you are tipping over or generally unsteady.
Many body systems — including your muscles, bones, joints, vision, 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.
Many medical conditions can cause balance problems. However, most balance problems result from issues in your balance end-organ in the inner ear (vestibular system).
Signs and symptoms of balance problems include:
• Sense of motion or spinning (vertigo)
• Feeling of faintness (presyncope)
• Loss of balance (disequilibrium)
• Dizziness
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). The damage can lead to difficulties with walking.
• Joint, muscle or vision problems. Muscle weakness and unstable joints can contribute to your loss of balance. Difficulties with eyesight also can lead to disequilibrium.
• Medications. Disequilibrium can be a side effect of medications.
• Certain neurologic conditions. These include cervical spondylosis and Parkinson’s disease.
Remember that you can always contact Dorval Physio, whose professionals can help you to restore your balance.
