Jun

24

Managing and preserving body position while staying still or moving is the principal function of good balance. Good balance helps an individual to walk without staggering, arise from a sitting position without falling, and to climb stairs without tripping.

Balance problems are regularly disclosed by 9 percent of adults, aged 65 and older. Good balance is necessary in helping an older person to stay independent, and implement daily chores and activities. A large majority older individuals, however, suffer from dizziness, “wooziness,” and difficulties with balance.

The experience by individuals that they, themselves, or their environment is spinning is commonly referred to as “vertigo.” About 40 percent of individuals in the U.S. will encounter dizziness that is consequential enough to go seek medical assistance. And, among older adults, falls are the leading cause of severe injury and deaths.

Balance and Inner Ear Problems

There are a variety of balance disorders. Three conventional types are benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, labyrinthitis, and Meniere’s disease. Of these three, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is the most prevalent. Its symptoms include 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 condition is more likely to happen in persons 60 and older, although it can also occur in younger individuals.

There are an assortment of basis for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Inner ear infection, head injury, or simply aging can produce the condition. While it can be associated with other disease processes, frequently a simple Epleys procedure can eliminate the condition. Your Santa Barbara Chiropractor has many years of experience in this procedure.

Labyrinthitis is an infection or iirritation of the inner ear that cause dizziness and loss of balance. It affects adults of any age and the cause is unknown.

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

Age is not the only reason these problems arise, but older individuals are more likely to experience balance disorders. Depending on the reason for the balance disorder, treatment will vary. A chiropractor is well-educated in diagnosing and treating a large majority of the causes. Sometimes, even simple exercises for vestibular rehab can be the answer to balance challenges. Consult a health care professional, such as your Santa Barbara Chiropractor, if you have encountered, or are currently experiencing, dizziness, vertigo, or other abnormalities with balance.

While some balance disorders are created by complications in the inner ear, other disorders may involve another area of the body, such as the brain or the heart. Head injury, stroke, certain medicines, circulation problems, 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 create balance disorders.

Balance disorders caused by high blood pressure can normally be managed by less sodium intake,cultivating a healthy weight, and exercise. To aid in making the symptoms of dizziness less severe, most often eating low-salt or salt-free foods, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol, will help.

Balance disorders are serious. It is the primary cause of falls and fall-related injuries in older people. It is extremely important 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.