Balance and Vestibular Disorders
About 15% of adults in the U.S. and 20-25% of Americans over 65 years of age experience balance issues. A balance disorder can limit daily activities like driving, exercising or socializing and be emotionally challenging.
Symptoms of balance disorders
Symptoms of balance issues may include:
- Light-headedness
- Dizziness
- Vertigo (spinning sensation)
- Blurred vision
- Disorientation
- Staggering
- Fainting
- Falling
Related symptoms may include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, changes in heart rate and blood pressure and fear, anxiety or panic. Symptoms may be intermittent or long-lasting, and can lead to fatigue and depression.
Causes of balance disorders
Balance disorders may be caused by a head injury, ear infection, medications, certain health conditions or common vestibular disorders, such as Ménière’s disease, that are related to problems in the inner ear.
Treatment of balance disorders
Depending on their cause, some balance issues are treatable with medications, nutritional changes or lifestyle adjustments, while others may not be fully treatable and must be managed with the support of a vestibular rehabilitation therapist.