We'll let you…. A waddling gait refers to an unusual walking motion. Learn whether this is normal among pregnant women, children, and adults. Titubation is a type of involuntary tremor that occurs in the head, neck, and trunk area. Lead in water pipes can cause a number of long lasting health effects, and experts say children are particularly vulnerable to them.
Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. What Causes Poor Balance? Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M. It can also lead to falls, which can cause broken bones and other injuries. What are the symptoms of balance problems? What causes balance problems? Who is at risk of balance problems? How are balance problems diagnosed? How are balance problems treated? Read this next. Meniere's Disease. Medically reviewed by Seunggu Han, M. Medically reviewed by Elaine K.
Luo, M. Medically reviewed by Kristen M. Moyer, MD. Medically reviewed by Angela M. Vertigo, the feeling that you or the things around you are spinning, is a common symptom. Having good balance means being able to control and maintain your body's position, whether you are moving or remaining still. Good balance helps you walk without staggering, get up from a chair without falling, climb stairs without tripping, and bend over without falling.
Good balance is important to help you get around, stay independent, and carry out daily activities. Balance disorders are one reason older people fall. Learn more about falls and falls prevention from NIA. Visit the website of the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders for information on specific balance disorders.
People are more likely to have problems with balance as they get older. But age is not the only reason these problems occur. In some cases, you can help reduce your risk for certain balance problems. Some balance disorders are caused by problems in the inner ear. The part of the inner ear that is responsible for balance is the vestibular system, also known as the labyrinth.
A condition called labyrinthitis occurs when the labyrinth becomes infected or swollen. It is typically accompanied by vertigo and imbalance. Upper respiratory infections, other viral infections, and, less commonly, bacterial infections can also lead to labyrinthitis. Some diseases of the circulatory system, such as stroke , can cause dizziness and other balance problems. A vestibular disorder, or vestibulopathy, can cause issues with orientation.
The most common vestibular disorder is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo BPPV. It's triggered by certain head movements that cause particles in the inner ear to bang around, causing other effects such as dizziness , spinning vertigo , lightheadedness, and nausea. It's rarely serious, and sometimes goes away on its own within a few weeks or months. It's usually effective with just one or two treatments, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Some vestibular disorders are caused by other factors, such as a benign growth affecting a nerve, which would require surgery to fix, Bronte-Stewart notes. Some are caused by infection, and can be fixed with a round of meds. Sometimes, balance issues can be caused by simple deterioration in physical fitness. This is most common as we age and our muscle mass deteriorates. But it can affect people at any age.
If you're fairly young, having a desk job shouldn't make an impact, as long as you're up and about when you're not working and you exercise regularly, Bronte-Stewart says. Vision helps keep the vestibular system functioning correctly—it's a major player in gathering spatial signals. If you can't maintain a steady focus on the things around you, especially when you're moving, it can throw you off a bit.
It could be as easy as getting corrective lenses—maybe you never realized before your vision wasn't perfect. If you have balance issues and also notice other signs of deteriorating vision, like not being able to read road signs you used to be able to, or getting a headache from reading, consider visiting an optometrist for an eye exam.
0コメント