Don’t Let Dizziness Throw Off Your Life’s Balance

Dizziness or loss of balance is the second most common complaint heard in doctors’ offices. National Institutes of Health statistics indicate dizziness will occur in 70 percent of the nation’s population at some point in their lives. Acute or chronic problems with equilibrium may indicate serious health risks or limit a person’s everyday living.

Equilibrium disorders fall into two categories. The first category is dizziness, vertigo, or motion intolerance that may occur in acute or sharp attacks lasting anywhere from a few seconds to several hours. This condition may be caused or worsened by rapid head movements, turning too quickly, walking or riding. The second category is a persistent sense of imbalance, unsteadiness, or what some people refer to as a loss of surefootedness.

Good news is diagnosis and treatment options have become more effective over the past 10 years. There is hope for many individuals who once thought there might be no relief.

Loss of Balance

Many people believe loss of balance and unsteadiness are a natural result of aging. In fact, fear of falling is the number one health concern of individuals in their later years. This fear appears to not be unfounded as National Institutes of Health statistics indicate balance-related falls account for half of the accidental deaths in the population over 65. In addition, nearly 300,000 hip fractures and $3 billion dollars in medical expenses result from balance-related falls every year.

Human equilibrium is a complex interaction that requires correct input from the inner ear, vision and somatosensory (contact with the earth as perceived by our feet, muscles and joints). All three signals must then be correctly received by our central nervous system. Then the cerebellum, which is the motor control portion of the brain, must execute the correct movement of our musculoskeletal system so we maintain our center of gravity. If any one or several components of this complicated system do not work properly, then a loss of surefootedness or movement coordination can take place

The natural aging process may affect any one or all of these senses as well as the central nervous system’s ability to interpret and react to them quickly. It is very common to hear from someone who has fallen that they saw the curb or step, but were not able to react fast enough or to keep their balance.

With proper diagnosis and therapeutic exercises, known as Balance Retraining, many older adults can return to a more active lifestyle.

Did you know?

  • Vertigo, dizziness or imbalance will affect 90 million Americans sometime during their lifetime.
  • Each year, over nine million people consult with their doctors with complaints of dizziness, the number one malady for those over 70.
  • Balance related falls account for more than one-half of the accidental deaths in the elderly and cause over 300,000 hip fractures a year in individuals over 65 years of age.
  • Some forms of inner ear disorders, such as Meniere’s Disease, benign positional vertigo, perilymph fistula, and endolymphatic hydrops, have symptoms that are virtually indistinguishable to most people. Since imbalance and vertigo can affect a person’s ability to stand and walk, see clearly, read, watch television, make decisions, and think clearly, these conditions are often misdiagnosed as multiple sclerosis and clinical depression.
  • Children with treatable vestibular disorders are sometimes incorrectly diagnosed as learning disabled, dyslexic, or psychologically disturbed.
  • Blows to the head and whiplash are frequent causes of dizziness.
  • Ear infections, such as otitis media, can also lead to vestibular disorders.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get rid of the dizziness?
Typically, symptoms resolve on their own, but treatment can be provided either in home or at a practice that treats balance issues.
How long does vertigo last?
A vertigo attack may last only a few seconds, or a few hours. This may last only a matter of weeks, or it may be an ongoing problem. People with persistent, ongoing vertigo may be in danger of harming themselves or others, making treatment a necessity.
What are some home exercises for vertigo?
The Brandt-Daroff exercises and the Epley maneuver are two home methods for treating benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), the most common disorder of the inner ear’s vestibular system. These two maneuvers succeed in 95 percent of cases, but might be more arduous than office treatments.

Brandt-Daroff Exercises: Three sessions per day for two weeks. Each maneuver should be performed five times per session. (1) Begin by sitting upright on your bed. (2) Lay down on your right side with your knees bent and your legs pulled up halfway to your chest. Look upward at a 45 degree angle (as if someone is standing about six feet in front of you while you look at their head); stay in this side laying position for 30 seconds or until dizziness subsides. (3) Move back to a sitting position for 30 seconds. (4) Perform step 2 on the opposite side.

Epley Maneuver: Repeat every night for two weeks. (1) Sit upright on your bed with your legs stretched out in front you of, twisting your head to the left for about one minute. (2) Lay on your back and keep your head facing left and slightly upward, similar to the head position of the previous exercise. Perform for 30 seconds. (3) Turn the head in the same position to the right, and hold for 30 seconds. (4) Roll to your right side and hold for 30 seconds. (5) Return to the upright position for one minute, and repeat the cycle three times. Mirror your movements to treat the right ear.

Why do I get dizzy when I stand up?
Blood pressure drops excessively when you sit or stand, causing dizziness. This dizziness can resolve rapidly within a few seconds if the person lies down. Some people do faint, however, and symptoms tend to be more common and worse after exercise, consuming alcohol, or eating a heavy meal. Low blood flow to the brain can cause dizziness and other symptoms, and is not necessarily a result of vertigo. Because reasons for dizziness vary depending upon specific medical conditions, individuals who experience excessive dizziness when shifting body positions are encouraged to consult an expert.