Balance Disorders

Ruthanne

Ruthanne

Caregiver
Location
Midwest
I have had a hard time with balance over the past few years and it's getting worse. I'm not sure if it's linked to falling down the steps last week. Has anyone else had this issue and have you done anything for it?

I am going to talk to my dr. about it.

Why am I so unsteady on my feet?
What causes a balance disorder? Inner ear problems are common causes of a balance disorder, especially in younger people. Other causes can include medicine side effects, vision problems, problems with nerves in the legs or feet, allergies, infections, arthritis, anxiety, low blood pressure, and dehydration.

How is balance disorder treated?​

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There are many different treatments for balance disorders, which vary according to the cause. Exercises, physical therapy, medicines, and lifestyle changes are some examples of treatment for balance disorder. Once a doctor determines the cause, treatment is usually simple and effective.



Why is balance disorder a concern?​

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The risk of having balance problems increases as people get older, especially after age 75. Balance problems can be an issue in adults over age 65 because they are linked to falls. Falls and fall-related injuries can have a profound impact on a person’s life, sometimes limiting activity, decreasing the ability to live independently, and even causing life-threatening injury.



What should I do if I think I have a balance disorder?​

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Make an appointment to see your primary care provider to discuss your symptoms. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history and will need to know all the medicines you are taking. Your doctor will probably ask whether you have had a fall and the circumstances around the fall. In some cases, your doctor may refer you to a specialist, such as an otolaryngologist (ear, nose & throat doctor) or cardiologist.
 

I have BPPV, or Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Doesn't hurt, but it's annoying and has reduced my personal productivity quite a bit at times. I tend to get attacks in the a.m., for some reason.

My BPPV is slowly - VERY slowly - easing off. Started in August 2020 and currently I can keep it down to just a few attacks per week, mostly minor but occasionally will last for 1/2 day or so.

Some prescriptives and herbal medications can exacerbate it. I dropped the herbals, but still take my prescriptives.

Unfortunately, balance exercises are useless for BPPV. It's exactly like being very seasick, but on dry land - you can even be sitting down, when an attack will start. I found the Epley maneuver helped a lot when the vertigo attacks were daily. Doesn't help when one is having an attack, but doing it before going to bed at night was a regular routine for almost six months.

Now that the BPPV attacks are milder, I find mint oil often helps me stop an attack. Not always, but about 60% of the time. Small investment for something non-toxic that helps.
 

It can be due to peripheral neuropathy , [mine is]. Basically it is the dying of the nerves in the feet. I am currently doing a treatment program for this. Only about half way through the prescribed program @ this time , no improvement yet .

I will post @ the completion , good or bad.
 
It seems that you self diagnosed yourself with a balance disorder from what I have read which is not good. Of course see a doctor. Possibly your blood pressure meds are driving your blood pressure too low and making you lightheaded, or you lack leg strength from a sedentary life style, but I'm not a doctor and I don't play one on TV.
 
I have a similar problem, maybe a bit more of a light headed feeling, but it makes me unsteady on my feet. It is new within the last year or so, nothing I had before.

I have asked a couple of different doctors about it several times, and after lots and lots of blood testing, an EKG, and a colonoscopy (looking for bleeding) they have found nothing... So I guess it's all in my head... literally. I have not given up, but this is kind of discouraging, and I think the doctors are getting tired of my complaining... I take lots of vitamins, try to eat well and exercise, am not over or under weight, and have low bp without meds, don't know what else I can do, except feel unstable I guess.

Hope you figure yours out, let us know how it progresses.
 
Very important topic; I am glad you posted about it, Ruthanne.

It's important for many of us,
and of course, we care about you as well.

Everyone's ideas and posts are informative, too,
and good for sharing with each other, here.
 
Chet said:
It seems that you self diagnosed yourself with a balance disorder from what I have read which is not good. Of course see a doctor. Possibly your blood pressure meds are driving your blood pressure too low and making you lightheaded, or you lack leg strength from a sedentary life style, but I'm not a doctor and I don't play one on TV.
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Well, you are incorrect in saying I have been lightheaded because I have not. My balance is off without lightheadedness. I also have not self diagnosed myself with a balance disorder-I just found some good information on that and posted it. And what makes you think I take blood pressure medication--that's an assumption on your part. For not playing a doctor you sure do a lot of guesswork.
 
Alligatorob said:
I have a similar problem, maybe a bit more of a light headed feeling, but it makes me unsteady on my feet. It is new within the last year or so, nothing I had before.

I have asked a couple of different doctors about it several times, and after lots and lots of blood testing, an EKG, and a colonoscopy (looking for bleeding) they have found nothing... So I guess it's all in my head... literally. I have not given up, but this is kind of discouraging, and I think the doctors are getting tired of my complaining... I take lots of vitamins, try to eat well and exercise, am not over or under weight, and have low bp without meds, don't know what else I can do, except feel unstable I guess.

Hope you figure yours out, let us know how it progresses.
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That's too bad they have not diagnosed anything and helped you out. I never have lightheadedness and don't know where you and others get that idea from. You can have balance problems without lightheadedness.
 
Kaila said:
Very important topic; I am glad you posted about it, Ruthanne.

It's important for many of us,
and of course, we care about you as well.

Everyone's ideas and posts are informative, too,
and good for sharing with each other, here.
Click to expand...
Yes, I agree it's important for us older people to be aware of balance issues and disorders.
 
Ruthanne said:
Thanks. I will see the doctor or speak to him on the phone. I take a vitamin D supplement every day. Do you think Vitamin D has something to do with balance issues?
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I was told this back when I was in the hospital for an unrelated issue.

In taking my history, I told them I had fallen the year before and broke my wrist. The doctors said lack of vitamin D sometimes plays a role in falls due to muscle weakness causing imbalance:

"Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency can include muscle weakness, pain, fatigue and depression."

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/15050-vitamin-d--vitamin-d-deficiency

Since you take a supplement, this wouldn't apply to you.
 
RadishRose said:
I was told this back when I was in the hospital for an unrelated issue.

In taking my history, I told them I had fallen the year before and broke my wrist. The doctors said lack of vitamin D sometimes plays a role in falls due to muscle weakness causing imbalance:

"Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency can include muscle weakness, pain, fatigue and depression."

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/15050-vitamin-d--vitamin-d-deficiency

Since you take a supplement, this wouldn't apply to you.
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But I do have some muscle weakness due to not enough exercise.
 
I had balance issues about 6-7 years back, when I was turning 70 ... I was falling when just walking outside my home. It was puzzling to me.
At the time, I was prescribed a low dose Blood pressure med., and also a thyroid med.
Doctor said I tested 'normal' for both, but take the drugs anyway to ensure everything stays that way .. ????

When I couldn't get back to my doctor for a follow-up, I just quit taking both altogether.
Not something advised I know, because I was told, when you start taking these drugs, you take them for life, but I did it anyway.

No falls since. ...
The thyroid pill seemed to make me hungry, and I didn't feel in control. ..So losing weight wasn't going to happen while on them either.
 
Bonnie said:
I had balance issues about 6-7 years back, when I was turning 70 ... I was falling when just walking outside my home. It was puzzling to me.
At the time, I was prescribed a low dose Blood pressure med., and also a thyroid med.
Doctor said I tested 'normal' for both, but take the drugs anyway to ensure everything stays that way .. ????

When I couldn't get back to my doctor for a follow-up, I just quit taking both altogether.
Not something advised I know, because I was told, when you start taking these drugs, you take them for life, but I did it anyway.

No falls since. ...
The thyroid pill seemed to make me hungry, and I didn't feel in control. ..So losing weight wasn't going to happen while on them either.
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Very interesting, thanks.
 
Mike said:
I had a bit of dizziness last year, only slight, but still disturbing,
taking ginger is supposed to help, so I got some candied ginger
and ate that for a few weeks, the dizziness went away after a
couple of days, so maybe it does help.

Mike.
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Glad that helped. I don't have dizziness but my balance is still off.
 
rgp said:
It can be due to peripheral neuropathy , [mine is]. Basically it is the dying of the nerves in the feet. I am currently doing a treatment program for this. Only about half way through the prescribed program @ this time , no improvement yet .

I will post @ the completion , good or bad.
Click to expand...
@rgp, I have PN in my feet as well, creeping up my legs to the knees. I'd be interested to know what treatment program you're involved with.
My MD did some labs, didn't find a smoking gun so my PN is considered to be "idiopathic", a fancy term for "we don't know".
 
fmdog44 said:
Look in to what exercises or routines you can do at home to help. Look online
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A few years back my balance was 'trashed' by a lengthy medical treatment, I regained my balance abilities from attending Silver Sneakers classes at the local fitness center. In response to the pandemic lock down Silver Sneakers is now offering online classes. Would highly recommend, check your health care provider for Silver Sneakers coverage.
 
Sorry to read of your difficulty. I sincerely hope your medical care provider can help you.

I've been a bit unsteady on my pins since my hip replacement last year. In my case, I think I just need to work harder on the muscles in my hip joint. Of course, I am another year older which may be a factor as well.
 
Pappy said:
I was having balance problems too Ruthanne. The VA sent me for 4 weeks PT at a local facility. They worked on strengthening my legs, mostly my left one. It has help some. Now when I walk in the morning I don’t wobble all over the place.
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That is good to hear. My doctor may just prescribe PT for me.
 
Llynn said:
Sorry to read of your difficulty. I sincerely hope your medical care provider can help you.

I've been a bit unsteady on my pins since my hip replacement last year. In my case, I think I just need to work harder on the muscles in my hip joint. Of course, I am another year older which may be a factor as well.
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Yes, muscles can need strengthening. Good luck to you.
 
Ruthanne said:
Glad that helped. I don't have dizziness but my balance is still off.
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I might have misled you with the dizziness, that came when I lay
down in bed, I had the balance problems during the day.

Mike.
 

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