what is the best treatment for balance problems

Explore

Scientists supported by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) are studying animal ears to learn if inner-ear structures that help with balance but are destroyed by aging, medications, infections, or trauma can someday be regrown in people with balance problems.

What can be done to help balance problems?

Balance problems due to high blood pressure can be managed by eating less salt (sodium), maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising. Balance problems due to low blood pressure may be managed by drinking plenty of fluids , such as water, avoiding alcohol , and being cautious regarding your body's posture and movement, such as standing up slowly and avoiding …

What can help with balance issues?

What kind of Doctor treats balance problems?

How do you treat a balance problem?

Can balance problems be cured?

Vestibular balance disorders can affect orientation and balance. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and can include medicine, rehabilitation, and lifestyle changes. You may need surgery for symptoms that do not resolve with other treatments.

What kind of doctor should I see for balance problems?

If you think that you have a balance disorder, schedule an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor may refer you to an otolaryngologist, a doctor with special training in problems of the ear, nose, throat, head, and neck.

What is the main cause of balance problems?

What causes balance disorders? Causes of balance problems include medications, ear infection, a head injury, or anything else that affects the inner ear or brain. Low blood pressure can lead to dizziness when you stand up too quickly.Mar 6, 2018

Is there medication to improve balance?

Fampridine, also known as Fampyra (and in America as Ampyra), is a drug that can help with walking. It helps about one in three people who take it. If this drug works for you it can speed up your walking by about 25%.Mar 17, 2022

What deficiency causes balance problems?

3. Low Vitamin B12 Levels Can Cause Dizziness. Deficiencies in this essential vitamin may lead to a number of neurological problems, including feeling off-balance, and having low blood pressure and decreased blood flow to your brain, says Whitman.Sep 6, 2017

Why does your balance get worse with age?

As we age, we lose balance function through loss of sensory elements, the ability to integrate information and issue motor commands, and because we lose musculoskeletal function. Diseases common in aging populations lead to further deterioration in balance function in some patients.

Why can't I keep my balance when I walk?

Most balance problems occur because of brain or inner ear problems, or physical issues, such as broken bones or muscle injuries. Balance problems can make it difficult to walk or move.

Can a neurologist help with balance problems?

Our neurologists and neurosurgeons diagnose and treat balance dysfunction that is the result of neurologic disorders or neurologic impairment. While the vast majority of balance problems are caused by problems with the inner ear, there may be neurological causes for balance disorders which require neurological care.

How do you improve your balance as you get older?

Healthy Aging: 8 Simple Steps to Improve Your Balance as You AgeKeep moving! ... Take a short walk each day, and gradually increase the time and distance you are walking. ... Do some gentle stretching. ... Drink enough water. ... Consider using a cane, walking stick, or other device. ... Get engaged in your community! ... Learn a new skill.More items...•Sep 28, 2017

How do you treat balance disorder at home?

Natural Remedies for Dizziness and BalanceGinger – may relieve symptoms of nausea or motion sickness.Vitamin C – can help reduce vertigo symptoms for those with Meniere's disease.Vitamin E – can help prevent circulation problems.Vitamin D – may help after a BPPV attack.May 31, 2021

What to do if you have a balance problem?

The first thing an otolaryngologist will do if you have a balance problem is determine if another health condition or a medication is to blame. If so, your doctor will treat the condition, suggest a different medication, or refer you to a specialist if the condition is outside his or her expertise.

What causes balance disorders?

Balance disorders can be caused by certain health conditions, medications, or a problem in the inner ear or the brain. A balance disorder can profoundly affect daily activities and cause psychological and emotional hardship.

Why do we need standardized tests?

Standardized tests will help doctors determine the best way to help individuals restore their sense of balance and quality of life. These tests will also help us understand how many people suffer from balance disorders, and track whether the sense of balance is restored following treatment.

What are the symptoms of a symtom?

Other symptoms might include nausea and vomiting; diarrhea; changes in heart rate and blood pressure; and fear, anxiety, or panic. Symptoms may come and go over short time periods or last for a long time, and can lead to fatigue and depression.

Does gentamicin cause hearing loss?

Other medications, such as gentamicin (an antibiotic) or corticosteroids may be used. Although gentamicin may reduce dizziness better than corticosteroids, it occasionally causes permanent hearing loss. In some severe cases of Ménière's disease, surgery on the vestibular organs may be needed.

What is the difference between an audiologist and an otolaryngologist?

An otolaryngologist is a physician and surgeon who specializes in diseases and disorders of the ear, nose, neck, and throat. An audiologist is a clinician who specializes in the function of the hearing and vestibular systems.

What happens when you turn your head?

When you turn your head, fluid inside the semicircular canals moves, causing the cupulae to flex or billow like sails in the wind, which in turn bends the stereocilia. This bending creates a nerve signal that is sent to your brain to tell it which way your head has turned.

How to improve balance and coordination?

A trained vestibular or physical therapist will help you through a series of training exercises that strengthen your coordination and balance skills. The treatment may involve practicing standing, walking with eyes open/closed, bending down, walking barefoot on different uneven surfaces, and even swimming. 6.

What is the treatment for vestibular imbalance?

Vestibular suppressants are medications designed specifically to treat motion sickness and/or eye movements caused by vestibular imbalance. They are antihistamines, anticholinergics, or benzodiazepines. 9 Depending on what kind of balance disorder you have, certain medication may also be prescribed to alleviate symptoms as follows: 10

What is vestibular rehabilitation therapy?

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) can be helpful to treat a persistent imbalance problem in those with benign positional paroxysmal vertigo (BPPV). It can also improve postural control and gaze stability and even help ring down residual dizziness for those with vestibular neuritis. 4 This therapy especially offers respite to people with Mal de Debarquement, a condition that does not respond to other standard treatments for balance disorders. 5

How to stop dizzyness when sitting?

They start by helping reduce dizziness when you’re sitting still and then incorporate standing up and eventually moving. The exercises may make you a little dizzy at first, but they will go a long way in restoring your movement. It is best to work with a trained physical therapist who specializes in inner ear disorders. 2

What causes a ringing sound in the ear?

Meniere’s disease: This inner ear disorder causes dizziness, hearing loss, ringing/buzzing in the ear (tinnitus), or congestion and a feeling of fullness in the ears. You may experience sudden dizziness that comes unannounced or happens after a spell of muffled hearing or tinnitus.

How to get rid of low blood pressure?

Aim at consuming 1.25 to 2.5 liters of water daily depending on how active you are.

How long does it take for a migraine to go away?

For most people, the problem resolves after a few hours on dry land. For the less fortunate it can linger for months or years. 35. Vestibular migraine: An estimated 40 percent of those with a migraine problem also have some symptoms of vestibular syndrome like dizziness or balance issues, as well as nausea.

What is the cause of balance disorders?

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.

How do you know if you have balance disorder?

Symptoms of Balance Disorders. If you have a balance disorder, you may stagger when you try to walk, or teeter or fall when you try to stand up. You might experience other symptoms such as: Other symptoms might include nausea and vomiting; diarrhea; changes in heart rate and blood pressure; and fear, anxiety, or panic.

Why do older people have balance problems?

Balance problems are among the most common reasons that older adults seek help from a doctor. They are often caused by disturbances of the inner ear. 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, ...

What does it mean to have good balance?

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.

How to manage high blood pressure?

Balance problems due to high blood pressure can be managed by eating less salt (sodium), maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising.

Can low blood pressure cause dizziness?

Low blood pressure can also cause dizziness. Head injury and many medicines may also lead to balance problems. Check with your doctor if you notice a problem while taking a medication. Ask if other medications can be used instead. If not, ask if the dosage can be safely reduced. Sometimes it cannot.

Can balance disorder cause dizziness?

Some people with a balance disorder may not be able to fully relieve their dizziness and will need to find ways to cope with it. A vestibular rehabilitation therapist can help you develop an individualized treatment plan.