what causes balance problems when walking
Some common causes of hepatic disease include viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease and cancer 2.Some symptoms that result from liver disease may impact walking or gait function 2. Any physical injury can potentially affect balance, especially when it makes it more difficult to coordinate movement. Vertigo, the feeling that you or the things around you are spinning, is a common symptom. You may experience different symptoms from your balance problems. Low blood pressure can also cause dizziness. Seek medical help if a person is experiencing these. If you have trouble with your balance, talk to your doctor about whether it’s safe to drive, and about ways to lower your risk of falling during daily activities, such as walking up or down stairs, using the bathroom, or exercising. Get the latest public health information from CDC », Get the latest research information from NIH, NIH staff guidance on coronavirus (NIH Only) », National Advisory Council on Aging (NACA), Advances in Alzheimer's Disease & Related Dementias Research, more about falls and falls prevention from NIA, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, www.mayoclinic.org/patient-care-and-health-information, Dizziness or vertigo (a spinning sensation), Falling or feeling as if you are going to fall, Lightheadedness, faintness, or a floating sensation. Some symptoms include: Numerous factors can trigger a loss of balance. Lea sobre este tema en español. Regular physical activity and balance exercises may help a person improve their coordination. Last medically reviewed on October 20, 2020, Erectile dysfunction or ED occurs when a man experiences difficulty getting and keeping an erection. As mentioned earlier, problems related with joints, nervous system, ear, nutrition, brain, spine, vision etc can lead to imbalance. They are often caused by disturbances of the inner ear. Some people experience vestibular migraines. They may have a balance disorder, such as a condition affecting the inner ear or brain. Problems with the nervous system, the inner ear, or the circulatory system can make it difficult to coordinate movement. Depending on the severity of the injury, this may cause balance and mobility problems, or may completely paralyze a person. ms frequently causes fatigue, which can limit walking endurance. Cerebellar disorders, which are disorders of the area of the brain that controls coordination and balance. These may … It can cause people to feel like they are spinning or out of balance, which can lead to falls. Some people also get dizzy when they are hungry or anxious. We partner with some of the companies that sell these products, which means Healthline UK and our partners may receive a portion of revenues if you make a purchase using a link(s) above. Difficulties with hearing are frequently associated with balance problems. While many balance problems are relatively harmless, it is impossible for a person to diagnose the cause on their own. Most progressive disorders are not curable, but medication and rehabilitation may slow the disease. Visit the website of the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders for information on specific balance disorders. Medication is one of the most common culprits of balance problems. 800-241-1044 (toll-free) Go to the emergency room if a person experiences dizziness after a fall or car accident, or if there are signs of a stroke, such as slurred speech or numbness on one side of the body. The treatment depends on many factors, but physical therapy and occupational therapy often help. A stroke requires prompt emergency medical care. These can be troublesome sensations. Many people experience freezing as they approach a narrow space, like an elevator door. They include. Multiple conditions can affect the peripheral nervous system without affecting the central nervous system and result in gait abnormalities and associated symptoms. The vet will run tests to look for a lesion in your dog's brain, inner ear or spinal cord. Balance problems due to high blood pressure can be managed by eating less salt (sodium), maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising. In addition, recent surgery or hospitalization and other acute medical illnesses may lead to gait and balance disorders. Balance problems can make it difficult to walk or move. Have you ever felt dizzy, lightheaded, or as if the room were spinning around you? The vestibular system helps the brain coordinate numerous actions, including standing up, walking, reaching for objects, and knowing when the body is moving or not. Some exercises help make up for a balance disorder by moving the head and body in certain ways. Sometimes, a physical injury makes it difficult to move all or part of the body. Neuropathy; Weakness after having a stroke; Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) or “mini-strokes” However, your doctor will help you get the medication you need while trying to reduce unwanted side effects. Usually the legs do not stop moving, instead they tremble or the knees move. “So often, dizziness is listed as a side effect of medications,” Dr. Honaker points out. Issues like dizziness and vertigo can occur if there are significant vision problems or even after a head injury from a fall. But age is not the only reason these problems occur. Advertising Policy. A condition called labyrinthitis occurs when the labyrinth becomes infected or swollen. 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 crossing your legs when you’re seated. Most balance problems occur because of brain or inner ear problems, or physical issues, such as broken bones or muscle injuries. Lightheadedness, faintness, or a floating sensation. National Library of Medicine www.medlineplus.gov, Mayo Clinicwww.mayoclinic.org/patient-care-and-health-information, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Even healthy older adults can experience less secure balance than when they were younger. For example, sleeping medications may make people feel slower and sluggish, causing them to trip or feel dizzy. ED is increasing in men under age 40 and some…, Exercises and stretches are important parts of recovery from a herniated or slipped disk. 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. People may notice trouble walking or keeping up with their friends as they get older, which can be caused by many things. Other neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease, peripheral neuropathy, spinal cord problems or injury to the nerves can cause balance problems while walking. Cervical Spinal Stenosis could cause major problems such as paralysis. A person with vertigo or other forms of dizziness may have trouble coordinating their movements. We picked linked items based on the quality of products, and list the pros and cons of each to help you determine which will work best for you. This can damage brain tissue and interfere with the brain’s ability to communicate with the body. Symptoms are often intense enough to disrupt daily activities, and they…, Respiratory depression, or hypoventilation, is when the lungs do not exchange gases properly, causing a low breathing rate. They might include: 1. According to Ménière’s Society, around 50% of all people will experience this condition at some point in their lives. Migraine medications may ease symptoms, while some people also find relief from lifestyle changes. Upper respiratory infections, other viral infections, and, less commonly, bacterial infections can also lead to labyrinthitis. Learn about these and other possible causes … For instance, since the inner ear is so influential when it comes to how the body maintains balance, any inner ear issues can cause problems. How can porn induce erectile dysfunction? If not, ask if the dosage can be safely reduced. Some diseases of the circulatory system, such as stroke, can cause dizziness and other balance problems. Nerve damage in your feet. This happens because during freezing a person rapidly shifts their weight from foot to foot to take a step. Difficulty walking can be neurologic or orthopedic, meaning coming from a nerve problem or muscle problem (among other, rare causes). To reduce your risk of injury from dizziness, avoid walking in the dark. The vestibular apparatus is the area that controls the balance and coordination in your cat. Treatment for chronic medical conditions vary. A cold, the flu, or a sinus infection may lead to an inner ear infection that causes … In most cases, it is possible to treat the cause to ease or eliminate symptoms of dizziness. Associated with type 2 … Arthritis of the hips, knees, ankles, or feet. Wearing a safety harness, you try to remain standing on a moving platform. Do I feel as if the room is spinning around me, even only for brief periods of time? People who experience trouble with balance and coordinating their movements should see a doctor if symptoms persist. Learn more about falls and falls prevention from NIA. The vestibular system is the part of the inner ear involved in … A person with good coordination may struggle to walk on crutches or a broken leg. © 2004-2021 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. When these sy… Sensory integration issues, which can affect a person’s reactions to light, sound, touch and movement can cause loss of balance while walking. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. This content is provided by the NIH National Institute on Aging (NIA). Treatment for spinal cord injury depends on the severity and location. A spinal cord injury damages or severs the spinal cord. Some injuries are not treatable or curable. Some medications can also contribute. Read about this topic in Spanish. A migraine is a neurological headache that may affect vision, cause nausea, or trigger unusual visual or auditory sensations. What to know about respiratory depression, Foaming or frothing at the mouth: What to know, confused about where the body is in space, weakness or numbness on one side of the body, muscle weakness that causes a person to fall easily, pain when moving that makes it difficult to maintain balance, using balance tests to see how well a person moves, performing bloodwork to test for infections, examining injuries to see how they affect movement, asking a person to keep a log of dizziness episodes, ordering X-rays or other tests to look for injuries and broken bones, dizziness so severe that they cannot safely walk or drive, dizziness that lasts for more than a few days, periodic bouts of dizziness for no apparent reason. 800-241-1055 (TTY/toll-free)nidcdinfo@nidcd.nih.govwww.nidcd.nih.gov. Ear Infections. Balance issues typically fall into one of two categories: physical injuries or neurological and inner ear issues. A loss of balance commonly occurs when a cat is suffering from vestibular disease. Since there is minimal movement in this region it is rare to see Spinal Stenosis occur here. These tests may include radiographs, x-rays, MRIs, and tomography scans. Some balance disorders are caused by problems in the inner ear. Another cause of vertigo is Ménière’s disease, a condition that affects the inner ear, inducing dizziness and hearing changes. All of these causes are treatable. Older adults may be taking many medications or coping with chronic conditions that can cause problems with balance. It also works together with the eyes and brain to make movement feel smooth and coordinated. Gait problems in ms are caused by a variety of factors. People who suffer a traumatic brain injury or a concussion may have balance issues. In some cases, you can help reduce your risk for certain balance problems. Multiple sclerosis. Sometimes, it's due to arthritis or pressure on the spinal cord. Others may improve with surgery and physical rehabilitation. Their brain may not be sending the right signals, and they may feel like the room is spinning. A doctor can help move them back where they were. Some people have problems with balance during or after a stroke. The symptoms usually occur when you look behind you … Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional, Numerous chronic and progressive diseases, COVID-19 live updates: Total number of cases passes 118 million, Mental health during the pandemic: 1 year on, In Conversation: How COVID-19 has changed health journalism, Research reveals how tea may lower blood pressure, Antibody 'cocktails' effective against SARS-CoV-2 variants. 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. It occurs when the body attacks the protective covering of the nerves, causing progressive damage that can leave a person with severe mobility and balance issues. It is typically accompanied by vertigo and imbalance. This ranges from unsteadiness and difficulty with walking to dizziness or lethargy. In this article…. People may lose their balance while walking if they trip, become distracted, or wear shoes that do not fit. Abnormal development of the muscles or bones of your legs or feet. If you think that you have a balance disorder, schedule an appointment with your doctor. It is common, with 20–30% of people experiencing symptoms at some point during their lives. Freezing happens when your feet stop moving forward while you are walking, even though you try to keep going. Note: (a) Macula of the utricle with the head … These headaches affect the vestibular system, which is responsible for balance. Good balance is important to help you get around, stay independent, and carry out daily activities. As a person ages, they may also find it more difficult to recover from injuries, which may aggravate preexisting balance issues. Almost any medicine can potentially trigger dizziness, though this is more common with certain drugs, including: A sedentary lifestyle on its own will not cause severe balance issues. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can improve outcomes and, in some cases, may even save lives. Many things can cause balance problems in elderly adults. Confusion or disorientation. Multiple sclerosis is one of the most common. Balance problems following a fall or car accident constitute a medical emergency. Ataxia is a sensory dysfunction that causes balance problems in dogs. If the feeling happens often, it could be a sign of a balance problem. While age does not inevitably trigger balance problems, many lifestyle and health factors may play a part.