What is The Sense of Balance?

Balance issues typically fall into one of two categories: physical injuries or neurological and inner ear issues.

A person with vertigo or other forms of dizziness may have trouble coordinating their movements. Their brain may not be sending the right signals, and they may feel like the room is spinning.

Physical injuries, in contrast, usually cause movement issues in specific areas of the body.

Neurological and inner ear issues

Problems with the nervous system, the inner ear, or the circulatory system can make it difficult to coordinate movement.

Some symptoms include feeling:

• Anxious about walking or moving
• Confused about where the body is in space
• Dizzy
• Like the room is spinning
• Weakness or numbness on one side of the body

Physical injuries

Sometimes, a physical injury makes it difficult to move all or part of the body. Some symptoms include:

• A spinal cord injury that makes it difficult or impossible to move certain areas of the body
• Feeling unsteady on the feet
• Muscle weakness that causes a person to fall easily
• Pain when moving that makes it difficult to maintain balance 
• Strange sensations when moving

Chronic medical conditions

Numerous chronic and progressive diseases may affect balance and coordination.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common. 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.

Parkison’s disease, which also progressively affects balance, may cause a person to fall, shake, or feel off-balance.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), sometimes called Lou Gehrig’s disease, progressively damages nerve cells.

This makes voluntary movements, such as walking, more difficult. Balance problems may appear before other symptoms.

Treatment for chronic medical conditions vary. Most progressive disorders are not curable, but medication and rehabilitation may slow the disease.

Stroke

A strokeoccurs when blood flow to the brain temporarily stops or slows, often due to a blood clot or bleed. This can damage brain tissue and interfere with the brain’s ability to communicate with the body.

Some people have problems with balance during or after a stroke.

A stroke requires prompt emergency medical care. A person should seek urgent medical help if they experience numbness on one side of the body, a drooping face, and similar stroke symptoms.

Removing the blockage may reduce the risk of long-term brain damage. To recover from a stroke, a person may need medication and physical therapy.

Migraine

A migraine is a neurological headache that may affect vision, cause nausea, or trigger unusual visual or auditory sensations.

Some people experience vestibular migraines. These headaches affect the vestibular system, which is responsible for balance.

Migraine medications may ease symptoms, while some people also find relief from lifestyle changes.

Age

It is common for balance to decline as a person ages.

While age does not inevitably trigger balance problems, many lifestyle and health factors may play a part.

As people age, they may become more sedentary as their muscle mass declines. This can make it difficult for them to walk, which may induce balance issues.

Moreover, as a person ages, they may also find it more difficult to recover from injuries, which may aggravate preexisting balance issues.

Medication

Any medication that changes the way the brain functions can affect balance.

For example, sleeping medications may make people feel slower and sluggish, causing them to trip or feel dizzy.

Alcohol and drugs may also make it more difficult to walk or move without falling.

Almost any medicine can potentially trigger dizziness, though this is more common with certain drugs, including:

• Alcohol and illegal drugs
• Beta blockers
• Anti-anxiety medication
• Certain antibiotics
• Antidepressants
• Antipsychotic drugs
• sleeping pills

Sedentary Lifestyle

A sedentary lifestyle on its own will not cause severe balance issues. However, people who are generally inactive may find they have trouble with balance.

This may be especially true for older people or those with other conditions that affect balance.

Balance is a skill that requires practice. Regular physical activity and balance exercises may help a person improve their coordination.

Physical Injuries

Any physical injury can potentially affect balance, especially when it makes it more difficult to coordinate movement.

A person with good coordination may struggle to walk on crutches or a broken leg. Sometimes, injuries cause chronic pain or loss of strength, leading to longer-term balance problems.

Loss of Balance While Walking

People may lose their balance while walking if they trip, become distracted, or wear shoes that do not fit.

While everyone trips sometimes, it is not normal to frequently stumble or feel dizzy.

If a person finds they frequently lose balance while walking, they may consider talking to a doctor. They may have a balance disorder, such as a condition affecting the inner ear or brain.

Diagnosis Balance Problems