Balance disorder symptoms can be alarming. Not only can they throw off your sense of equilibrium, but also they can lead to falls, accidents, and injuries if you aren’t careful. If you’ve ever experienced vertigo, dizziness, or another balance disorder, you might ask yourself: what could possibly be causing this? The truth is that balance problems are quite common, especially among older adults. Understanding the cause of balance disorders is an important first step in getting the relief you need.
Causes of Balance Disorders
What Is a Balance Disorder?
First, what exactly qualifies as a balance disorder? Think of the term “balance disorder” as an all-encompassing identifier that can apply to most disorders causing dizziness, vertigo, and other balance issues. Generally speaking, the term applies to any disturbance that makes you feel unsteady, woozy, dizzy, or like you’re spinning. Typically, these disorders involve the inner ear, an important part of the vestibular system. However, balance disorders can also affect other parts of your brain, as well as your nervous system.
What Causes Balance Disorders?
Causes of balance disorders range widely. Some balance disorders are linked to viral or bacterial infections, while others can come on after head injuries like concussions. Additionally, eye injuries like eye muscle imbalance can cause balance difficulties. Certain medications can also result in balance problems, as can aging. So how do doctors determine the cause of individual balance disturbances? As you can see, the potential causes range far and wide. However, experts can link most balance disorders back to problems in one of four areas:
- Peripheral vestibular disorder, or disturbance in the labyrinth located in the inner ear
- Central vestibular disorder, indicating a problem in the brain or its connecting nerves
- Systemic disorder, indicating a problem of the body outside the head and brain
- Vascular disorder, or blood flow problems leading to imbalance
Identifying the Cause of Your Balance Disorder
While there are numerous potential causes of balance disorders, experts have several tactics to identify and address each cause. Make no mistake: diagnosing the cause of a balance disorder is a complicated task. First, there are many different kinds of balance disorders. Additionally, other undiagnosed medical conditions may also contribute to a balance disorder. Ultimately, if you’re struggling with dizziness or other balance issues, be sure to reach out to a doctor for an evaluation. To diagnose your unique case, doctors will typically start with a detailed medical history. From there, your doctor will need to perform a physical examination. To identify specific balance disorders, your doctor may run a series of non-invasive, in-office tests. While these tests vary based on your symptoms, many doctors rely on a few standard tests including a hearing examination, brain imaging studies, and inner ear tests. If your doctor is unable to identify the cause of your disorder after these tests, more specific tests may be in order.
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The causes of balance disorders are varied. So if you find yourself struggling with balance issues, it’s best to reach out to an expert right away. Today’s doctors have an extensive understanding of the vestibular system, and working with an expert will help you get the relief you need.
Do you have questions about balance disorders? Are you in need of medical advice and wondering where to turn? Reach out to the professionals at the National Dizzy & Balance Center. We specialize in diagnosing and treating vestibular disorders, including concussions and ongoing dizziness. Our talented team members can evaluate the extent of your concussion and design a personalized plan to relieve your symptoms. To learn more about our approach to dizziness management, please contact us online or by phone. Or if you’re ready to get started, schedule your free medical consultation today.
