Balance Disorders

Symptoms

• Dizziness or vertigo (a spinning sensation).
• Falling or feeling as if you are going to fall.
• Staggering when you try to walk.
• Light headedness, faintness, or a floating sensation.
• Blurred vision.
• Confusion or disorientation.

Causes

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. Problems that affect the skeletal or visual systems, such as arthritis or eye muscle imbalance, can also cause balance disorders. Your risk of having balance problems increases as you get older.

Unfortunately, many balance disorders start suddenly and with no obvious cause.