There are a number of factors that contribute to the amount of balance an individual has when they are standing or walking. Good balance needs a sensory input that is reliable from the person’s vision, inner ear balance and sense of movement and position for the legs and feet. Elderly individuals are more susceptible to numerous diseases affecting these systems, such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, which all cause problems with vision. Senses in your legs and feet are affected by diabetic peripheral neuropathy, as well as a slow decrease in the vestibular system.

Balance also depends upon having joint mobility and exceptional muscle strength. If you are leading a sedentary lifestyle, having arthritis, or bone and muscle disease, it will play a key part in mobility and strength of your muscles. Since balance is a rather complex function, there is not necessarily one specific cause attributed to an elderly person falling. An older individual with a history of imbalance or chronic bouts of dizziness is considered two to three times more prone to falling when compared to someone who does not have those problems.

There are numerous causes that can contribute to a feeling of dizziness and lightheadedness, as well as a mild sense of vertigo. It could be anything from a disorder of the inner ear, issues with the central nervous system, problems with the cardiac system, low blood sugar, hyper-ventilation, infection, side effects from medications or a bad interaction with medication and an inadequate or imbalanced diet. A thorough evaluation is often required in an attempt to be able to determine all of the potential causes and end up with a proper diagnosis.

When there is more than one problem present, the task can become that much more complicated. In these cases, the amount of trouble within one system may not be as severe, but the effects might combine with enough issues to cause a serious issue with your balance. An elderly person suffering from arthritis in their ankles and a mild form of degeneration in their vestibular functions may have ample balance until they go into an operation for removing their cataracts. The change in their vision throughout the healing process and the necessary adjustment to their new contacts or glasses may be sufficient enough to cause an imbalance that makes them fall.

Dizziness and balance disorders are common and may be dangerous! If you are experiencing issues with dizziness, lightheadedness, or are just feeling off-balanced, you should contact an audiologist or otolaryngologist (ENT) as soon as possible! Inner ear dysfunction may be to blame.

The center for the body’s balance is controlled in combination by the brain, eyes, and vestibular system of the inner ear. Having issues with dizziness or balance typically means another problem is present. A thorough medical and balance evaluation should be completed to help determine your underlying issue. While some causes may be treated with pharmaceutical, medical, or surgical intervention, others may require more intensive balance rehabilitation.

Defining dizziness is involved. Dizziness symptoms include everything from feeling a little lightheaded to off-balanced, feeling unsteady or as if you were falling. Dizziness is common, and may make you feel nauseous, faint, anxious, disoriented, or as if you were moving when standing still. Your vision may blur, you may feel a spinning sensation, or objects may appear to spin around you (vertigo). Some people may notice that difficulties worsen when changing head or body position. Make sure to thoroughly describe your dizziness to your audiologist or physician.

Dizziness and balance issues may be associated with something as simple as the presence of a foreign object in the outer ear canal, viral/bacterial infections, changes in blood pressure, or migraines. More invasive disorders can also be connected to dizziness and imbalance, including: vision disorders, vascular disorders, fistulas, Meniere’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and tumors (benign and malignant). Certain types of medications, considered ototoxic or vestibulotoxic, can be detrimental to the vestibular system causing imbalance or dizziness.

Vestibular evaluations (balance testing) may be recommended for some patients. These tests should aid in determining the cause, location, and symptoms. Most testing requires specialized devices, so a trip to the clinic may be necessary. In many cases you will be asked to follow a series of lights in various patterns with your eye movement.

You will probably also move through a variety of positions from lying down to sitting up while the evaluation is being completed. Let your audiologist or physician know of any back and neck difficulties prior to evaluation. You will probably feel dizzy during the assessment.

Here are Some Tips for the Day of Your Assessment.

• Do not eat heavily. If the assessment is early enough in the day and no other medical conditions will be affected, do not eat prior to testing. Bring crackers or another small snack in case the wait time to be seen runs long.
• Ask if electronystagmography (ENG) testing is going to be completed. If yes, do not wear make-up or lotions on the head, neck or face. A good connection to your skin needs to be maintained throughout the test. Make-up and lotions may affect the contact between the testing pads and your skin.
• Tell your audiologist about any major illnesses or back and neck difficulties you have. Other conditions may affect the way you are evaluated.
• If you feel sick during the assessment, let your provider know. They will assist you in any way they can.
• Have someone come with you. As your balance/dizziness may be affected, you may not feel up to driving or navigating your way around town following evaluation of dizziness and balance disorders.