Balance, Inner Ear Problems, and the Advantages of Chiropractic Care
Santa Barbara Chiropractor: 10 Most Frequent Questions
Managing and keeping body position while staying still or mobile is the most crucial function of good balance. Good balance helps a person to walk without staggering, arise from a sitting position without falling, and to climb stairs without stumbling.
Balance challenges are regularly reported by 9 percent of adults, aged 65 and older. Good balance is necessary in assisting an older person to stay independent, and to carry out daily chores and activities. Dizziness, “wooziness,” and problems with balance are suffered by a large majority individuals as they age.
The sensation by many that they, themselves, or the things around them are spinning is commonly referred to as “vertigo.” About 40 percent of individuals in the U.S. will experience dizziness that is severe enough to go to a doctor. And, among older adults, falls are the leading cause of severe injury and deaths.
Balance and Inner Ear Conditions
There are many types of balance disorders. Three customary types are benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, labyrinthitis, and Meniere’s disease. Of these three, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is the most common. It presents as a brief, intense sensation of vertigo when an individual changes head position. It can also be noticed when rolling over to the left or right in bed, upon arising in the morning, or when looking up for an object on a high shelf. This affliction is more probable in individuals 60 and older, however it can also occur in younger adults.
The causes for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo are varied. It may be created by an inner ear infection, head injury, or simply aging. Many times times a simple Epleys procedure can correct the problem, although it can be linked to other disease processes. Your Santa Barbara Chiropractor has many years of experience in this procedure.
Labyrinthitis is an infection or irritation of the inner ear that produces dizziness and loss of balance. It affects people|individuals of any age and the cause is currently undiscovered.
Ménière’s disease is a balance disorder that causes vertigo, inconsistent hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing or roaring in the ears), and a “full feeling” in the ear.
Even though those over 65 years are more likely to encounter balance disorders, age is not the only explanation for why these problems take place. Depending on the reason for the balance disorder, therapy will vary. Sometimes, there’s a simple resolution to balance challenges, such as simple exercises for vestibular rehab. A chiropractor is highly skilled in diagnosing and treating a number of balance disorders. Consult a health care professional, such as your Santa Barbara Chiropractor, if you have undergone, or are currently experiencing, dizziness, vertigo, or other problems with balance.
Not all balance disorders are created by challenges in the inner ear. Some may be associated with other parts of the body like the brain or heart. Other components, in addition to aging and ear infection, may include head injury, certain medicines, interferences with blood circulation, upper respiratory infections, viral infections, stress, fatigue, smoking, alcohol use, stroke, high or low blood pressure, and heart disease.
Balance disorders produced by high blood pressure can normally be managed by less sodium intake,cultivating a healthy weight, and exercise. To aid in making the symptoms of dizziness less severe, most often eating low-salt or salt-free foods, and staying away from caffeine and alcohol, will help.
Balance disorders are dangerous. It is the most prevalent cause of falls and fall-related injuries in older people. It is essential to have a possible balance disorder analysed and treated as soon as possible.
If you can answer “yes” to any of these questions, you should discuss the symptom(s) with your chiropractor:
• Do you have the feeling of being “unsteady?”
• Does the room seem to spin around you?
• Is there ever a time when you feel as if you are moving when you know you are standing still?
• Do you lose your balance and/or fall?
• Do you feel as if you are falling?
• Does your vision ever become “blurred?”
• Do you ever feel disoriented, or lose a sense of time, place or identify?
Don’t wait until it’s too late! Call your chiropractor today.
