Particularly as you age, it becomes more and more important to maintain adequate balance.
Good balance, at least in your younger years, consisted mainly of having strong core muscles. Other factors creep in, however, as you age. The ability to stand on your feet may be compromised by poor vision, weakened muscles, certain medications, and more. As a result, physical balance issues can arise.
Must one constantly be on the verge of teetering and tottering as they age? Not necessarily. If you or a loved one is having problems with balance issues, it’s important to get to the root cause. The aging process may only be part – or none – of the problem.
Let’s look at a handful of the most common problems that involve balance as a person ages.
Ramsay Hunt Syndrome
Older adults may be more prone to a skin condition caused by a virus and referred to as shingles. The facial nerves near the ear can be affected by the shingles virus in some cases. This goes by the name of Ramsay Hunt syndrome.
The loss of hearing and/or ear pain frequently accompanies people with Ramsay Hunt syndrome-induced vertigo. Medical help should be immediately sought if these symptoms are experienced.
Chronic Conditions
Balance problems can be the result of some chronic conditions. You might find balance difficult, for example, if you have eye problems.
Balance can also be impacted by long-term nervous system medical conditions. Just to name a few: multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.
Uneasiness can also be contributed to by specific medications taken for certain chronic illnesses like heart problems, arthritis, and more.
Labyrinthitis
Balance problems can result from labyrinthitis because the inner ear becomes inflamed and infected. Frequently, but not always, this is linked with the flu as the result of an ear infection.
Meniere’s Disease
A relatively common balance problem, Meniere’s Disease can cause people to experience sporadic hearing loss, ringing in the ears, and vertigo. One common symptom is when your ear feels “full”. The risk of falls is increased because balance can be affected by hearing loss.
BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo)
One of the most common types of balance disorders is BPPV, according to the NIH (National Institutes of Health). Though you may not be familiar with this disorder, you should be aware of and watch for its primary symptom – particularly if you’re over 60 years of age. The symptom? When you move your head, you experience extreme vertigo. Even rolling over in bed can create this feeling. Aging, ear infections, head injuries, and more can cause the inner ear disturbance that is responsible here.
Balance Issues? Live in a Safe Environment
At our retirement community, residents can live in a safe environment, regardless of minor physical limitations. If your loved one has balance issues, our community can provide the utmost in attentive care and security, courtesy of a skilled and knowledgeable team of professionals. What’s more, we have mental and physical health programs that encourage and assist with a positive attitude and well-being.
If you would like to find out more about our retirement community, you can call 240-253-6616 with leasing and sales questions. Please talk to a representative at 301-766-0066 for other inquiries. We also have a convenient online form option you can use. Fill it out, send it in, and we will respond.
Your best opportunity to see and experience all we have to offer is to schedule a tour. We look forward to meeting you.
