Five conditions that could be the source of your balance issues

There are many issues that can affect your balance, and many of them cause symptoms like dizziness, vertigo and falls. Often, these symptoms occur together. They can also lead to some serious injuries. 

For instance, it’s reported that 1 out of 5 falls leads to a serious injury like a fracture or concussion. Working with a physical therapist is an effective way to determine what condition is causing your balance issues. These specialists also offer vestibular rehab that can help you address many balance problems. 

These five conditions may be causing your balance issues

A few of the conditions that often lead to balance problems include: 

1. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) — This is the leading cause of vertigo in adults. BPPV occurs when crystals in the inner ear move into the semicircular canals. This condition often causes vertigo when the head is tilted back or when turning over in bed. 

2. Strokes — A stroke happens when the blood flow to part of the brain is blocked. When a stroke affects the balance center of the brain, it can cause balance problems. 

3. Osteoarthritis — Your body relies on muscles, joints and other structures for balance when you’re moving. Osteoarthritis can decrease your ability to move in a stable way. 

4. Vestibular neuritis — A condition that occurs when the nerves in the balance portion of the inner ear are inflamed. Vestibular neuritis is often caused by an inner ear infection. 

5. Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) — This condition often occurs with other types of vertigo. It’s often triggered by watching objects move or reading. Environments in which there are a lot of moving objects, like malls, can often lead to PPPD. 

Find help for your balance issues with vestibular rehab from Armor PT

Tired of living with the negative effects of balance issues? Our vestibular rehab specialists at Armor Physical Therapy can help you manage these effects. We can do a free screening to pinpoint which condition is affecting your balance. Our physical therapists can then build you a personalized vestibular rehab plan designed to decrease your symptoms and improve your balance. 

Feeling too unstable to come to one of our clinics for therapy? That’s OK! We offer therapy services that allow you to get help right from home, including at-home care and virtual therapy. 

Contact us today for more information about our treatment options for balance and gait problems or to schedule an initial appointment.