What is balance disorders?

4 May 2021

It is a body disorder that makes us feel dizzy, floating, or spinning, whether we are walking, sitting, or lying down. 

Most balance disorders begin suddenly and with no apparent cause, although they can be triggered by ear infections, strokes, certain medications, low blood pressure, musculoskeletal or eye conditions. The risk of balance problems increases considerably with age.

Signs and symptoms Balance disorders

In addition to dizziness or vertigo, falling sensation, fainting, or floating, you may also experience the following symptoms:

  • Compromised blood pressure and heart rate.
  • Confusion or disorientation.
  • Depression and tiredness.
  • Intense diarrhea.
  • Fear, anxiety, or panic. 
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Blurry vision. 

Diagnosis and treatment Balance disorders

Balance disorders are difficult to diagnose, so your doctor will perform a physical examination and order a hearing and posturography test, laboratory studies, MRI and CT scans of the head, as well as a test to measure eye movements.

Treatment will depend on the cause of your condition, which may include balance retraining exercises, dietary and lifestyle changes, and prescription medications to help control symptoms, especially dizziness.

At the Neurological Center, a select group of highly professional and certified doctors in the various neurological specialties are ready to assist you with the quality and warmth that characterizes us.

Our mission is to provide you with comprehensive and multidisciplinary care programs for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of nervous system diseases, always focusing our activities on your safety.

Nervous system specialties

  • Neurology
  • Neurosurgery
  • Spine surgery
  • Pediatric neurosurgery
  • Neurophysiology
  • Neuro-rehabilitation
  • Neuro-pathology
  • Interventional neuro-radiology
  • Neuropsychology
  • Neuro-oncology
  • Neuro-otology
  • Epilepsy
  • Neuro-ophthalmology
  • Neuroimaging

Related centers and departments Balance disorders

Fuentes: 

  • mayoclinic.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • mscbs.gob.es
  • topdoctors.es
  • medigraphic.com
  • Cisneros PV, Carmona FB, Domínguez CNM, et al. Eficacia de la plataforma Cobs en trastornos de equilibrio, postura y marcha del adulto mayor. Rev Cub de Med Fis y Rehab. 2015;7(1):42-54.
  • Peregrina-Báez M, Morales-Cadena GM. Discapacidad generada por alteraciones del equilibrio en pacientes mayores de 65 años. Otorrinolaringología. 2021;66(1):26-33.
  • Hernández CD, Carmona FB, Cecilia DNM, et al. Protocolo de actuación de los equipos Thera Trainer en trastornos de equilibrio, postura y marcha del adulto mayor. Rev Cub de Med Fis y Rehab. 2017;9(1):1-14.

How can we help you?

    The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.