Adult Balance & Flexibility
Facts
• Dizziness and balance disorders can affect individuals of any age.
• More than 90 million people experience dysequilibrium or balance problems at some point in their life. (319 million people in the US – 3/10)
• Balance loss can be related to reduction in sensation, strength, flexibility, or appropriate reaction strategies.
• Balance problems can lead to injurious falls, if untreated.
• One half of the people who fall do so repeatedly, and falls are the number one cause of death from injury among those 65 and older.
Balance Defined (3 legged stool)
• Muscular System
• Vestibular System
o Inner Ear
o Cerebellum
• Visual System
Reasons for Balance Deficits
• Common Peripheral Vestibular Disorders
o Benign Paroxysmal Peripheral Vertigo (BPPV) – displacement of otoconia from macula into a semicircular canal. (A rapid change of head position resulting in acute vertigo and nystagmus that subsides in less than 2 minutes)
o Vestibular Neuritis – inflammation of the vestibular nerve, usually caused by a virus. (Dysequilibrium, spontaneous nystagmus, nausea, and severe vertigo persisting for 3 days)
o Meniere’s Disease – abnormal fluid pressure in the inner ear causing expansion of the scala media. (Sensation of fullness in ear, tinnitus [ringing in ear], sever acute vertigo, nausea, vomiting, and hear loss)
o Perilymph Fistula – opening between the middle and inner ear, allowing perilymph to leak into the inner ear. (Abrupt onset of hearing loss, with tinnitus and vertigo)
• Common Central Vestibular Disorders
o Cerebrovascular Accidents
o Multiple Sclerosis (Damage to myelin in the central nervous system and nerve fibers themselves – interferes with communication from brain and spinal cord to other parts of your body)
o Arnold-Chiari Malformation (Structurally defect of cerebellum)
o Migraine (Changes in the brainstem and its interactions with the trigeminal nerve, a major pain pathway. Imbalances in brain chemicals, including Serotonin. Migraines tend to decrease Serotonin levels and increases production of neuropeptides from the trigeminal system.)
• Common Visual Disorders
o Bitemporal Hemianopsia
o Homonymous Hemianopsia
o Cortically Blind
o Weakness in extraocular muscles
• Orthopedic Injuries
Prevention & Treatment
• Medications
• Exercise
o Physical Therapy
Habituation Adaptation / Compensation (balance & dizziness)
Gaze Stabilization
Balance Training
o Low-Impact Aerobics
o Walking Programs
o Tai Chi
o Yoga
o Nintendo Wii
• Diet & Lifestyle Change
o Avoid foods and beverages that have a high sugar or salt content.
o Reducing sodium or salt intake. (May help to decreases dizziness)
o Avoidance food and beverages with caffeine (Caffeine is a stimulant that can make tinnitus louder. Its diuretic properties also cause excessive urinary loss of body fluids.)
o Limit alcohol consumption (Alcohol can directly and adversely affect the inner ear by changing the volume and composition of its fluid.)
o Drinking adequate amounts of proper fluids, especially with exercise and in hot weather
o Avoid migraine triggers including foods containing amino acids tyramine (E.g. red wine, chicken liver, smoked meats, yogurt, chocolate, bananas, citrus fruits, figs, ripened cheses [cheddar & Brie], and nuts)
For more information call 615-969-9415