Health problems, medications, and environmental hazards can throw off balance and increase your risk of falling.
As we age, our balance deteriorates, putting us in danger. This problem reflects a mix of issues that predispose us to falls, that are a significant explanation for hip fractures, head injuries and disability.
What is balance?
Your balance is controlled by a miraculous system – one which involves your entire body.
“Your eyes inform you where you’re in space. Balance organs in your ears read your head movements. Nerves send details about your body's position. Your eyes, ears And all of those signals from the nerves are processed by your brain, which then sends messages back to your sensory nerves, muscles, and joints that can help you walk, maintain your gaze while moving. are, or may catch themselves after tripping.
These different parts of our balance system are likely to decline as we age. “Vision and hearing don't work as well as they used to, nerve messages can be distorted, muscles shrink and weaken, joints break down, and our brain can't adjust quickly enough to maintain balance. ” says Dr. Rauch.
Risks of balance related to health
Many health conditions can impair balance. Here are some common culprits.
Vision problems. Eye diseases can reduce your ability to speak your location to the brain. Three conditions specifically change into more common with age: cataracts (cloudy eye lenses), glaucoma (which causes vision loss), and macular degeneration (which destroys central vision).
Internal conditions of the ear. Some disorders can disrupt limb balance and trigger the feeling of spinning. Three common conditions are benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (attributable to a loose ear crystal), inner ear infection, and Meniere's disease (during which fluid accumulation causes pressure and damage).
Neuropathy. This kind of nerve damage, often attributable to diabetes or a pinched nerve within the spine, causes tingling, numbness, or pain within the limbs and your brain's ability to feel your legs and feet. Limits capability.
Foot conditions. Anything that affects the best way you walk threatens your balance, whether it's a heel problem or a fallen (painful) arch.
Orthostatic hypotension. This means your blood pressure drops too low whenever you rise up, which might make you are feeling dizzy and collapse. It becomes more common with age and generally is a side effect of medicines.
Mild cognitive impairment. This subtle but noticeable change in memory and considering skills is typically a precursor to dementia. The condition can affect your attention, response time, and skill to grasp where you’re in space.
Balance risks related to medication
Many drugs could make you drowsy and make you lose your balance. These include
- Some antidepressants
- Medicines to treat anxiety, comparable to benzodiazepines
- Antihistamines
- Blood pressure medications, comparable to ACE inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs), and beta blockers
- Diabetes medications, comparable to insulin, glipizide (Glucotrol), and glyburide (Diabeta, Glycinase)
- Medicines to treat irregular heartbeats
- Prescription pain medications, comparable to opioids
- Sleep medications, comparable to sedatives and hypnotics.
Try this balance exercise.
Stand straight along with your feet together and your arms at your sides. Bend your right knee, lift that foot several inches off the ground, and balance in your left leg. Hold, then lower to the starting position. Now try the exercise along with your left leg. Repeat each exercises 10 times. Exercise photo by Michael Carroll |
Threats to ecological balance
Hazards in your environment threaten your balance and could cause you to trip and fall. Note the next:
external threats, Such as icy roads, uneven pavements, poorly lit roads or parking lots, roads blocked by bushes or large tree roots.
internal threats, Such as cluttered floors, throw rugs, poorly lit hallways or stairs, furniture that blocks your way, extension cords, loose carpets, loose handrails, slippery bathroom floors, broken steps, and tile floors. .
Pets that may get underfoot, Like cats and small dogs.
ill-fitting shoes that prevent you from feeling the bottom properly; Like shoes which are too loose or squishy.
what are you able to do
There are many things you may do to enhance your balance and reduce your risk of falling. Start at home: Get rid of hazards and add anti-slip equipment. Dr. Rauch advises, “Install grab bars near tubs and toilets, non-slip treads in areas that get wet, night lights so you don't stumble around in the dark, and handrails that can support your body weight.” ” advises Dr. Rauch.
Ask your doctor if you’ve gotten health problems or medications that increase your risk of falling. Ask when you might profit from physical therapy, and if a walking aid (comparable to a cane or rollator) might improve your balance.
Wear supportive shoes with laces to maintain them in your feet.
And improve your balance skills by safely difficult your balance. “Stand on one foot when you brush your teeth in the morning, then the other foot when you brush your teeth at night – hold onto the sink counter for balance. Use the stairs instead of the elevator. And exercise.” : Walk, cycle, do tai chi or yoga or dance,” Dr. Rauch urges. “Use your balance, because there isn’t a query that good balance is a proposition to make use of or lose.”
Photo: © kali9/Getty Images