Balance problems

Balance problems

Who hasn't suffered from balance problems or a feeling of imbalance in their life?

If you suffer from a balance disorder, you may feel dizzy, lightheaded or as if you're going to faint. You may also have difficulty walking or standing.

Whether following a strong emotion, after lifting a little too fast or during an illness, dizziness and vertigo can suddenly appear and affect most of us.

In severe cases, balance disorders can lead to falls and injuries. They are a major cause of falls, particularly among the elderly. If you suspect you have a balance disorder, it's important to consult a doctor for an assessment.

What's the difference between dizziness and vertigo?

Many people use the terms "dizziness" and "vertigo" interchangeably, but they actually describe two different sensations.

Dizziness refers to a general feeling of lightheadedness or instability (as if the ground is beginning to move), or a slight headiness.

Vertigo, on the other hand, is a specific type of dizziness characterized by a sensation of rotation or tilting, i.e., the environment seems to rotate around us.

Systemic dizziness and dizziness may be associated with a variety of other symptoms: headaches, nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness, hearing loss, ringing in the ears, blurred vision, etc.

However, vertigo is often more severe and can last a long time.

How does a human being keep his balance?

Normally, we can maintain our balance through three systems in our body that send relevant information to the brain to situate us in our environment.

Muscles, joints and the inner ear all work together to help us balance.

Muscles keep us upright through contraction and tension.

Joints also contribute to balance by enabling us to move our limbs to maintain equilibrium.

The inner ear, which is responsible for our sense of balance, constantly monitors the position of our head and sends relevant information to the brain to situate us in our environment.

A balance disorder occurs when one or more of these systems fail to function properly.