A human being is able to maintain his balance when several physiological systems work correctly. These physiological mechanisms include muscles, joints, bones, eyes, nerves, heart, blood vessels, and balancing organs in the inner ears. Balance issues can result when these mechanisms do not work properly. Balance issues can also result from a variety of medical illnesses.
If you are experiencing balance issues, there are chances that you have a condition called vertigo. Vertigo is a feeling in which one tends to feel that either they or their surroundings are spinning. Several conditions affecting the inner ear can cause vertigo, including Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), labyrinthitis, and Meniere's disease.
Labyrinthitis
Another condition that can cause balance issues is labyrinthitis, which happens when the network of fluid-filled canals in your inner ear becomes infected by a cold or flu virus or by bacteria. The labyrinth, which ordinarily aids in balance maintenance, enlarges, confusing your brain and resulting in vertigo. Additionally, you may get a fever, nausea, hearing loss, and tinnitus. In most cases, this issue goes off on its own, but in rare instances, you could require medication to eliminate the bacterial infection.
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Vestibular Neuronitis
Vestibular neuronitis can be caused when a virus attacks the vestibular nerve connecting the brain and inner ear. Due to the viral attack, the vestibular nerve swells up, making you feel dizzy. However, it does not cause hearing loss or tinnitus, which is the case in labyrinthitis. Vestibular neuronitis also goes away on its own; however, in case the symptoms are persistent and discomforting, it is better to consult a doctor.
Vestibular Migraine
Your vestibular nerve can also get inflamed due to food, stress, and other migraine triggers, which can occasionally induce vertigo. You can feel lightheaded, queasy, sensitive to sound and light, or even have ringing in your ears. Strangely, you might not actually be experiencing a headache. You address it by altering your eating, exercising, sleeping, and other routines. Your doctor may also recommend medication and physical treatment if you require it.
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Meniere's Disease
This rare condition that affects the inner ear can make symptoms of vertigo last longer periods, ranging up to several hours. In this condition, one also suffers from nausea and vomiting. It can cause hearing loss and tinnitus, affecting only one ear most of the time. Often thought of as a life-long condition, it usually starts at about 40 years of age but can also affect younger people.
Neurological Conditions
Many neurological conditions can also cause balance issues. Neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and cervical spondylosis can damage the communication between your neurological system and your brain.
Head Injury
Your equilibrium might be affected by a head injury in various ways. In addition to causing damage to the inner ear, which can result in vertigo, it can also impair your eyesight, which keeps you standing. Additionally, it could harm the areas of your brain that manage movement. If you are experiencing these issues, you must consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
