Balance Problems

Types

Vertigo (A false sense of motion or spinning)

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) - A problem of the inner ear caused by particles that break off and accumulate behind a membrane in the posterior canal. Read more.

Inflammation in the inner ear - Neuronitis or labyrinthitis generally subsides and clears up on its own. Although the cause of this condition is unknown, it may be a viral infection.

Meniere's disease - This disease is characterized by excessive buildup of fluid in the inner ear characterized by sudden episodes of vertigo lasting 30 minutes to an hour or longer and buzzing, ringing or a feeling of fullness in the ear and fluctuating hearing loss.

Vestibular migraine - People who experience a vestibular migraine are very sensitive to motion. Dizziness and vertigo caused by a vestibular migraine may be triggered by turning the head quickly, being in a crowded or confusing place, driving or riding in a vehicle. It may cause feelings of imbalance or unsteadiness, hearing loss, "muffled" hearing, or ringing in the ears (tinnitus).

Acoustic neuroma - An acoustic neuroma is a noncancerous (benign) growth on the acoustic nerve, which connects the inner ear to the brain. Symptoms of an acoustic neuroma may include dizziness, loss of balance, hearing loss and tinnitus. See information on treatment of acoustic neuromas.

Motion sickness - Riding on a roller coaster or in boats, cars or even airplanes may occasionally make people dizzy.

Feeling of Faintness (Presyncope)

Drop in blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension) - A significant drop in systolic blood pressure — the higher number in a blood pressure reading — may result in light-headedness or a feeling of faintness. It can occur after sitting up or standing too quickly.

Inadequate output of blood from the heart - Conditions such as partially blocked arteries (atherosclerosis), disease of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy), abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) or a decrease in blood volume, may cause inadequate blood flow from the heart.

Loss of Balance (Disequilibrium)

Inner ear (vestibular) problems - Abnormalities in the inner ear can cause a sensation of floating or a heavy head — and unsteadiness in the dark.

Balance disorders - Failing vision and nerve damage in the legs (peripheral neuropathy) are common in older adults and may result in difficulty maintaining balance.

Joint and muscle problems - Muscle weakness and osteoarthritis, the type of arthritis that involves wear and tear of the joints, can contribute to loss of balance when it involves weight-bearing joints.

Medications - Loss of balance can be a side effect from certain medications, such as seizure drugs, sedatives and tranquilizers — or an indication of overmedication.

Lightheadedness

Vestibular disorders - These abnormalities of the inner ear can lead to illusions of motion and a sensation of floating.

Anxiety disorders - Certain anxiety disorders such as panic attacks and a fear of leaving home or being in large, open spaces (agoraphobia) may cause lightheadedness.

Hyperventilation - Abnormally rapid breathing that often accompanies anxiety disorders may cause a feeling of light-headedness.