Chiropractor Santa Barbara on Balance, Inner Ear Problems, and the Value of Chiropractic Adjustments

Santa Barbara Chiropractor: 10 Most Frequent Questions

Chiropractor Santa Barbara knows that good balance is essential for an individual to be able to manage and keep body position while in motion or remaining still. Good balance helps a person to walk without wobbling, arise from a sitting position without slipping, and to climb stairs without slipping.

balance problems are regularly disclosed by 9 percent of adults, aged 65 and older. Good balance is vital in aiding an older person to stay independent, and to carry out daily chores and activities. Dizziness, “wooziness,” and difficulties with balance are suffered by a large majority people as they age.

The experience by some people that they, themselves, or their environment is spinning is called “vertigo.” About 40 percent of people nationwide will have an incidence of dizziness that is consequential enough to go to a doctor. And, among older adults, falls are the most widespread cause of severe injury and deaths.

Balance and Inner Ear Challenges

There are a variety of balance disorders. Three customary types are benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, labyrinthitis, and Meniere’s disease. Of these three, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is the most prevalent. Its symptoms encompass a brief, intense sensation of vertigo with a change in head position, when rolling over to the left or right in bed or when getting out of bed, or when looking up for an object on a high shelf. This problem is more probable in people 60 and older, although it can also happen in younger individuals.

There are diverse reasons for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Inner ear infection, head injury, or simply aging can produce the problem. Many times times a simple Epleys procedure can eliminate the problem, though it can be linked to other disease processes. Your Santa Barbara Chiropractor has many years of experience in this procedure.

Labyrinthitis is an infection or irritation of the inner ear that creates dizziness and loss of balance. It affects adults of any age and the cause is unknown.

Ménière’s disease is a balance disorder that causes vertigo, hearing loss that comes and goes, tinnitus (ringing or roaring in the ears), and a “full feeling” in the ear.

Age is not the only cause for why these problems occur, but older persons are more likely to undergo balance disorders. Treatment for balance disorders varies depending upon the reason. A chiropractor is well-educated in assessing and treating a large majority of the causes. On occasion, even simple exercises for vestibular rehab can be the answer to balance challenges. Make an appointment with a health care professional, such as your Santa Barbara Chiropractor, if you have experienced, or are currently experiencing, dizziness, vertigo, or other challenges with balance.

Not all balance disorders are created by problems in the inner ear. A small number may involve other regions of the body such as the brain or heart. Other factors, in addition to aging and ear infection, may involve head injury, certain medicines, challenges with blood circulation, upper respiratory infections, viral infections, stress, fatigue, smoking, alcohol use, stroke, high or low blood pressure, and heart disease.

Balance disorders produced by high blood pressure can generally be managed by less sodium intake,maintaining a healthy weight, and exercise. To assist in making the symptoms of dizziness less severe, generally eating low-salt or salt-free foods, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol, will help.

Balance disorders are dangerous. It is the most prevalent cause of falls and fall-related injuries in older people. It is crucial to have a suspected balance disorder diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.

If you can answer “yes” to any of the following questions, you should discuss the symptom(s) with your chiropractor:

• Do you have the feeling of being “unsteady?”

• Does the room seem to spin around you?

• Is there ever a time when you feel as if you are moving when you know you are standing still?

• Do you lose your balance and/or fall?

• Do you feel as if you are falling?

• Does your vision ever become “blurred?”

• Do you ever feel disoriented, or lose a sense of time, place or identify?

Don’t wait until it’s too late! Call your chiropractor today.

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