The vestibular system is the part of the inner ear involved in balance. There are 91 conditions associated with dizziness, fatigue, loss of balance and muscle weakness. Fortunately, there are many ways of managing the common causes of mobility loss for seniors. Therapists trained in balance problems design a customized program of balance retraining and exercises. In some cases, falls can be fatal. But what can cause it? Learn about these and other possible causes … To compensate, the brain assigns another brain area — an area used for thinking — to take over. The most common causes associated with this are listed below: Drop in Blood Pressure: Drop in blood pressure causes diminished blood supply to the brain which can cause a person to feel off balance when walking. It is common to lose balance, stumble, and fall with a foot drop. Acoustic neuroma — a non-cancerous growth on the vestibular nerve — which connects the inner ear to your brain can also cause vertigo. Loss of mobility can be problematic because it makes it more difficult to retain independence and increases the risk of having a dangerous fall. The links below will provide you with more detailed information on these medical conditions from the WebMD Symptom Checker and help provide a better understanding of causes … A feeling of loosening of the footwear may cause discomfort and dragging of the affected foot while walking. For people who don’t have PD, balance is automatic, a reflex. ; The prevalence of gait and balance disorders is around 10 % between the ages of 60 and 69 years and more than 60% in those over 80 years []. Click here to search for a vestibular specialist in your area. 1. Weakness in the muscles of the foot and toes may result in frequent tripping. A disorder affecting your inner ear. For older adults, gait and balance problems can cause you to fall. This may be secondary to anemia, excessive blood loss, iron deficiency and side effects of certain medications. 2; Tripping. As seniors age, they often find it difficult to move around as freely as they would wish to. Epidemiology. Some medications can also contribute. Loss of balance or equilibrium is a symptom not a diagnosis. The most common causes of imbalance without dizziness result from dysfunction of the muscles, joints and peripheral nerves (proprioceptive system) or the central nervous system . There can be many other causes of loss of balance. Disequilibrium, the loss of balance or feeling unsteady when you walk, is also a condition many people refer to as being dizzy. This can affect the inner ear causing dizziness. The most common risk factors for mobility impairment are older age, low physical activity, obesity, strength or balance impairment, and chronic diseases such as diabetes or arthritis. Your treatment may include: Balance retraining exercises (vestibular rehabilitation). Treatment depends on the cause of your balance problems. Here are the most likely causes of bad balance. 2, 3; Falls. Imbalance means the inability to keep your balance, especially when standing or walking. But Parkinson’s affects the basal ganglia (a part of the brain essential to balance). Difficulties with balance and walking are linked to the brain changes that take place with PD. Many different conditions can cause a loss of balance, including inner ear infections and Ménière’s disease. Viral infections can directly affect the inner ear. This can lead to injury, loss of independence, and a change in lifestyle. Indirectly : Severe nasal congestion caused by nasal allergy, respiratory tract infections and other causes can block the tube that goes to the inner ear. 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