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The vestibular apparatus lining in the inner ear balances the body. It is mainly made up of three semicircular canals and two otolith organs, also known as the utricle and the saccule. The vestibular apparatus is located in the internal ear, above the cochlea and it also helps in maintaining body balance.
The vestibular system organs that help you maintain balance are deep within your inner ear. They include three semicircular canals and two otolith organs within the vestibule (the utricle and saccule).
Your sense of balance relies on a series of signals to your brain from several organs and structures in your body, specifically your eyes, ears, and the muscles and touch sensors in your legs.
Certain conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, or problems with your vision, thyroid, nerves, or blood vessels can cause dizziness and other balance problems.
Stand up/sit downs, heel raises, leg lifts, single-leg stances, back bends, tree poses, side squats, and lunges, along with many other movements, can help you regain balance over time. Some balance exercises can even be performed while seated.
Common Causes of Feeling Off Balance but Not Dizzy
Balance issues may result from problems within the inner ear, circulatory system, or nervous system. Older adults are more prone to balance problems due to natural aging, but balance issues can affect people of all ages.
Some drugs that work on motion sickness may be used. This includes drugs belonging to the classes antihistaminics and anticholinergics. Some calcium channel blockers like Verapamil and Nimodipine and GABA modulators like gabapentin and Baclofen may also help.
Muscle weakness and unstable joints can contribute to your loss of balance. Difficulties with eyesight also can lead to unsteadiness. Medications. Loss of balance or unsteadiness can be a side effect of medications.
The cerebellum — also called the "little brain" because it looks like a small version of the cerebrum — is responsible for balance, movement, and coordination. The pons and the medulla, along with the midbrain, are often called the brainstem.
Vestibular apparatus help us to keep our body balance..
Your inner ear is the innermost part of your hearing system and home to your vestibular (balance) system. It contains the cochlea, which helps you hear, and the semicircular canals and otolith organs that help you balance.
The vestibulocochlear nerve (8th cranial nerve) is a sensory nerve. It is made up of two nerves, the cochlear, which transmits sound and the vestibular which controls balance.
Treatments for Imbalance
Treatment for imbalance will depend on the cause but may include medications or surgery. Your physician may also prescribe vestibular rehabilitation therapy, which combines head, body, and eye exercises to reduce the dizziness and nausea caused by imbalance.
Untreated, vitamin B-12 deficiency can lead to neurological problems, such as persistent tingling in the hands and feet or problems with balance. It can lead to mental confusion and forgetfulness because vitamin B-12 is necessary for healthy brain function.
Balance Exercise
1. Feet apart: Stand with feet about shoulder-width apart, eyes open, and hold steady for 10 seconds, working your way up to 30 seconds. If you find yourself swaying or reaching for the wall or counter frequently, just keep working on this exercise until you can do it with minimal swaying or support.
If you are experiencing dizziness, lightheadedness, a spinning sensation, confusion, or blurred vision the first step is to speak with your primary care physician. He or she will begin the process of testing to determine the cause and may refer you to a local neurologist for some aspects of treatment.
Your neurologist or movement disorder specialist will perform a history and physical examination of your eye movements, cranial nerves, speech, coordination, gait, and sensation. They may order imaging including MRIs or CT scans to determine a neurological cause of your balance symptoms.
You may get dizzy, lightheaded or nauseated. You may feel unsteady while standing and walking — which may cause you to fall. The room may seem like it's spinning or you may feel like you're in free fall, even when you're sitting or lying down. "Many different things can make you feel like you're off-balance," says Dr.
Balance exercises can help you keep your balance at any age. They can make you feel more secure. Older adults especially need balance exercises to help prevent falls. The risk of falling goes up after age 65.
Vestibular balance disorders can affect your balance and make you feel disoriented. Common causes include inner ear problems, medicines, infections, and traumatic brain injury. These disorders can occur at any age. But they are most common as you get older.
1-Leg Stand
Alternate legs and try to do this 3-5 times on each leg. As this becomes easier, challenge yourself by doing other tasks while standing on 1 leg, such as brushing your teeth, talking on the phone, or while doing the dishes. Balance exercises can easily be integrated into your daily routine this way.