Cincinnati Chiropractor

At my Cincinnati Chiropractic Clinic I treat many seniors who are challenged by balance problems. In fact, dizziness, “wooziness,” and other balance-related conditions affect at least 9% of adults, aged 65 and over. Good balance is essential, of course, in aiding elders to remain independent and to avoid falling down and sustaining injuries that are commonly extremely serious or even fatal. But, what you may not know is that falls contribute to a large percentage of work-related injuries for individuals younger than 65 years of age, including individuals in their twenties and thirties. That’s right! No one is exempt from to balance problems, no matter how young they may be. In fact, those who work in”precarious locations” like construction workers, roofers, oil platform employees, windows cleaners, or any other place where a ladder is involved are far more likely to sustain serious injury if their balance is “off.”

The chief action of good balance is to aid us in managing and maintaining our body position, whether standing still or moving, and whether on the ground or high up on a platform. Good balance aids us in walking without staggering, arising from a sitting position without swaying, and in climbing stairs without missing a step. To sum it up, then, good balance is crucial to our health and well-being.

What is commonly surprising to some people is that they could have a balance abnormality without being aware of how serious it is. On occasion an individual is able to “shake off” a dizzy sensation and the sensation may not come back for a while. However when sudden dizziness happens at a critical moment, it is too late to shake it off and a fall is most likely inevitable.

Vertigo is the medical term for the sensation that you, or objects around you, are spinning. About forty percent of people in the U.S. will have at least one episode of dizziness that is serious enough to seek out a health professional, such as your Chiropractor at Cincinnati Chiropractic. However, if you are involved in any of the activities listed above, having a chiropractor check your balance before an episode of dizziness, make corrections if needed, and then assist you in maintaining good balance, may save you from serious injury or worse.

Balance disorders are risky at any age. If you believe that you may have a possible balance disorder, it is extremely important for you to be diagnosed and treated without delay. Often guidelines are helpful. Therefore, if you can answer “yes” to any of the following questions, even if the experience is seldom or infrequent, you should discuss the symptom(s) with a chiropractor as soon as possible:

• Have you experienced a feeling of being “unsteady?”

• Has the room seemed to spin around you?

• Has there ever a time when you felt as if you were moving when you knew you were standing still?

• Have you lost your balance and/or fallen down?

• Have you ever felt as if you were falling?

• Has your vision ever become “blurred?”

• Have you ever felt disoriented, or lost a sense of time, place or identity?

Remember: Balance problems are not specific to a particular age group. Our falling down is an ever-present possibility from the time we learn to walk until we take our final step All the more reason to have your balance checked if you work in a job that makes your falling down a “critical” issue. Don’t wait until you sustain a work injury! If you’re in the Cincinnati area, give Cincinnati Chiropractic a call today!

Technorati Tags: balance, chiropractic, chiropractor, dizziness, falls, vertigo

Approximately 9 percent of adults, age 65 and older, disclose having problems with balance. Good balance is essential in helping an older person to stay independent, and perform daily chores and activities. Many older people, however, suffer from dizziness, “wooziness,” and problems with balance.

The term, vertigo, refers to the experience that a number of people have that they, themselves, or their environment is spinning. About 40 percent of people nationwide will encounter dizziness that is serious enough to go seek out a health professional. And, among older adults, falls are the most widespread cause of serious injury and deaths.

Balance and Inner Ear Challenges

Three types of balance disorders that are most familiar are benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, labyrinthitis, and Meniere’s disease, although there are a variety of other kinds of balance disorders. Of these three, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is the most common. It occurs as a brief, intense experience of vertigo when a person changes head position. It can also be experienced when rolling over to the left or right in bed, upon getting out of bed in the morning, or when looking up for an object on a high shelf. This problem is more likely to occur in adults 60 and older, however it can also take place in younger individuals.

There are an assortment of reasons for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Inner ear infection, head injury, or simply aging can produce the problem. While it can be associated with other disease processes, frequently a simple Epleys procedure can correct the problem. Your Chiropractor has many years of experience in this procedure.

Labyrinthitis is an infection or iagitation of the inner ear that produces dizziness and loss of balance. It affects adults of any age and the cause is currently undiscovered.

Ménière’s disease is a balance disorder that produces 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 reason these afflictions take place, but older persons are more likely to encounter balance disorders. Therapy for balance disorders varies based upon the reason. A chiropractor is well-educated in assessing and treating many of the causes. On occasion, even simple exercises for vestibular rehab can be the solution to balance challenges. Consult a health care professional, such as your Chiropractor, if you have experienced, or are currently experiencing, dizziness, vertigo, or other challenges with balance.

Although some balance disorders are produced by problems in the inner ear, other disorders may involve another area of the body, such as the brain or the heart. Other influences, in addition to aging and ear infection, may involve head injury, certain medicines, interferences with blood circulation, upper respiratory infections, viral infections, stress, fatigue, smoking, alcohol use, stroke, high or low blood pressure, and heart disease.

Balance disorders created by high blood pressure can normally be managed by less sodium intake,sustaining a healthy weight, and exercise. To aid in making the symptoms of dizziness less severe, frequently eating low-salt or salt-free foods, and staying away from 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 extremely important to have a suspected balance disorder analysed and treated as soon as possible.

If you can answer “yes” to any of the questions listed below, 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.

Technorati Tags: balance, chiropractic, chiropractor, dizziness, falls, vertigo