Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesBalance DisordersNeurological ConditionsMedication CausesFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Balance Disorders
Neurological Conditions
Medication Causes
Frequently Asked Questions
Everyone experiences loss of balance at some point in their lives. However, loss of balance that occurs frequently can be a sign of an underlying health condition. It can also be a side effect of medication.
This article discusses symptoms associated with loss of balance, as well as potential causes and their treatment.
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Symptoms of Loss of Balance
The most obvious symptom of loss of balance is falling, or feeling like you are about to fall. However, depending on the underlying cause, other symptoms can also occur with loss of balance, such as:
What Causes Loss of Balance?
Maintaining balance requires three body systems to work together—vision, proprioception, and the vestibular system.
The visual system allows you to see where you are, and the obstacles around you. The proprioception system provides information about the position of your body through receptors in the joints of the body. The vestibular system is made up of structures in the inner ear and brain that process information about movements of the body.
Balance issues can also be a side effect of certain medications.
There are many different balance disorders that cause ongoing loss of balance.
What Causes a Balance Problem, and What Can You Do About It?
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common inner ear condition that causes vertigo.It develops when calcium crystals in the ear (otoconia) move out of place. Symptoms come on suddenly with certain head movements.
In addition to loss of balance, BPPV can cause:
Ménière’s Disease
Other symptoms of Ménière’s disease include:
While there’s no cure for this condition, symptoms can be treated with medications, dietary changes (limiting salt, caffeine, and alcohol), or injection of steroid medication.
Ear Inflammation or Infections
Inflammation or infections in the ear can lead to loss of balance. However, symptoms usually resolve once the inflammation or infection clears up, either on its own or with medication. These conditions are diagnosed with a physical exam of the inner ear using a device called an otoscope.
Two common examples are:
Loss of balance is a common symptom of many different neurological conditions. Examples include:
Diagnosing Neurological Conditions
Neurological conditions that can cause loss of balance are diagnosed through a variety of tests.
These can include:
Treatment of Neurological Conditions
Neurological conditions are treated with a variety of types of medications. These can include:
In some cases, neurological conditions are also treated with radiation or surgery.
Loss of Balance Can Lead to FallsFalling is a potentially dangerous side effect of loss of balance. Falls can lead to serious injuries, including broken bones or head injuries.
Loss of Balance Can Lead to Falls
Falling is a potentially dangerous side effect of loss of balance. Falls can lead to serious injuries, including broken bones or head injuries.
What Medications Can Cause Loss of Balance?
Loss of balance is a potential side effect of many medications.
Common types of drugs that can cause this symptom include:
See a healthcare provider if you are experiencing loss of balance on a regular basis. This symptom can make it unsafe for you to perform basic daily activities.
Summary
Loss of balance can be a symptom of an underlying health issue, such as a balance disorder affecting the inner ear, or a neurological condition. It can also be a side effect of certain drugs. Conditions that cause loss of balance are often treated with medications and physical therapy. Some might also require radiation or surgery.
A Word From Verywell
If you are experiencing frequent loss of balance, see your healthcare provider sooner than later. Early diagnosis of conditions that can cause this symptom typically leads to better outcomes. Addressing loss of balance proactively can also help prevent falls that can lead to serious injuries.
Balance issues sometimes resolve with treatment of the underlying cause. However, some conditions that cause loss of balance are not curable. Physical therapy can help improve balance with strengthening exercises, proprioception activities, and prescription of assistive devices (such as walkers or canes).
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.Balance disorders.The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy.Maintaining balance.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.Ménière’s disease.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures fact sheet.Harvard Health Publishing.How medications can affect your balance.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.Balance disorders.The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy.Maintaining balance.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.Ménière’s disease.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures fact sheet.Harvard Health Publishing.How medications can affect your balance.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.Balance disorders.The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy.Maintaining balance.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.Ménière’s disease.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures fact sheet.Harvard Health Publishing.How medications can affect your balance.
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.Balance disorders.
The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy.Maintaining balance.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.Ménière’s disease.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures fact sheet.
Harvard Health Publishing.How medications can affect your balance.
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