While the commercial has been repeated so often that it has become something of a punchline, it reflects a real problem for close to 15 percent of American adults, according to the National Institutes of Health. That’s more than 30 million people who reported a balance problem or dizziness in the last year.
Balance disorders is the formal name for the affliction, defined as a condition in which the afflicted feels unsteady or dizzy in its mild form or has the sensation of spinning in its more severe cases (also described as vertigo). This feeling can be experienced while lying down, standing or sitting, or while in motion. It’s described as feeling like you may be tipping over, spinning, floating or moving. It’s a condition that four in 10 Americans may experience at some point in their lives as a serious condition that may require a doctor visit.
There are many reasons why someone would experience a balance problem. They can be caused by an imbalance in the inner ear or brain, a general health condition like low blood pressure or an infection, arthritis, eye muscle imbalance, a head injury, or as the result of ingesting certain medicines. Obviously, it can complicate life to the point of debilitation, and any prolonged issues have psychological ramifications.
The Symptoms
Balance problems are typically associated with falling or the feeling like you’re going to fall, dizziness, a lightheaded or floating sensation, fainting, blurred vision, and, in some cases, disorientation or confusion. They may also bring nausea or vomiting, changes in heart rate and blood pressure, diarrhea, anxiety, or outright fear and panic. When the symptoms come and go, they often can lead to fatigue and depression.