Cincinnati Chiropractor

At my Cincinnati Chiropractic Clinic I treat a lot of elders who are affected by balance problems. In fact, nine percent of adults, aged 65 and over, have episodes of dizziness, “wooziness,” and other balance-related challenges. Good balance is extremely important, of course, in helping elders to remain independent and to avoid falling down and incurring injuries that are frequently very serious or even fatal. But, you may be surprised to hear that falls produce a large portion of work-related injuries for individuals under 65 years of age, including those in their twenties and thirties. That’s right! Balance difficulties can occur at any age. In fact, those who work at “dangerous heights” 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 isn’t good.

The essential action of good balance is to aid us in managing and maintaining our body position, whether we are standing still or moving, and whether we are on the ground or high up on a platform. Good balance helps us to walk without faltering, arise from a sitting position without swaying, and to climb stairs without slipping. In other words, good balance is vital to our health and well-being.

What come as a surprise to you is that you could have a balance dysfunction without realizing how threatening it may be. Often times a person is able to “shake off” a dizzy feeling and it may not reoccur for a while. However when sudden dizziness comes about at a consequential time, it is too late to shake it off and a fall is often unpreventable.

When you have the sensation that you, individually, are spinning or that things around you are moving, it is called “vertigo.” Close to 40 percent of people in the U.S. will have at least one incidence of dizziness that is serious enough to seek out a health professional, such as your Chiropractor in Cincinnati. But, if you are involved in any of the activities listed above, it is an extremely good idea for you to see a chiropractor to have your balance checked prior to an acute episode of dizziness, rather than as a response to such an episode. Why? Because as a chiropractor, I can not only check your balance, and make adjustments if needed, but can assist you in maintaining good balance in the future. And, naturally, having good balance will likely save you from serious injury or worse.

Balance disorders at any age are serious. It is vital for you to be diagnosed and treated quickly if you feel as if you may have a possible balance disorder. To help to make your decision easier 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?

It is important for you to remember that 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 it’s too late! If you’re in the Cincinnati area, give me a call. I can help!

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

Balance difficulties are often reported by 9 percent of adults, aged 65 and older. Good balance is vital in assisting an older person to stay independent, and perform daily chores and activities. Dizziness, “wooziness,” and difficulties with balance are experienced by a large majority people as they age.

The term, vertigo, refers to the experience that some people have that they, themselves, or the things around them are spinning. About 40 percent of people nationwide will experience dizziness that is serious enough to go seek medical assistance. And, among older adults, falls are the most widespread cause of extreme injury and deaths.

Balance and Inner Ear Conditions

Three types of balance disorders that are most prevalent are benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, labyrinthitis, and Meniere’s disease, but there are quite a few other types of balance disorders. Of these three, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is the most prevalent. Its symptoms include a brief, intense experience of vertigo with a change in head position, when rolling over to the left or right in bed or when getting out of bed, or when looking up for an object on a high shelf. This affliction is more disposed in people 60 and older, but it can also happen in younger individuals.

The reasons for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo are varied. It may be created by an inner ear infection, head injury, or simply aging. Many times times a simple Epleys procedure can fix the condition, although it can be connected with other disease processes. 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 people|individuals of any age and the cause is unknown.

Ménière’s disease is a balance disorder that creates vertigo, hearing loss irregular, tinnitus (ringing or roaring in the ears), and a “full feeling” in the ear.

Though people who are older are more likely to experience balance disorders, age is not the only cause for why these problems occur. Therapy for balance disorders varies based upon the reason. A chiropractor is well-educated in assessing and treating many of the causes. Not infrequently, even simple exercises for vestibular rehab can be the answer to balance challenges. Call a health care professional, such as your Chiropractor, if you have experienced, or are currently experiencing, dizziness, vertigo, or other abnormalities with balance.

Not every balance disorders are produced by complications in the inner ear. A few may include other areas of the body like the brain or heart. Head injury, stroke, certain medicines, circulation challenges, upper respiratory infections and other viral infections, stress, fatigue, smoking, alcohol use,  high or low blood pressure, and heart disease are all factors that, in addition to aging and ear infection, may create balance disorders.

Balance disorders produced by high blood pressure can normally be managed by less sodium intake,maintaining a healthy weight, and exercise. To assist in making the symptoms of dizziness less intense, most often eating low-salt or salt-free foods, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol, will help.

Balance disorders are serious. It is the primary cause of falls and fall-related injuries in older people. It is crucial 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