Falls can become more common with age. That’s why it’s important to talk with your healthcare provider if you’re experiencing a problem, check your balance and practice exercises to improve your balance and stay active. These 5 five strategies from the Vestibular Disorders Association can help you do just that! Anyone can fall at any age. But the fact is … Read More
Are Falls Inevitable for Older Adults?
Aging doesn’t have to result in a fall, but unfortunately, it often does. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control, falls among adults 65 and older caused over 36,000 deaths in 2020, making it the leading cause of injury death for that group. Falls also are responsible for at least 300,000 hip fractures each year and they are … Read More
The Challenge of Diagnosing Vestibular Disorders
Diagnosing a vestibular disorder, or a dizziness and balance problem, can be a difficult and frustrating journey for the patient experiencing the issue. In fact, according to the Vestibular Disorders Association (VEDA), many people with dizziness, imbalance, or vertigo have trouble obtaining a diagnosis. Difficulties in Getting a Diagnosis: There are many different types of disorders that can cause dizziness. … Read More
New Research Shows Damage to Inner Ear Contributes to Falling
Vestibular Issues and Fall Risk in Alzheimer’s In a study of about 50 people with Alzheimer’s disease, Johns Hopkins researchers found evidence that damage to the inner ear system that controls balance is a major factor in patients’ well-documented higher risk of falling. The study found overall that vestibular system impairment was linked to a 50% increase in the risk … Read More
Reduce Your Risk of Falling
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in 2019, 34,000 people over age 65 died as a result of falls, and another 3 million ended up in the emergency room. In fact, more than one out of four older adults fall each year, but less than half tell their doctor, and falling once doubles your chances of falling again. … Read More
The Connection Between Dizziness and Aging
How Aging Affects Balance and Dizziness Whether you’re 20 or 80 years old, you can have problems with dizziness and balance. But as you age, a number of health issues and risk factors can put you an increased risk for dizziness and injury from falls. In fact, according to the Morbidity and Mortality Report, in the United States, about one … Read More
Maintaining Good Balance—It’s Complicated
Why Balance Health Requires More Than Just Coordination Balance disorders are common. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), about 15 percent of American adults are impacted by a balance disorder. Balance disorders can be caused by certain health conditions, medications, or a problem in the inner ear or the brain. A balance disorder can … Read More
Who Treats Dizziness and Balance Disorders?
Who to See for Dizziness and Balance Problems Being dizzy or off balance can make it difficult to do everything from bending over to pick something up to getting out of bed in the middle of the night. The result can be dangerous and debilitating for millions of Americans, sometimes resulting in falls and injuries. Unfortunately, getting an accurate diagnosis … Read More
Diagnosing Vestibular Disorders
How Vestibular Disorders Are Diagnosed Though dizziness and balance problems are more common in older adults, they can happen to anyone at any age. If you’ve struggled with these issues, you also may have struggled with getting an accurate diagnosis for the problem. And because of that, you may have had trouble finding treatment. So why is getting a diagnosis … Read More
How Hearing Impacts Balance
How Hearing Loss Can Affect Your Balance According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than one out of four older people falls each year, and falling once doubles your chances of falling again. A number of conditions can lead to falls—from vitamin D deficiency to vision problems to trip hazards like throw rugs. But a recent study has found … Read More
