11 Reasons You Might Be Losing Your Balance (It's Not Always Aging)

If you've been having issues with balance, you may chalk it up to aging. While it's possible that natural muscle loss as you age can make you less steady, you may be dealing with a medical condition. Some causes may be treated with special exercises and lifestyle changes, but a chronic disease like multiple sclerosis — in which up to 80% of people with it have a hard time with balance — may require ongoing medical care. Pinpointing the cause of your balance issues can help prevent falls.

BPPV, or vertigo (the sensation of spinning), is one of the most common reasons for balance problems. It can happen when tiny crystals in your inner ear shift out of place and send confusing signals to your brain about where your body is. You might feel like the room is whirling when you roll over in bed, look up, bend down, or turn your head too quickly. The dizzy spells are usually short but can be unsettling. A doctor can treat your BPPV with a series of simple head and body movements (canalith repositioning procedure) that help move the crystals back where they belong. Often, one session fixes the issue, but you may need several.

Because your inner ear is in charge of your balance, medical conditions that affect it can throw you off balance. These include acoustic neuroma (a noncancerous tumor on the nerve from your ear to your brain), swelling in your inner ear (labyrinthitis), Ménière's disease, persistent postural perceptual dizziness (PPPD, which is dizziness caused by crowds, motion, or screens), or vestibular neuritis. A doctor can diagnose you and help treat these issues.

A sudden drop in blood pressure when you stand up is called orthostatic hypotension, and it can make you feel dizzy or faint. Your vision may blur, and you may feel like you're about to lose your balance. This is more common as you get older and can be triggered by dehydration, medications, or certain health conditions. Treatment depends on the cause but may include drinking more fluids, changing medications, wearing compression stockings, or standing up more slowly.

Your brain relies on a steady supply of glucose to work the way it's supposed to. When your blood sugar drops too low, you may feel shaky, weak, dizzy, or confused. You're especially prone to this if you have diabetes or use insulin. Symptoms can come on quickly and may increase your risk of falling. Typically, treating low blood sugar involves eating or drinking a fast-acting source of carbohydrates such as juice, candy, or glucose tablets. Check with your doctor if you think low blood sugar may be making you unsteady.

Some migraines don't start with (or even involve) severe head pain — they make the room spin. Vestibular migraine affects the balance centers that connect the inner ear and brain. Often it causes dizziness, vertigo, imbalance, motion sensitivity, or a feeling that you're rocking or swaying. Symptoms can last minutes, hours, or even days. Together with your doctor, you can identify what might be triggering your migraine and work on lifestyle changes, arrange physical therapy, and find medications that help prevent or reduce your migraines.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that causes your immune system to damage your nerves' protective covering. When MS affects areas involved in movement, vision, or balance, you may feel dizzy, off-balance, or unsteady while walking. Some people describe feeling as though they're being pulled to one side. The risk for MS in the general population is about 0.5%, and 1% if you have a relative with MS. There is no specific test for MS, but a specialist (neurologist) can look at your medical history, do a physical exam, and perform tests such as MRIs and a spinal tap for more answers.

Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders can disrupt the circuits in your brain that control balance and movement. Along with balance problems, you may notice you're shuffling your steps, moving more slowly, feeling stiff, or having a hard time turning around. Some people feel as if their feet are stuck to the floor. Balance problems often become more noticeable over time when you have Parkinson's. Alongside treatment for Parkinson's, your doctor may suggest physical therapy and exercise programs that help you improve your walking and lower your fall risk.

You need your eyes to help your brain understand where your body is in space. If your vision changes because of cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, or an outdated eyeglass prescription, your balance may suffer. You may feel less confident walking on uneven surfaces, stairs, or in dim lighting. Be sure you're keeping up with regular eye exams, and see your eye doctor if you suspect your vision is flagging.

There's a long list of medications that count "dizziness" among their side effects. Common culprits include sleep aids, anti-anxiety medications, antidepressants, blood pressure drugs, and some pain medicines. You might feel dizzy or drowsy, or you could have blurred vision or slower reaction times, all of which raise your risk of a fall. If your balance symptoms began after you started a new medication, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Adjusting your dose or switching medications may help.

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that happens when the nerves outside your central nervous system — nerves that help you move and sense position and pain — are damaged. You can get peripheral neuropathy from taking medications such as chemotherapy, or from having conditions such as diabetes. When peripheral neuropathy affects your feet, your balance can be thrown off.

Vitamin B12 helps keep your nerves healthy. When your levels get too low, nerve damage can start, especially in your feet and legs. You may notice numbness, tingling, weakness, or trouble knowing exactly where your feet are when you walk. Your doctor can give you a blood test to diagnose a B12 deficiency. If you're low, you can take B12 supplements or shots, or you may need to treat a problem that prevents your body from absorbing the vitamin properly.