I worked a trade show yesterday it was The Senior Expo. Saw approximately 900 people. Taught them how balance effects health. Lots and lots of people were there with very bad balance issues.
3 systems control balance. The vestibular system which is located in the inner ear. Tiny hairs move in response to fluid dynamics and send message to the brain. These can get disrupted by being blocked creating vertigo or BPPV. This is treated with cannalith repositioning maneuvers. The vestibular system can also be affected by antibiotics, viruses, trauma to head, tight cervical muscles, chemotherapy drugs.
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The next is proprioception. These are receptors in joints and muscles that tell our brain where are body is, in space and time. If you close your eyes you can touch your nose due to these receptors. These get damaged with sprains, surgeries, diabetes, neuropathy. If the brain doesn't get the message you stepped on an uneven surface, you fall.
The other is your vision. We use binocular vision, yet many people have weakness in an eye, and have trouble with estimating depth perception. Also, most people are over - reliant on vision, and function poorly in low visibility. Such as walking to the bathroom at night, then falls occur. Also, vision accounts for 50% of our balance. Many can't go into complex visual environments like grocery stores, as they become overwhelmed with stimuli and get dizzy.
The good thing is there is help through physical therapy for these issues.
