How to Cure Balance Problems

Balance problems can be caused by a number of different conditions, including benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, temporomandibular joint, Meniere's disease, low blood pressure, medications and anxiety. Signs of a balance disorder include vertigo, light-headedness and poor balance.

The body uses the visual system (the eyes), the vestibular system (the ears) and the somatosensory system (comprising sensations such as touch, temperature, pain and body position) to maintain normal balance. If one or more of these systems is not functioning normally, feelings of imbalance will occur.

Whether a balance disorder can be cured depends on the cause of the imbalance. Some balance problems can be fixed, while others require long-term treatment. Regardless of the cause, however, there are a number of treatments that can help ameliorate the symptoms of a balance disorder.

Instructions

• 1

  Talk to your doctor to discuss your problems with balance. Because there is such a wide range of disorders, conditions and diseases that can cause dizziness, your doctor will need to find out exactly what is wrong to know how to properly treat your symptoms. In some cases, your symptoms may be cured by a simple change in medication.

• 2

  Don't stand up too quickly. If your balance problems are caused by orthostatic hypotension--in other words, a sudden drop in blood pressure--rapid movements can exacerbate the condition. Similarly, if you are suffering from a vestibular disorder, moving your head too fast or sitting up too quickly can make your dizziness worse. Keep your head still if severe vertigo occurs, and wait until the feeling subsides before resuming activity.

• 3

  Include balance exercises in your daily regimen. Just walking every day can help your body maintain its balance, but practicing balancing on one foot, shifting your weight from one foot to another, and doing bicep curls can also be helpful in reducing your symptoms over the long-term.

• 4

  Avoid stress. If your balance problems are caused by temporomandibular joint, anxiety or Meniere's disease, stress--especially high levels of it--can worsen symptoms. Relieve stress in a healthy way, such as by taking a warm bubble bath or by meditating. Talk to a therapist, if necessary, to learn about techniques for coping with anxiety.

• 5

  Consult an audiologist about vestibular rehabilitation therapy. Vestibular rehabilitation therapy can help those suffering from balance disorders to ease their symptoms through an exercise program designed to meet patients' individual needs. These exercises can be performed at the clinic or in the home and include use of the eyes, head and body. Vestibular rehabilitation therapy helps patients retrain their brain to maintain balance using their remaining vestibular function.