Balance is something most of us take for granted. From a young child beginning to stand and then take his first steps our sense of balance quickly improves until we can walk and run around without falling over.
We don’t often think about our balance – until we lose it. About 40% of people in the UK over the age of 40 experience symptoms of dizziness and/or imbalance at some time. Symptoms of vertigo can be very debilitating.
Many of us may have had the odd moment when we felt dizzy or suffered from motion sickness. This can momentarily make us lose our ability to balance.
Normally it lasts just a few seconds before righting itself. But for many people who suffer from a problem with their balance this largely invisible condition causes debilitating symptoms.
It can come on gradually or suddenly, but these bouts of dizziness, vertigo and nausea can make many routine tasks virtually impossible.
Try imagining how to focus on something when everything around you appears to be spinning. For those living with a vestibular condition, everyday life becomes a progressively difficult obstacle course.
That’s why Balance Awareness Week was created. This year in the UK it runs from now until Saturday, September 22.
The vestibular system in our ears is responsible for maintaining balance and posture. The body’s balance system works by co-ordinating information in the brain for the three senses used for balance. These are the eyes, the balance organ in the inner ear and the body’s internal sense of balance.
When someone suffers from dizziness it means the brain has not been able to co-ordinate the information from the balance senses properly.
If you are suffering from balance problems then come and see us. We offer a range of diagnostic tests to help your consultant manage your balance disorder. We also work closely with physiotherapists at some of our key hospital locations, delivering programmes of diagnosis and treatment to help you recover quickly and effectively from episodes of imbalance. Find out more.
The Ménière’s Society is the only registered charity in the UK dedicated solely to supporting people with vestibular (inner ear) disorders causing dizziness and imbalance. Read more.