Signs and symptoms of balance problems include: Sense of motion or spinning (vertigo) Feeling of faintness or lightheadedness (presyncope) Loss of balance or unsteadiness Head injury and many medicines may also lead to balance problems. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Medications can be lifesaving by performing critical tasks such as keeping blood sugar at safe levels, hearts thumping rhythmically, and moods afloat. Should I worry about grandkids’ sports? Routinely discussing your medications with your doctor is the best way to ensure this. If you have heart failure, you may be prescribed a diuretic, … By activating your account, you will create a login and password. Some diseases of the circulatory system, such as stroke, can cause dizziness and other balance problems. Tick bite. Balance: Medications can cause balance problems, intracerebral problems may cause balance problems. The big day is coming! Not remembering where you put your car keys or forgetting the birthday of a neighbor is normal. ), Loss of balance, Decreased appetite, Fatigue, Feeling faint, Loss of balance, Difficulty standing, Fearful, Feeling faint, Loss of balance, Dizziness, Feeling faint, Loss of balance, Low blood pressure, Jumpiness or easily startled, Loss of balance, Fatigue, Joint aches, Loss of balance, Muscle stiffness (rigidity), Abnormal gait (walking), Dizziness, Feeling faint, Loss of balance, Dizziness, Loss of balance, Pain or discomfort, Abnormal gait (walking), Loss of balance, Loss of coordination, Dizziness, Lightheadedness, Loss of balance, Dizziness, Feeling faint, Loss of balance, Night sweats, Excessive sweating, Fatigue, Feeling faint, Loss of balance, Abnormal gait (walking), Difficulty standing, Fatigue, Loss of balance, Abnormal gait (walking), Difficulty standing, Dizziness, Loss of balance, Dizziness, Joint aches, Loss of balance, Loss of coordination, Abnormal gait (walking), Loss of balance, Loss of coordination, Muscle cramps or spasms (painful), Fatigue, Feeling faint, Increased thirst, Loss of balance, Difficulty standing, Dizziness, Loss of balance, Muscle weakness, Dizziness, Fatigue, Loss of balance, Weakness (generalized), Difficulty standing, Fatigue, Involuntary movements (picking, lip smacking etc. Many medical conditions can cause balance problems. Antianxiety drugs 2. Last Updated December 2020 All rights reserved. Medication for dizziness and loss of balance requires a visit to your family doctor. Interactions between medications as well as the side effects of certain medications can cause dizziness or drowsiness resulting in loss of balance. Try this program to improve yours. DASH Diet; The Flexitarian Diet; ... which can also impact the ear's balance functions. What causes balance disorders? Symptoms of Ménière’s disease include hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing or roaring in the ear) and positional vertigo (a spinning sensation or a … Taking many medications at the same time can boost the severity and frequency of side effects. ), Loss of balance, Chills, Dizziness, Feeling faint, Loss of balance, Fatigue, High blood pressure, Joint aches, Loss of balance, Difficulty standing, Dizziness, Loss of balance, Decreased appetite, Fatigue, Increased thirst, Loss of balance, Dizziness, Feeling faint, High blood pressure, Loss of balance, Dizziness, Excessive sweating, Loss of balance, Dizziness, Fatigue, High blood pressure, Loss of balance, Joint aches, Loss of balance, Loss of coordination, Low blood pressure, Fatigue, Loss of balance, Numbness or tingling (Ankle), Numbness or tingling (Foot (top)), Decreased appetite, Dizziness, Loss of balance, Loss of coordination, Dizziness, Feeling faint, Loss of balance, Shaking, Body aches or pains, Decreased appetite, Difficulty standing, Loss of balance, Fatigue, Increased sensitivity to cold, Increased sensitivity to heat, Loss of balance, Fatigue, Fever, Joint aches, Loss of balance, Body aches or pains, Fatigue, Loss of balance, Muscle weakness, Dizziness, Loss of balance, Nausea or vomiting, Body aches or pains, Dizziness, Fever, Loss of balance, Abnormal gait (walking), Dizziness, Fatigue, Loss of balance, Decreased appetite, Difficulty standing, Dizziness, Loss of balance, Chills, Dizziness, Fatigue, Loss of balance, Fatigue, Hunger, Increased sensitivity to cold, Loss of balance, Difficulty standing, Difficulty swallowing, Fatigue, Loss of balance, Difficulty starting urine stream, Difficulty stopping urine stream, Dizziness, Loss of balance, Dizziness, Feeling faint, Hot flashes, Loss of balance, Dizziness, Feeling faint, Loss of balance, Muscle weakness, Dizziness, Fatigue, Loss of balance, Overweight, Feeling faint, Hot flashes, Jumpiness or easily startled, Loss of balance, Dizziness, Irregular heartbeat, 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coordination, Low self-esteem, Fatigue, Increased sensitivity to cold, Joint aches, Loss of balance, Abnormal gait (walking), Fatigue, Headache, Loss of balance, Body aches or pains, Difficulty standing, Joint aches, Loss of balance, Increased sensitivity to cold, Increased sensitivity to heat, Loss of balance, Loss of coordination, Body aches or pains, Dizziness, Joint aches, Loss of balance, Fatigue, Feeling faint, Loss of balance, Pale skin, Feeling faint, Loss of balance, Loss of coordination, Decreased appetite, Fatigue, Loss of balance, Loss of coordination, Difficulty standing, Fatigue, Feeling faint, Loss of balance, Diarrhea, Dizziness, Fatigue, Loss of balance, Body aches or pains, Fatigue, Hot flashes, Loss of balance, Dizziness, Fatigue, Loss of balance, Low blood pressure, Fatigue, Food cravings, Hunger, Loss of balance, Dizziness, Fatigue, Hunger, Loss of balance, Fatigue, Fever, Increased thirst, Loss of balance, Excessive sweating, Hot flashes, Loss of balance, Night sweats, Body aches or pains, Joint aches, Joint pain, Loss of balance, Lightheadedness, Loss of balance, Night sweats, Dizziness, Fatigue, Loss of balance, Tires quickly, Abnormal gait (walking), Difficulty standing, Loss of balance, Loss of coordination, Fatigue, Feeling faint, Hunger, Loss of balance, Dizziness, Fatigue, Giddiness, Loss of balance, Dizziness, Increased sensitivity to heat, Jumpiness or easily startled, Loss of balance, Decreased appetite, Dizziness, Feeling faint, Loss of balance, Body aches or pains, Fatigue, Frequent infections, Loss of balance, Loss of balance, Loss of coordination, Muscle weakness, Dizziness, Fatigue, Loss of balance, Muscle cramps or spasms (painful), Dizziness, Involuntary movements (picking, lip smacking etc. Balance is a motor skill that you can maintain and even improve with exercise that keep your hips, knees, and ankles strong. Or click on "See All Conditions" to see every condition related to loss of balance. Save your medicine, check interactions, sign up for FDA alerts, create family profiles and more. Problems that affect the skeletal or visual systems, such as arthritis or eye muscle imbalance, can also cause balance disorders. This content is created and maintained by a … Many common medications taken by older people, like for blood pressure, cause dizziness or lightheadedness and can contribute to an increased risk of falling. Antidepressant drugs 5. Check with a doctor about medications to see if loss of balance, or even vertigo, might be due to drug interactions rather than the sickness itself. Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, 4 questions to ask yourself before using nonprescription medications, Meat-free diet linked to benefits for people with type 2 diabetes, antidepressant drugs, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), anti-anxiety drugs, such as benzodiazepines, anticholinergic/antispasmodic drugs (used to treat stomach cramps), blood pressure drugs, such as alpha blockers, centrally acting antihypertensives, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs), and beta blockers (including eye drops, which can lower blood pressure as a side effect), diabetes drugs, such as insulin, glipizide, and glyburide, heart drugs, such as anti-arrhythmics, nitrates and other vasodilators, and digoxin, pain drugs, such as opioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The most common causes of imbalance without dizziness result from dysfunction of the muscles, joints and peripheral nerves (proprioceptive system) or the central nervous system . There are many types of skull fractures, but only one major cause. sleep drugs, such as sedatives and hypnotics. The list of drugs that increase fall risk includes but is not limited to the following: Generally, it's wise to keep the number of medications you take to a minimum. Any condition resulting in dehydration (diarrhea/vomiting), decreases blood volume which may cause lightheadedness and loss of balance; Medications can also negatively effect balance and increase the risk of falls. Symptoms may come and go over short time periods or last for a long time, and can lead to fatigue and depression. Low blood pressure can lead to dizziness when you stand up too quickly. Aged people may experience loss of balance while walking more often. Drug, supplement, and vitamin information on the go. Get information and reviews on prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements. A tick-related illness may cause a rash that expands out from the site of the bite, fever, chills, and more. Last week we discussed the causes of balance loss. This condition is often called vertigo. These medicines, called … Continue reading Medications Can Cause Balance Problems What can we help you find? Cholesterol drugs 3. However, often it is assumed that difficulty with balance is part of aging and patients dont seek medical attention. ©2005-2015 WebMD, LLC. Please note: If you have a promotional code you'll be prompted to enter it prior to confirming your order. Get the facts on fractures and learn about diagnosis and treatment. Microvascular ischemic disease can be mild, moderate, or severe. If you subscribe to any of our print newsletters and have never activated your online account, please activate your account below for online access. These feelings can happen whether you're lying down, sitting or standing.Many body systems — including your muscles, bones, joints, vision, the balance organ in the inner ear, nerves, heart and blood vessels — must work normally for you to have normal balance. Narcotic painkillers 6. Fears about statin side effects: Often unfounded? Urgent care may be required. Having good balance means being able to control and maintain your body’s position comfortably—whether you are walking, climbing stairs, standing, or even sitting still.The terms “balance problems” or “balance disorders” refer to a There are certain neurological diseases that are associated with balance problems (such as parkinson's). Hyponatremia occurs when the concentration of sodium in your blood is abnormally low. Can adopting a healthier diet help fight prostate cancer? While this is a common phenomenon, it could also indicate an underlying medical problem. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. Incontinence drugs 10. Androgens, the family of male sex hormones that includes testosterone, function as a fuel for growth in normal development. Some medications may affect the inner ear, spurring temporary or permanent balance disorders. Loss of balance or equilibrium is a symptom not a diagnosis. Our pill identification tool will display pictures that you can compare to your pill. While your ears are responsible for hearing sounds and noises, your inner ear plays a critical role in balance. The Harvard Medical School 6-Week Plan for Healthy Eating, Improving Memory: Understanding Age-Related Memory Loss, A little-known factor that boosts heart attack risk, Dangers of heavy drinking if you have atrial fibrillation. While it's true that some medicines are more likely to play a role in falls than others, many of these drugs are surprisingly difficult to avoid. Loss of balance could be a very disabling problem. Partial loss of vision, lost or altered depth perception, double vision, difficulty focusing the eyes, and not responding quickly enough to the environmental cues may all develop. Ask if other medications can be used instead. Set goals and get tips with our app. All rights reserved. Prime examples include blurred vision, dizziness or lightheadedness stemming from low blood pressure, drowsiness, delirium, and impaired alertness or judgment. Marijuana Is Linked to Ejaculation Problems Yes, pot is now considered a medication in 24 states. Other medicines might damage the inner ear. Get health information and advice from the experts at Harvard Medical School. Some gerontologists say they rarely see patients who take fewer than six or seven. Dizziness & Loss of Balance Causes. Check with your doctor if you notice a problem while taking a medication. People have different gaits and styles of walking and the presentation of loss of balance can vary from person to person. You may need to take both the pain meds and testosterone to balance the two out. Many older adults — especially those with a mild form of the disease — have no … What's That Rash? A balance disorder is a condition characterized by dizziness and vertigo while standing still or lying down. Some drugs may cause a loss of balance as a side effect by affecting the inner ear or vision, causing people to feel lightheaded, or creating drowsiness. Sleeping aids 9. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Taking many medications at the same time can boost the severity and frequency of side effects among people of any age. Hyperthyroidism causes weight loss, shakiness, tiredness, sensitivity to heat, insomnia, and more. Four common disorders that cause dizziness or loss of balance include: Ménière’s disease. This is especially true in the elderly where a fall cold be life threatening. A balance disorder is a condition that makes you feel unsteady or dizzy as if you are moving or spinning. ... diabetes and other causes of neuropathy. Often, problems stem from the sheer number of medicines you take, rather than a single drug. Yet side effects and interactions between drugs (both prescription and nonprescription drugs) may increase your fall risk in numerous ways. narcotics/opioids (pain drugs) sleep medications; alternative medications such as Ginkgo biloba, melatonin, St. John’s wort, and medical marijuana; Combining drugs or drinking alcohol along with any of these medications may intensify your unsteadiness. Low blood pressure can also cause dizziness. Vertigo. Sign up to receive WebMD's award-winning content delivered to your inbox. 2 nd of 3 Columns on Balance Disorders and Falls Prevention. Over-the-counter hearing aids: Are they ready yet? Some medications may affect the inner ear, spurring temporary or permanent balance disorders. Most melanomas come in the form of a new spot on the skin, not changes to an existing mole. Balance problems can make you feel dizzy, as if the room is spinning, unsteady, or lightheaded. Irregular and long menstrual cycles linked to shorter life. See what your medical symptoms could mean, and learn about possible conditions. … Click on the combination that matches your symptoms to find the conditions that may cause these problems. Loss of balance could result from multiple causes some of which are treatable and some patients could have dramatic improvement. If you are worried about your memory, schedule a cognition test with your doctor. Hyperparathyroidism. Parkinson's drugs 7. Balance disorders can be caused due to certain medical conditions, injury, medications or an issue in the inner ear or the brain.. Hypertension drugs 8. Track your pain levels, triggers, and treatments. Sometimes, injuries cause chronic pain or loss of strength, leading to longer-term balance problems. Symptoms. Infections and metabolic issues can also cause these symptoms. © 2010 - 2021 Harvard University. The simple fear of falling causes many people to curtail the very activities that strengthen the muscles and reflexes essential to good balance. Low blood pressure can lead to dizziness when you stand up too quickly. Medications that Impact Balance. It's not even a "disorder," really. Yet only 7% of these patients stopped taking the problematic drugs after the fracture, while an equal proportion of patients started taking such drugs. The dizzy spell may vary from person to person. One of the most common causes of balance problems may be a problem with your inner ear. You might feel that you're going to fall down. Read expert perspectives on popular health topics. Or click on "See All Conditions" to see every condition related to loss of balance. Get trusted advice from the doctors at Harvard Medical School, Learn tips for living a healthy lifestyle, Stay up-to-date on the latest developments in health, Receive special offers on health books and reports. Get organized and track baby's weekly development. Causes of balance problems include medications, ear infection, a head injury, or anything else that affects the inner ear or brain. It's not a fear of heights, though lots of people think it is. Disclaimer: Enter search terms and tap the Search button. However, most balance problems result from issues in your balance organ in the inner ear (vestibular system). To learn more about the importance of understanding your balance systems and ways to stay steady on your feet, read Better Balance, a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School. You only need to activate your account once. See All Conditions. Drugs That May Cause Memory Loss. Older adults are especially vulnerable, because people's bodies absorb and respond to drugs differently with age. Antihistamines Medications A variety of medications are used to treat the symptoms of head trauma. WebMD Symptom Checker helps you find the most common symptom combinations and medical conditions related to loss of balance. Causes of balance problems include medications, ear infection, a head injury, or anything else that affects the inner ear or brain. Loop-Acting Diuretics for Heart Failure. Of course, many of us are balance-challenged without heavy alcohol use. See All Conditions ©2005-2019 WebMD LLC. WebMD Symptom Checker helps you find the most common symptom combinations and medical conditions related to loss of balance. During defecation syncope, fainting is caused by a decrease in arterial pressure when bearing down to assist a bowel movement. Before the fracture occurred, three-quarters of study participants had been taking at least one drug known to increase fall risk or decrease bone density, such as those described below. Why You Should Rethink That Drink Before Dinner, New Clues Why Mosquitoes Find You Irresistible, Popular Heartburn Meds Can Have Health Risks, Dizziness, Fatigue, Loss of balance, Pain or discomfort, Dizziness, Fatigue, Feeling faint, Loss of balance, Dizziness, Excessive crying, Fatigue, Loss of balance, Dizziness, Feeling faint, Loss of balance, Body aches or pains, Fatigue, Joint aches, Loss of balance, Abnormal gait (walking), Dizziness, Loss of balance, Dizziness, Fatigue, Loss of balance, Loss of coordination, Joint aches, Loss of balance, Loss of coordination, Muscle weakness, Difficulty standing, Dizziness, Increased sensitivity to heat, Loss of balance, Dizziness, Feeling faint, Loss of balance, Loss of coordination, Dizziness, High blood pressure, Loss of balance, Fatigue, High blood pressure, Loss of balance, Loss of coordination, Body aches or pains, Dizziness, Fatigue, Loss of balance, Body aches or pains, Coarse hair, Joint aches, Loss of balance, Dizziness, Fatigue, Joint aches, Loss of balance, Body aches or pains, Dizziness, Loss of balance, Difficulty standing, Dizziness, Feeling faint, Loss of balance, Dizziness, Excessive sweating, Feeling faint, Loss of balance, Food cravings, Hunger, Loss of balance, Nervousness, Dizziness, Loss of balance, Loss of coordination, Body aches or pains, Fatigue, Loss of balance, Fatigue, Joint aches, Loss of balance, Loss of coordination, Dizziness, Easy bruising, Fatigue, Loss of balance, Decreased appetite, Dizziness, Fatigue, Loss of balance, Abnormal gait (walking), Difficulty standing, Joint aches, Loss of balance, Dizziness, Fatigue, Loss of balance, Muscle weakness, Dizziness, Fatigue, Loss of balance, Nervousness, Difficulty standing, Dizziness, Fatigue, Loss of balance, Dizziness, Fever, Loss of balance, Muscle weakness, Dizziness, Fatigue, Flushed skin, Loss of balance, Body aches or pains, Dizziness, Feeling faint, Loss of balance, Abnormal gait (walking), Fatigue, Loss of balance, Loss of coordination, Abnormal gait (walking), Body aches or pains, Involuntary movements (picking, lip smacking etc. Enter the shape, color, or imprint of your prescription or OTC drug. And 16% of 45- to 64-year-olds, as well as 39% of people 65 and over, take five or more drugs. ), Loss of balance, Dizziness, Fatigue, Increased thirst, Loss of balance, Involuntary movements (picking, lip smacking etc. Loss of balance while walking may be experienced by many people at some point or other during their life. 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