What are the symptoms? Two levels of severity in case of balance problems
There are two levels of severity.
Orange light: minor neurological disorders (loss of sensation in the limbs, tingling, etc.), headache with hearing problems and/or nosebleeds, voltage drop with pallor and malaise, a very rapid pulse (more than 120 beats per minute) or very slow (less than 45), nausea and vomiting with the stomach.
What to do? You can take the time to go to the emergency room yourself or contact a doctor who can come to your home quickly.
Red light: in case of clear neurological disorders (difficulty speaking, arm movements, weakness in the legs, crooked mouth, memory loss…), discomfort with loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing that comes with pain in the chest.
What can cause a lack of balance? The causes
The main risk of loss of balance, falling is responsible for more than 130,000 hospitalizations among elderly people in France every year, figures Fall Prevention Plan 2022 of the elders of the ministry in charge of autonomy.
The frequency of these disorders increases after the age of 65, mainly due to physiological changes, one of which muscle loss or a posture changing the center of gravity. Sometimes the underlying disorders worsen the feeling of instability. It remains to know how to “read” the signs transmitted by the body to define which one to turn to.
What do you do when you feel the fall coming?
Above all, avoid falling
“The first thing to do, if you feel like vobbing, is to lie down with your head flat with your feet elevated, unless there is associated respiratory discomfort, in which case, stay in a half-sitting position,” advises . Dr. Loïc Étienne, emergency physician, author of the book Health emergency (First ed.). This eliminates the immediate danger of falling.
Another essential question: are you getting treatment? “For diabetic patients on insulin, for example, loss of balance with discomfort and sweating can be a sign of a onset of hypoglycemia.
The right reflection:
Resugar immediately, “continues the doctor. This is the right time to ask yourself about the circumstances in which the loss of balance appears. Is it the first time it happened? Are there other signs? associated? Some symptoms require immediate attention. Most often, the unpleasant sensation disappears quickly and a subsequent consultation with your doctor is sufficient.
Find the origin of the loss of balance with the general practitioner
The general practitioner has a key role in this situation. It is the best place to start investigations to determine the origin of the loss of balance. “Do an interview to find out the circumstances of the appearance of the disorders, your medical history and current treatments, do a clinical and neurological examination,” explains Dr. Étienne. “This exam, completed in a few minutes, explores all the functions without the use of any device.”
The practitioner asks, for example, to follow your index fingerso what stand with your feet together with both arms forward and your eyes closed. Also check the muscle strength of the arms and legsTHE roll reflexes…Signs that may prompt him to suggest additional examinations such as an electrocardiogram, a blood test, a cervical Doppler… If an obvious cause is revealed, an appropriate treatment is initiated.
Which specialist should you consult in case of a balance disorder?
Second scenario: trips are emerging, but we need to explore more. The general practitioner refers to a specialist for more in-depth explorations.
• An ENT will look for a possible benign paroxysmal positional disorder (disorder ofinner ear) for loss of balance associated with vertigo (spinning head).
• An ophthalmologist will check if your vision is correctly corrected. Poor spatial perception and/or impaired visual acuity can cause or exacerbate balance problems.
• A cardiologist should be consulted in the presence of heart rhythm disturbances or if hypertension is detected.
• A neurologist will be able to manage a proven neurological deficit.
• A diabetologist it will be reviewed in case of unstable diabetes.
• A psychiatrist can help you deal with psychological problems, such as emotional shock with repercussions on your balance.