What are the symptoms of a balance disorder?

When balance is impaired, an individual has difficulty maintaining orientation. For example, an individual may experience the "room spinning" and may not be able to walk without staggering, or may not even be able to arise. Some of the symptoms a person with a balance disorder may experience are:

• A sensation of dizziness or vertigo (spinning).
• Falling or a feeling of falling.
• Lightheadedness or feeling woozy.
• Visual blurring.
• Disorientation.

What is Vertigo and Dizziness? 

Vertigo means the sensation of spinning. Dizziness is  a vaguer term. Dizziness includes light-headedness and feeling faint. Vertigo and Dizziness often occur together. 

Vertigo  is a feeling that you  or your surroundings are moving when you are not actually moving. The "moving" is often described as  a feeling of spinning  or whirling.  The "moving" feeling can also include sensations of falling or tilting. If you have vertigo, you may have difficulty walking or standing. If you stand, you may also lose your balance  and fall. 

Dizziness  is a word that is often used  to describe two different sensations. It is important to know exactly what you mean when you say, "I feel dizzy,". It is important to know exactly what you mean because it can help you  and your doctor narrow down  the list  of possible problems.

Lightheadedness is a feeling that you are about to pass out. When you feel lightheaded, you may feel dizzy but there is no sensation  of movement. Lightheadedness usually goes away or improves  when you lie down. If lightheadedness does not go away and gets worse, it can lead to  a feeling of almost fainting or fainting. Sometimes, nausea or vomiting symptoms accompany lightheadedness. 

Dizziness  and vertigo can occur at any age. However, it is more common among older adults. 

What causes Vertigo and Dizziness? 

There  are many causes of vertigo  and dizziness. Some  of the most common causes are: viral infection,  ear infection, congestion in  the ear, an acute stroke, sinus attacks, drugs affecting  the ear, tumors  in the auditory nerve  and neurological disease.