Most people today do not pay much attention to balance as a body function only to regret it in the future when they face balancing challenges. Despite the fact that the balance problems can be caused by numerous factors, neurological disorders are among the most severe ones. This blog explores few neurological disorders that cause balance problems in relation to their causes, symptoms, and treatments.

1. PARKINSON’S DISEASE

Parkinson’s is a disease that is neurological in nature and is characterised by diseases in the area of movement of the body. It is not acute, and may manifest beginning with slight and involuntary shaking of one of the hands. 

How It Affects Balance

Parkinson’s disease affects the area of the brain that is involved with movement. This can result in a shuffling gait, poor posture and poor coordination as well as balance. Regarding motor skills, the patient may progressively develop slowness of movement, poor coordination, balance, and often falls.

Symptoms:

1. Tremors, primarily at rest
2. Muscle stiffness
3. Slowed movement (bradykinesia)
4. Impaired posture and balance

There are changes in the speech and writing for example, in speaking one has to become precise in the way they speak and write.

Treatment:

Parkinson’s disease doesn’t have a cure but there are medicines that can be administered in order to manage the symptomology. Balance problems also require the help of a physical therapist, occupational therapist, and regular exercises.

2. MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (MS)

Multiple sclerosis is an immune-mediated disease that affects the protective covering (myelin sheath) of nerve fibres; thus, interrupting communication between the brain, nerves and the rest of the body. Such nerves may be permanently damaged or even deteriorate at some point in time due to the disease.

How It Affects Balance:

A post-MS symptom can have an impact on the patient’s well-being and health status, and result in a decreased quality of life, including balance dysfunction.

Symptoms:

1. Tingling or a feeling of coldness and weakness in the arms and legs.

Some movements of the neck give one electric-shock like sensations.

2. Tremors
3. Swaying or walking in circles
4. Blurred or double vision

Treatment:

MS currently has no cure but has therapeutic intervention, which helps one deal with the disease and its progression. Steroids are utilised in diminishing the inflammation of nerves. Physical therapy might be used which will assist the patients to regain balance and also ability to move around.

3. STROKE

A stroke is a medical condition in which blood flow to a part of the brain is blocked or reduced, which in turn, the brain cells do not receive sufficient amounts of oxygen and nutrients. Tissues in the brain continue to die within mere minutes, resulting in a medical emergency.

How It Affects Balance:

It is crucial to note that the kind of balance dysfunction one will experience depends on the area of the brain that is affected by the stroke. Injuries in the cerebellum or in the brain stem often have severe consequences with the functionality of balance and coordination. 

Symptoms:

1. Weakness or numbness in an arm, a leg, or on one side of the face
2. Confusion
3. Difficulties in either speaking or comprehending what’s being said
4. Vision problems
5. Stiffness or pain in the muscles, joints, poor coordination and loss of balance, slowness of movement and unsteadiness.

Treatment: 

One has to begin the treatment as early as possible for stroke just as in the case of myocardial infarction. Fibrinolytic medications have to be given within a few hours of the start of the symptoms for them to work. Rehabilitation in the long-term requires the patient to go for physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and in some cases speech therapy to regain motor skills and have balance.

CONCLUSION

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