Surprising things that may affect your balance as you age
As we age, there are several factors that can play a part in maintaining our balance. Some of the causes of imbalance may be surprising. Take note of these things that may cause seniors to experience unsteadiness, and what you can do to decrease your chances of an unfortunate fall.
A decline in vision may lead to balance problems. Visual cues play a significant role in maintaining balance. Vision problems can also contribute to the misjudging of distance or depth, which can put one off balance, resulting in a fall. Regular visits to an optometrist and corrective lenses can usually remedy this hazard. 
Impaired hearing can also increase the risk of a fall, because a person will not be prepared for or might be startled by something or someone approaching them.
Sleep deprivation can cause grogginess and result in a slower reaction to things happening around you. You may also have an increased risk for tripping over things that you haven’t noticed.
People with diabetes have an increased risk of falling or dizziness because of drops in blood sugar levels. If you do have diabetes, it is important to check your blood sugar level as your doctor recommends.
Some medications cause dizziness or light-headedness, particularly blood pressure medicines. If you experience dizziness when standing from a seated or lying down position, the solution is to remember to come to standing slowly.
If your home is cluttered and full of obstacles, this increases your odds of falling at home. Almost 9 million emergency room visits a year are the result of falls at home. Clearing your house of clutter, throw rugs, cords, etc., can greatly reduce your chances of losing your balance.
These are some of the not-so-obvious causes of unsteadiness in our bodies as we age. For more information about our Physical Therapy services go to DyerRehab.com