Blurry vision is a common issue that may arise when structures in the eye such as the retina, cornea, or optic nerve are negatively affected by a particular event or health issue. The slow development and progression of blurred vision is typically caused by chronic medical conditions. Conversely, the sudden onset of blurry vision is usually caused by a specific event that may range from a minor issue (e.g., eye strain) to more serious health problems such as glaucoma or a stroke.
While this seems like a simple question, dizziness as a symptom can be much more complex. So, if you went to a doctor and said that you felt pain, what would the doctor ask? In most cases he would tell you to describe your pain. Is it sharp, dull, aching, burning, radiating, etc.? You see, with pain, the pattern or description of it often helps the doctor determine the cause of it and the likely treatment. With dizziness, it is the same.
Having good balance is a critical component of healthy aging. Everyday activities like reaching for your coffee cup, bending down to pick up the paper, putting on your shoes, and getting up from a chair require subtle shifts in your body’s weight distribution. A healthy sense of balance allows you to hold your position or move at will during these weight fluctuations without falling.
Balance is a skill we all possess from birth, one that should be enjoyed! It is the ability to feel and control our center of gravity for a prolonged period of time. It develops as we learn to trust ourselves and our body, from our first steps to our last, it is always with us. When people say they’ve “lost” their balance, what they’re really saying is, “I’ve forgotten how to trust my body.” This can be a tremendous hurdle for moving freely with ease, because when there is a lack of trust there is behavioral fear, tension, and aversion. Avoidance of movement can eventually lead to deconditioning, not just of our balance systems but of our musculoskeletal systems as well. Eventually, a lack of faith in our own abilities becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy as our body loses the capacity to move well. So, if your balance is feeling “lost”, try these five key practices to rebuild trust, conquer fear, and restore faith in yourself.
For older adults, balance is crucial to daily activities.
You need it when going to the bathroom in the middle of the night, moving your trash, or even as simple as walking. As time passes, balance tends to deteriorate and becomes a concern. You may notice you are not as confident when playing pickleball or you tend to reach out and touch the walls and furniture as you maneuver around your house.
One in four Americans ages 65 and above – 29% of seniors – fall each year.
Although we hope they’ll get right back up, many cannot. They might sustain bumps and bruises, strains and sprains, and broken bones, and lasting trauma. Every year, 3 million older adults will be treated for fall-related injuries in the emergency room, with 800,000 having to be hospitalized following a fall.
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