Is loosing balance normal with ageing?

 Have you met anyone saying, I can do a lot of work in the house, I walk for 45 minutes everyday but walking on slippery surface is scary. Now what is this? We fail to admit that we are losing balance while walking on slippery grounds, down the stairs or uneven grounds. We find it normal with ageing. But is it normal? NO, it isn’t normal and lets shed light on why it isn’t. 

As you age, a lot of degeneration and system changes happen that are normal. But loosing balance isn’t a normal change. We have three systems in the body that control balance: Vision (major one), somatosensory (your sensory and musculoskeletal system) and vestibular system (the system in between your ears). All of this goes through ageing but if one of the systems is affected more than the normal ageing process, it will affect in increasing the risk of fall. So what are the signs to know that I am at a risk of fall??


  • When there is fear of fall on a particular surface which was normal at first.
  • Walking on uneven grounds is difficult and you need support
  • You cannot stand on one leg for more than 5 seconds
  • You feel you are loosing control while walking down the stairs


These are few signs that feel you will feel when the risk of falls increases. Immediately, visit a neurologist and also a Neurophysiotherapist to help you again strength, balance exercises and make you confident with walking. 


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