Diabetes Affects Your Balance. Here are 3 tips to help!

Your balance system is about communicating with your brain and body through the inner ear, the eyes, the muscles and joints.

The first way that diabetes effects your balance is through a complication called retinopathy. This is where the tiny blood vessels in your retina are damaged and leaky due to high blood sugar. The leaky blood gets in the way of the retina and reduces your vision to the point of blindness. If you can't see clearly where you're stepping or putting your feet or where you're going, your depth perception will be off. This can lead to a fall.

The second way that diabetes complications effect your balance is through neuropathy. This is when your feet have a "pins and needles" sensation and eventually feeling is completely lost. If you can't feel where your feet are, it's very likely that you'll lose your balance and fall.

The third way your balance is affected is in your vestibular system. Located in the same area as your cochlea (hearing), you have three semicircular canals. Your vestibular system is responsible for telling your brain where you are in space. Is my head up? Is it to the side? Am I upside down? This sense is called proprioception and is responsible for your balance.

When this system is not working well, it creates a range of problems. People cannot, in worst case scenarios, walk down a hallway without hanging onto the walls. The most common problem is something called BPPV – Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. Many people have this type of vertigo with and without diabetes. It can come and go or be permanent. People who have diabetes have a higher risk of problems with their vestibular system because of the damage done to your nervous system.

All three of these complications contribute to three things. One is called postural sway. If you don't have good balance, you're likely to be swaying a bit and have instability walking. Two, you don't feel like your feet are planted on the ground or that you can move in whatever direction you want. This can lead to a fall. Three, there is a high likelihood of dizziness which can cause nausea and difficulty walking properly.

Vestibular dysfunction is seen in many people who have had diabetes for a long time. Having uncontrolled blood sugar damages the vestibular system and can increase the risk of falls. Falls can lead to broken hips and immobility which can lead to loss of muscle mass and worsening of diabetes.

Here are three things you can do:

• First, get a comprehensive exam from a vestibular physical therapist. They specialize in vestibular problems and can determine what are the problems and how to direct treatment.
• Second, get some balance training. As you get older, you may tend to have issues with your balance anyway. Try standing on one foot and then the other, close to a countertop or chair, and see which side of your body has better balance. Strength training helps keep your muscles strong and helps you with your balance.
• Third, get your blood sugar under control and do your best to keep it that way.

Dr Elaine

Download my Free 30 Day Guide to Manage or Reverse Type 2 Diabetes here:  https://www.drelainestewart.com/30-day-guide

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This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider for advice about a specific medical condition.

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