Neighbor News
Balance Problems Could Be Warning Sign
Balance problems could put you at risk of falls. But there are other potential issues at play.
Q. I notice that my balance is not what it used to be. I know this is part of aging, but I’m concerned about the road ahead. Aside from falls, are balance issues an indicator of any other problems for an 80-year-old like me?
As you point out, balance problems could put you at risk of falls. But there are other potential issues at play.
A new study that finds seniors – average age 67 – who have trouble balancing on one leg for at least 20 seconds may have increased risk of small blood vessel damage in the brain – stroke – and reduced cognitive ability.
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The research included healthy older people with no clinical symptoms, according to the report in the American Heart Association’s journal Stroke.
“Our study found that the ability to balance on one leg is an important test for brain health,” said Yasuharu Tabara, Ph.D., lead study author and associate professor at the Center for Genomic Medicine at Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine in Kyoto, Japan.
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“Individuals showing poor balance on one leg should receive increased attention, as this may indicate an increased risk for brain disease and cognitive decline.”
The study consisted of 841 women and 546 men. To measure one-leg standing time, participants stood with their eyes open and raised one leg. The maximum time for keeping the leg raised was 60 seconds.
Participants performed this examination twice and the better of the two times was used in the study analysis. Cerebral small vessel disease was evaluated using brain magnetic resonance imaging.
Researchers found that the inability to balance on one leg for longer than 20 seconds was associated with cerebral small vessel disease and the potential for strokes.
Please discuss your concerns with your doctor. And to reduce your risk of falls, be sure your home is not a safety trap. Go to MakingHomeSaferforSeniors.com for a home safety tour and checklist that can alert you to the potential safety hazards in your home.
Or, if you need help to remain independent and safe in your home, contact your local Home Instead Senior Care® office. Home Instead hires CAREGiversSM who are screened, trained, bonded and insured. Call today to learn more.
For more information about Home Instead Senior Care®, contact Sharon Massafra at 203-386-1151 or go to HomeInstead.com/307.
For more about the study, visit http://blog.heart.org/ability-balance-one-leg-may-reflect-brain-health-stroke-risk/.
