Balance Problems from Peripheral Neuropathy

Dr. Brian Heaberlin, ENT Doctor form Lexington, SC, explains how balance disorders can be related to neuropathy from diabetes or spine problems.

[hannabaal]

I have "idiopathic" peripheral neuropathy, since I'm not a diabetic. I have balance issues. My doc gave me an antihistamine. It didn't help but it did make me sleepy. It started a couple years ago and I was consuming lots of sugar and lots of carbs, so I cut out the sugar and get my carbs from veggies now. It hasn't gone away but I feel better overall.

[actiondisplays]

Excellent !!! Thanks Doc! I've been noticing my balance progressively getting worse, (even when not drinking j/k). Noticed too that I really have to keep my diet in check, can't eat everything in sight like the younger days. So your explanation has been an eye opener! If I have too many carbs, or something with sugar, I'll feel pins and needles almost instantly in my feet, but never linked the crazy balance thing with neuropathy! You gave us more in 2 minutes than many! Keep up the good work! All the best, -Mike

[BobG]

There is *ALWAYS* a reason. "Idiopathic" simply means that you don't know what that reason is.

[saltlifegull]

WOW, had no idea. Outstanding video and THANKS!! Good deal that this dr responds to comments. That means a lot and shows he really cares. PS His eyes are gorgeous!

[dustinmiller]

From what I've read and my symptoms I've lost sensation from waist down with in the past month I've lost a lot of ballanced movement and with the loss of of feeling in my hands and legs I've come to the conclusion I have polyneropthy peripheral neuropathy

[Gershwin]

I have this and when showering with my eyes closed I need to touch the wall with my elbow to keep from tipping. Walking into a dark bedroom with obstacles is a real challenge. I can’t turn on the light since spouse is sleeping. Often use phone light to get there without crashing.

[gurgurgur]

Vitamin B1 helps. Also eat fresh plant based food

[mixc]

All can Peripheral Neuropathy cause what's called heavy/rubber legs and lost of balance?

[garydunn]

I am diabetic and began to notice numbness in my feet, particularly in bed. This was around
a year ago, and around that time, I began to develop walking problems. This has now progressed
to the point, that I am unable to walk properly, and if I walk across a busy street, and turn my head
quickly, I feel dizzy. I am unable to keep my sugar levels down at present, but I am under a lot of
stress at the moment, visiting my severely disabled Mother in a Nursing Home. She has got to
the point where she is not even able to speak anymore. She was diagnosed with Cervical
Myelopathy after a routine operation went wrong. Back to me, I have developed a heavy feeling
in my head, like someone is pushing down on it. Could this be causing my walking problems?

[sunray]

My mom rolled her ankle. Last year she fell off the step outside. This past winter she slipped on ice. Today I came home and she said she just tipped over backwards and landed on her butt. Must be her sprained ankle she sprained multiple times

[frankmiller]

I developed balance issue on March 9th, 2014... doctors haven't help yet.

[elvisedimo]

Check the electrolytes! Especially sodium. Do not say idiopathic. There must be some thing in there causing the problems.

[briang.]

At night the pain gets pretty bad best treatment is a far infared heat pad.

[MsShellybell]

Stairs are my enemy and I have noticed vision changes as well but I am getting hurt a lot because Of the numbness in my feet and I can't drive to far because my feet hurt.

[swampfox]

Almost 65. Compressed my first lumbar in a motorcycle accident when in my late 20’s was wondering what was causing my balance problem!

[aninditakarmakar]

My mother is unable to walk since one year. She is also having burning feeling at foot and also tighs. She is having maxgabalin 50 one capsule and liofen xl 20. She is not diabetic and have no other problem. All these started after she had covid last year
What to do now doc kindly suggest.

[ktrkradio]

Why don't videos ever adress nerve damage at time of trauma. It's diabetec this or that ?

[Neoyorchese]

5+ years of not finding balance. started after a fainting episode and never wants to goa way 24/7 suffering

[leaveittolefty]

really no cure or treatment for this soooo ice cream and cake it is! waiting for the reaper💀🥹