Dizziness and Balance Problems in Kids
Spinning Sensations and Unsteadiness
\n ![\"Illustration](\"https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/files/mar2016/images/feature2.jpg\")
\n Most people feel dizzy now and then. Kids, like adults, may occasionally feel lightheaded or unsteady. But if such feelings repeat or interfere with everyday life, it could be a sign of a balance disorder.
\nMost balance problems are temporary and easy to treat. But these problems may also signal a more serious condition that could have a lasting impact. Learn to recognize the signs of dizziness or balance problems that may warrant a trip to a doctor.
\nExperts have long suspected that dizziness and balance problems are often overlooked and untreated, but the scope of the problem wasn\u2019t fully understood. That\u2019s why NIH supported the largest national survey to date to uncover information about these disorders in children. The study included data on nearly 11,000 kids, ages 3 to 17.
\nThe researchers found that more than 1 in 20 kids in the U.S. had a dizziness or balance problem, and only one-third of them received treatment in the previous year. \u201cThe findings suggest that dizziness and balance problems are fairly common among children,\u201d says Dr. James F. Battey, Jr., a pediatrician and director of NIH\u2019s National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
\nOur sense of balance is a complex process. It\u2019s managed by signals between the brain, ears, eyes, and sensors in the joints and other body parts. This intricate system helps your body monitor and maintain its position as you move throughout the day, without you even having to think about it. But if any of these many sensory signals go wrong, it can weaken your sense of balance.
\nBalance disorders can make you stagger when walking. You might teeter or fall when trying to stand. Affected people might feel like they themselves or the world around them is spinning or moving\u2014a condition known as vertigo. Other symptoms can include blurred vision, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion, and anxiety.
\nCommon causes of balance problems in children range from ear infections, severe headaches, and certain medications to more serious neurological disorders, head or neck injuries, and genetic conditions. In many cases, the study\u2019s researchers found, an underlying cause wasn\u2019t reported.
\nBalance disorders can be difficult to recognize and understand. They can be especially hard to diagnose in young children. Kids may not know the right words to describe their symptoms. Affected children may talk about a \u201cspinning feeling.\u201d They may say their tummy or head feels bad or weird. They may walk unsteadily or seem clumsy.
\n\u201cParents who notice dizziness and balance problems in their children should consult a health care provider to rule out a serious underlying condition,\u201d Battey says.
\nYour child\u2019s pediatrician will likely ask questions about when the symptoms first appeared, how long they last, how often they occur, and what medications the child is taking. Your child\u2019s eyes and ears will be examined, and hearing and balance may be tested. You may be referred to a specialist, such as an otolaryngologist\u2014a doctor with expertise in the ear, nose, and throat.
\nTreatment will depend on the underlying cause. The good news is that most dizziness and balance problems in children are temporary and treatable. Still, it\u2019s important to check with a health professional if you notice any problems.
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References:
\nEpidemiology of Dizziness and Balance Problems in Children in the United States: A Population-Based Study. Li CM, Hoffman HJ, Ward BK, Cohen HS, Rine RM. J Pediatr. 2016 Jan 23. pii: S0022-3476(15)01512-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2015.12.002. [Epub ahead of print]. PMID: 26826885.
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