The constantly moving belt of a treadmill can be difficult if you’re having problems balancing. If you fall on a treadmill, you risk injuries from being thrown from the machine. There are several medical conditions that cause dizziness, so anytime you’re having difficulties balancing on a treadmill, consult your doctor.
Identification
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis are all conditions that have similar symptoms of vertigo that can range in severity. Vertigo gives you a sense that you or the room are spinning. Walking on a treadmill can be difficult because of the imbalance sensation. In addition, you may feel weak, lightheaded and nauseous. Labyrinthitis can cause hearing loss or ringing in the ears, according to the Vestibular Disorders Association.
Causes
Nerve and structure problems of the inner ear cause general feelings of vertigo. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is a common cause of dizziness and occurs when tiny calcium particles that stimulate the nerve cells of your inner ear clump or break loose. Under normal circumstances, the calcium particles stimulating nerve cells tell the brain how far the head will move. If these particles are clumped or loose, an exaggerated message of how far the head is moving is sent to the brain and makes you feel dizzy, according to FamilyDoctor.org. Labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis result from a virus that inflames the inner ear or the nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain. Bacteria also causes these types of inflammations.
Diagnoses and Treatment
Your doctor will rule out any underlying medical conditions causing your loss of balance on the treadmill. Magnetic resonance imaging, also known as an MRI, rules out tumors or other brain abnormalities. A doctor will test your eye movement and test your posture, having you stand on a platform and testing your balance in a variety of conditions, according to MayoClinic.com. To treat benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, a physical therapist will have you perform head movements that move calcium particles out of the inner ear canal, according to FamilyDoctor.org. If labyrinthitis or vestibular neuritis are causing your balance problems, an antibacterial will be used; however, viruses typically need to run their course. If you’ve experienced dizziness for a long time, than do vestibular rehabilitation exercises.
Considerations
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis are not always the cause of your imbalance. Joint and muscle pain can cause imbalance while on a treadmill, especially if the pain is located in weight-bearing joints, according to MayoClinic.com. Certain medications may have dizziness warnings so this could cause difficulties balancing on a treadmill. While having difficulties with your balance, you may consider an elliptical as an alternative aerobic activity that does not have a moving belt.
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