Problems with balance are common for people with concussion. Dizziness and feeling “off balance” when you are sitting or standing often happens at some point during your recovery.

Your balance depends on many factors including:

• Medicines: Many common medicines can make you feel dizzy, off balance, and lightheaded. Ask your doctor if any of the medicines you are taking may be causing dizziness or balance problems. Your doctor may suggest changing the medicine or dose.
• Blood pressure: A drop in your blood pressure when standing or sitting up suddenly can make you feel lightheaded and dizzy. Having your blood pressure taken while you are lying, sitting, and standing may help your doctor or healthcare provider find balance problems that are related to your blood pressure.
• Problems with eyesight: Eyesight is important to keep your balance. Eyesight problems such as double vision, visual instability, partial loss of vision, and problems with depth perception can make your balance worse.
• Inner ear problems: If your vestibular system (tiny organs in your inner ear) is damaged, you may have problems with balance and dizziness, or get a sudden feeling that either you’re spinning or your head is spinning. Following a concussion, the brain can get abnormal signals about the position and movement of your head in space. A vestibular physical therapist may be able to help you regain your balance.

 

Managing balance and dizziness symptoms

• If you need to do something visual like reading or using the computer do it for a short time and take breaks.
• Set a timer to remind youself to rest your eyes for 10 to 15 minutes every hour. Rest your eyes more frequently if your symptoms return. Try relaxation exercises that focus on body awareness.
• Use your finger, a bookmark, or line guide when reading so your eyes don’t have to work as hard to move over the page. Limit how much you scan and scroll on the computer.
• Listen to audiobooks instead of reading.
• Make the font on your computer bigger.
• Adjust your screen settings so there’s less glare.
• Limit social activities to small groups of people. Increase the length of time and size of the group as you can tolerate.
• When you eat out, go early or late and ask for a table on the outer edge of the restaurant. Face a wall so you don’t see people and staff moving around.
• Stay away from busy places that have lots to look at and can make you dizzy, like movies theatres or sporting events.

Write it down!Print off the “Strategies to Try” Journal. Choose 2 or 3 ideas to try this week to help with balance problems and dizziness.