Health
Ask an expert: ‘Is poor balance a sign of a serious health issue?’
While some people tend to be a little clumsier than others, constantly bumping into things could be a sign of a serious health issue.
For some, poor balance can lead to a decreased quality of life, loss of independence and even severe health complications, according to Ninoska Alvarez, a physical therapist and balance specialist with Brooks Rehabilitation in Florida.
“As we age, the three sensory systems that impact balance — the visual system, somatosensory system and vestibular system — can deteriorate, which results in balance issues,” Alvarez said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
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“Whenever one or more of these systems no longer functions as well as it once did, balance deficits can arise.”
For issues that come on suddenly, stroke is typically the most common issue, Alvarez said.
Three sensory systems impact our balance: the visual system, somatosensory system and vestibular system, said a physical therapist. (iStock)
“For some slower progressive diseases that can cause issues, it may be multiple sclerosis (though initial symptoms can come on suddenly), degenerative diseases in the brain (such as cerebellar degeneration), Parkinson’s disease or Guillain-Barre syndrome,” she said.
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Not all cases of poor balance are linked to serious health issues.
Issues with the inner ear can suddenly change one’s stability, Alvarez noted.
“Gradual worsening of balance can also occur for people who develop peripheral neuropathy (issues affecting the ability of the nerves, usually in the lower leg, to send or receive information),” she said.
Some warning signs of more serious issues include sudden significant changes in stability, sudden changes in vision, an inability to speak — and the onset of what feels like the “worst headache ever,” an expert said. (iStock)
Changes after periods of immobilization or lessened mobility — often seen if someone is hospitalized for a while or suffers an injury that affects the ability to stand or walk for a period of time — can also affect balance, Alvarez added.
4 warning signs to know
If you notice any of these red flags, it’s a good idea to reach out to a medical professional for an evaluation, Alvarez advised.
Sign No. 1: Relying on external support
Using railings, furniture, people or other items to help you move around more than usual could indicate that you have trouble maintaining your balance independently, said Alvarez.
“An increase in tripping or stumbling may be a sign of poor balance.”
Sign No. 2: Feeling disoriented in the dark
“If you struggle to navigate your environment in the dark — for example, when using the bathroom in the middle of the night — your body might be trying to tell you that your balance systems aren’t working as they should,” the therapist noted.
Unintentional falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries across every age group, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (iStock)
Sign No. 3: Feeling unsteady with eyes closed
If you feel unsteady while standing or completing a task with your eyes closed — such as when washing your hair in the shower — that could be a sign that your balance is too reliant on visual input and that one or more of your balance systems are not functioning correctly, according to Alvarez.
Sign No. 4: Vertigo or an increase in tripping
“Vertigo and dizziness can be symptoms of an underlying issue affecting balance, such as problems with the inner ear or vestibular system,” Alvarez told Fox News Digital.
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“An increase in tripping or stumbling may be a sign of poor balance, potentially due to muscle weakness, neurological issues or other factors affecting balance,” she added.
These conditions also increase the risk of falls.
Multi-modal exercise is one of the most effective means of improving balance and reducing fall risk, a physical therapist said. (iStock)
Additional warning signs of more serious issues include sudden significant changes in stability, sudden changes in vision, an inability to speak, the onset of what feels like the “worst headache ever” and sudden weakness in the body, the doctor said.
For non-emergency symptoms, Alvarez recommends seeing a primary care physician, who will likely provide a referral to a neurologist. If there is any concern about an emergency, he said to visit the emergency department of a hospital.
Preventing balance issues
Alvarez shared two of the most effective ways to prevent future balance issues.
Multi-modal exercise
“While exercising is fantastic, multi-modal exercise training is even better,” Alvarez said.
“Seek out help if you notice your balance is deteriorating before it results in a fall and potential injury.”
“By engaging in diverse physical activities and targeting cardio, flexibility, mobility and strength as opposed to just one form of exercise, you can ensure that your body, balance and sensory systems are more resilient as you age.”
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Fall-proofing strategies
Unintentional falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries across every age group, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
For those experiencing balance issues, a primary care physician will likely provide a referral for a neurological exam. (iStock)
To help prevent dangerous spills, Alvarez recommends fall-proofing your home by using nightlights and removing environmental hazards such as throw rugs or electrical cords.
“In addition, always try to keep an eye on pets when moving around, as tripping on dogs or cats can result in a fall,” she warned.
“It’s essential to understand that balance can always improve,” Alvarez added.
“Please seek out help if you notice your balance is deteriorating before it results in a fall and potential injury.”
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Research continues to uncover new details on how fasting may help extend life.
A new study published in the journal Nature Communications investigated how intermittent fasting can boost longevity in small worms often used in aging research.
Researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas compared worms that were fed normally to those that underwent a 24-hour fast in early adulthood and were then fed again, according to a press release.
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The scientists measured a variety of factors, including stored fat, gene activity related to fat metabolism and lifespan.
The results showed that the life-boosting benefit did not depend on the fasting itself but on the body’s behavior after eating again.
Experts say sustainability is key when choosing a long-term weight-loss strategy. (iStock)
Study lead Peter Douglas, associate professor of molecular biology and a member of the Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine at UT Southwestern, suggested that these discoveries “shift the focus toward a neglected side of the metabolic coin – the re-feeding phase.”
“Our data suggest that the health-promoting effects of intermittent fasting are not merely a product of the fast itself, but are dependent on how the metabolic machinery recalibrates during the subsequent transition back to a fed state,” he said.
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“Our findings bridge a gap between lipid metabolism and aging research,” he added. “By targeting aging, the single greatest risk factor for human disease, we move beyond treating isolated conditions toward a preventive model of medicine that enhances quality of life for all individuals.”
Lauri Wright, director of nutrition programs at the University of South Florida’s College of Public Health, called this a “high-quality” study that adds an “important nuance to how we think about fasting and longevity.”
Intermittent fasting typically involves limiting meals to an eight-hour daily window or fasting every other day. (iStock)
The benefits of the refeeding phase after fasting were “especially interesting,” Wright, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.
“The researchers showed that longevity was linked to the body’s ability to turn off fat breakdown after fasting, allowing cells to restore energy balance,” she reiterated.
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“From a scientific standpoint, that’s a meaningful shift because it suggests fasting is not just about burning fat, but about metabolic flexibility.”
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Fasting may support longevity through triggering metabolic switching, enhancing cellular repair and stress resistance and improving markers like insulin sensitivity, research shows.
Limitations and cautions
Although this study provides “important insight” on the power of refeeding, Wright noted that the findings should be approached with caution, as the study was done on worms and cannot always be translated to humans.
“Additionally, it explains how a process might work in a controlled lab condition rather than real-world eating behaviors,” she added as a limitation. “Finally, the study is short-term and doesn’t give us the long-term translation on lifespan outcomes.”
The review found intermittent fasting was barely more effective than doing nothing, according to the study authors. (iStock)
Wright cautioned that fasting is “not a magic solution for longevity, and how you eat overall matters more than when you eat.”
“I advise, first and foremost, to focus on diet quality, including a variety of fruits and vegetables, healthy fats and minimally processed foods,” she said.
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For those who are considering fasting, it’s better to stick with a moderate plan — like a 12- to 14-hour overnight fast — rather than going to extremes, Wright said. After fasting, she recommends focusing on well-balanced meals.
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Several groups of people should be cautioned against fasting, according to Wright, including those with diabetes who are on insulin or hypoglycemic medications, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, anyone with a history of eating disorders and older adults at risk of malnutrition.
Anyone considering intermittent fasting should consult with a doctor before starting.
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More than three million people travel to undergo cosmetic surgery each year, statistics show — but the potential savings come at a cost.
Most people opting to pursue this so-called “medical tourism” are chasing budget-friendly price tags.
International surgeries, such as hair transplants in Turkey, can cost as little as $4,000 to $5,000 compared to $20,000 to $30,000 in the U.S., but often come with extreme risks, according to board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sheila Nazarian of California.
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The doctor recently joined Lisa Brady on the “The FOX News Rundown” podcast to discuss the rising trend of medical tourism. One of the biggest risks, she said, is the lack of safety regulations in popular destinations like Mexico and Turkey.
As demand spikes in these medical tourism “mills,” there have been reports of non-medically trained staff performing procedures like hair transplants.
Most people opting to pursue “medical tourism” are chasing budget-friendly price tags. (iStock)
“I’ve heard that they [international clinics] are even recruiting people who maybe were taxi drivers and then putting them through their own training program … to become hair transplant technicians,” Nazarian said. “That’s how high the demand has become.”
In the U.S., medical school graduates are granted a “physician and surgeon” license, which means doctors — including pediatricians or OB-GYNs — can legally perform cosmetic surgeries, even if they didn’t receive specialized training for those procedures during residency, Nazarian noted.
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Instead of pinching pennies, the doctor recommended paying whatever amount is necessary to ensure quality treatment.
“People think of it as, you know, going to the mall. … It’s surgery, and surgery has risks,” she said. “You need to be with someone who not only can perform a beautiful surgery, but who can handle possible complications well.”
“You need to ask them: ‘What was your residency training in? And if you wanted to, would you be allowed to do this procedure in a hospital?’”
Aftercare is another critical factor in the success and safety of a cosmetic procedure, as the doctor emphasized that 20% of a surgical result depends on post-operative care.
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This can be difficult or even impossible to manage when a doctor is in a different time zone, she cautioned, or if the clinic disappears shortly after the procedure.
Nazarian also noted the importance of addressing the psychological component of plastic surgery, noting that no procedure will fix underlying unhappiness. The doctor said she uses screening questionnaires to ensure that patients are truly seeking self-improvement rather than a “cure” for deeper issues.
International surgeries, such as hair transplants in Turkey, can cost as little as $4,000 to $5,000 compared to $20,000 to $30,000 in the U.S., but often come with extreme risks. (iStock)
“If you’re not already generally very content with your life, a knife in my hand is not going to bring you there,” Nazarian said.
“The analogy I always give is you don’t want a paisley couch — you want a neutral couch and you can put paisley pillows on it,” she said, noting that a procedure should “make you look normal, God-given, athletic. And then you can change your clothes when the trends come and go.”
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Samuel Golpanian, M.D., a double board-certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, said he has also seen an increasing number of patients undergoing cosmetic procedures abroad, sometimes with “devastating consequences.”
“The key is being extremely careful before embarking on this journey.”
“I’ve seen a wide range of complications, including infections, poor wound healing, significant scarring and tissue necrosis (skin death),” he told Fox News Digital. “These complications often lead to prolonged pain, ongoing medical problems, and significant additional costs to repair the damage.”
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Golpanian said he’s treated patients who received unsafe or non-medical-grade injectable materials, which can lead to serious long-term health issues.
One surgeon said he’s treated patients who received unsafe or non-medical-grade injectable materials, which can lead to serious long-term health issues. (iStock)
“I’ve also seen damage to underlying structures, asymmetry and results that are extremely difficult — sometimes impossible — to correct.”
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“That said, I’ve also seen some good outcomes, so it’s not all bad,” he noted. “The key is being extremely careful before embarking on this journey.”
Quick tips for safe ‘medical tourism’
Fully vet the surgeon. “Most surgeons will provide information about their education and training, but it’s important not to accept these claims at face value,” Golpanian said. “Verify them directly by contacting the institutions where they trained.”
Ask for references from prior patients. Ideally, it’s best to get references from U.S.-based patients who can speak candidly about both their experience and their results, the surgeonsaid.
Think beyond the cost. Golpanian emphasized the adage “you get what you pay for.” “Cost should take a back seat to experience, training, judgment and proven results,” he advised.
Be cautious about relying on before-and-after photos. These can be selective or even enhanced, Golpanian warned.
Keep aftercare in focus. “Make sure the practice emphasizes comprehensive follow-up care and has a clear, realistic post-operative plan in place.”
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