Equilibrium perception is essential for movement and staying upright, and is controlled by the vestibular system in the inner ear. Impaired function can cause dizziness, disorientation, and nausea, and should be reported to a doctor for treatment.
Commonly called the sense of balance, equilibriumception is one of the key physiological senses in both animals and humans. Necessary for both movement and staying upright, the process of equilibrium perception takes place in the vestibular system. When some factor affects the functioning of the system, the sense of balance is impaired and mobility becomes extremely difficult to achieve.
One of the key components of the vestibular system is the inner ear. This is where the fluid known as endolymph is housed in the labyrinth. The movement of endolymph within the labyrinth helps maintain proper balance and allows humans to be able to walk upright, as well as stay in one position for longer periods of time. When inner ear function is impaired in any way, the individual begins to experience periods where standing or walking is less comfortable. In some cases, these activities can become impossible.
When equilibrium perception is adversely affected by disease or some other factor, several symptoms can emerge. Often, the individual may experience spells of dizziness when attempting to stand or walk. In extreme cases, the individual may be bedridden and unable to even sit up in bed. Nausea is also a common symptom associated with balance issues. The degree of nausea experienced varies from mild discomfort to a strong sense of being about to regurgitate.
Disorientation can also be a sign of some sort of problem with balance perception. The individual may experience a sense of dizziness, being unable to determine which direction is up or down. When coupled with nausea, disorientation can quickly lead to a sense of panic and lead the sufferer to reach a state where the body and mind work to shut down.
Almost everyone experiences some problem with balance perception at some point in time. The sense of balance can be temporarily impaired by illnesses such as the common cold. As the condition weakens and recovery begins, equilibrium perception usually returns to normal. For people with particularly sensitive balance, even activities like riding a carousel can have a negative effect on balance perception.
Although most problems with balance perception are short-lived, any persistent or recurring problems with balance should be reported to a doctor immediately. Often, the cause can be quickly identified and effective treatment can be administered that will restore a sense of balance in a very short period of time.
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