Are you (or someone you know) feeling off-balance? It's not unusual... When we are young, we just take it for granted that our bodies will keep us steady, in balance and mostly upright – even when we slip or trip. With illness or ageing, things can start to malfunction or fail.

Why might you feel unsteady? There are up to 200 different reasons, any of which might be the culprit – and there’s usually more than one factor involved. Here’s just a few of the more common things that can upset our sense of steadiness:

· medications
· weak muscles
· vision problems
· inner ear disturbances
· sore feet
· blood pressure problems
· back pain
· poor posture
· bad walking habits
· unsuitable shoes

Sometimes medical investigations are necessary, but in most cases a bit of professional advice and help can make a big difference.

If you are starting to get anxious, losing confidence, feel your balance has got worse recently or if you’ve been tripping up more than you used to, don’t ignore the signs. Talk to your GP, or click here to find out how to get help.

For professionals