5 tracks to find the balance

5 tracks to find the balance

Between untimely falls and a feeling of instability, the soil has an unfortunate tendency to escape. Do not panic: we give you the keys to keep your feet on the ground.

1) My joints are stiff and I wobble

The diagnosis: probably a little osteoarthritis

This feeling of being "rusty", when the arms, legs or back are difficult to mobilize, even painful, is characteristic of osteoarthritis. But this is not a fatality! "Osteoarthritis is not a normal consequence of aging, as we all too often believe," says rheumatologist Dr. Francis Berenbaum. It is a real disease against which we can fight. "

The solution: adapted exercises

Yes, painkillers can sometimes provide services. But the most important thing is to maintain the mobility of your joints. In The Big Book of Osteoarthritis (Ed Eyrolles), Professor Berenbaum and physiotherapist Jerome Auger propose exercises adapted to each type of osteoarthritis. To mobilize both the knee and the hip, we can for example repeat this movement ten times a day: lying on the back, legs bent, we catch the leg with hands crossed under the knee and we bring the thigh in the direction of chest.

2) I'm dizzy before meals

The diagnosis: hypoglycemia

Hypoglycaemia is aided by problems of poorly balanced diabetes, but also by poorly conducted diets or the fact, simply, that we have less appetite than before. It causes more or less intense discomfort, responsible for imbalances and falls.

The solution: a balanced diet

If you are on antidiabetic treatment, you must consult your doctor to revise the prescription. But if this is not the case, we can avoid hypoglycemic crises by rebalancing its base in favor of foods called "low glycemic index", such as whole grains or lentils. Unlike quick sugars (white bread, pastries, sweets ...), they do not cause this peak blood sugar followed by a sharp drop.

3) I get more and more feet in the carpet

Diagnosis: a tiredness

Are you sure to sleep well? Even if you think this is the case, it is possible that you actually suffer from sleep apnea. When sleeping, the airways may be slightly obstructed. The air goes bad ... and we snore. Sometimes breathing may even stop for a few seconds: it is sleep apnea syndrome. "It is a common pathology among seniors, which does not affect that overweight people," says Professor de Wazières.

The solution: anti-snoring measures

Be careful not to lie on your back, but sleep on your side for easy breathing. Avoid sleeping pills and get an anti-snore nose clip. If this is not enough, consult a specialist sleep doctor, as apnea can have other serious consequences, especially on the cardiovascular system.

4) I'm easily unbalanced from a sprain

The diagnosis: a bad recovery

"We must not neglect a sprain, even if we feel that it is not much, recommends Jerome Auger, physiotherapist. Otherwise, the ligaments may not hold properly and the ankle becomes unstable. Proprioception is also impaired. It is this ability that we have to perceive the different parts of our body in space and to keep ourselves in balance. It works thanks to muscle and ligament receptors.

The solution: proprioception exercises

Jerome Auger advises to train each day to stand ten seconds in balance on one leg, eyes closed, to work coordination and balance. It is thus possible to reeducate the ligament receptors. Nevertheless, it is prudent to consult a physiotherapist in parallel, to verify that the ankle does not need, in addition, strengthening exercises.

5) I feel like I'm always unstable

Diagnosis: maybe a problem with the foot

Horns or calluses are caused by repeated rubbing at a specific location. If no treatment is taken and all else is well, it is possible that the disorders of balance are caused by these callosities or a localized deformation of the foot (like a hallux valgus). Bad support can even result in pain in the knees or ankles.