Not for emergencies: If symptoms are sudden, severe, or life-threatening, seek urgent or emergency care. In the United States, call 911. Outside the United States, contact your local emergency number.
Balance, Dizziness & Incoordination Awareness
Balance and coordination problems are symptoms, not diagnoses. They can have many different causes and should be evaluated by a qualified professional.
Changes families may notice
Unsteady walking or new use of walls and furniture for support
Veering to one side while walking
Stumbling or catching a toe on the floor
Dropping objects more than usual
Jerky, uneven, or clumsy movement
Trouble with fine motor tasks (buttons, zippers, utensils, writing)
Slurred, slower, or unusual speech
New tremor or shakiness
Difficulty rising from a chair, toilet, or bed
Fear of falling
Avoiding stairs, showers, or dark areas
Possible contributing factors
Many things can contribute to balance, dizziness, or coordination changes. The list below is for awareness only and is not diagnostic.
Medication effects or combinations (may cause drowsiness or dizziness)
Blood pressure changes when standing
Blood sugar changes
Dehydration
Inner ear conditions
Vision changes
Nerve or foot sensation changes
Muscle weakness or joint pain
Recent illness, hospitalization, or reduced activity
Neurological conditions
A qualified professional (physician, nurse, occupational therapist, or physical therapist) can help identify what may be contributing.
Caregiver notes to bring to an appointment
When the symptoms happen (standing up, walking, turning, in the dark)
How long they last
Any recent medication changes
Falls, near-falls, or new fear of falling
Any related symptoms (headache, vision change, hearing change, nausea)
Stroke-like red flags (use B.E. F.A.S.T.)
Sudden symptoms below can indicate a stroke, which is a medical emergency.
B — Balance: sudden loss of balance or coordination
E — Eyes: sudden vision change in one or both eyes
F — Face: sudden facial droop, uneven smile
A — Arms: sudden weakness or numbness in one arm
S — Speech: sudden slurred, garbled, or difficult speech
T — Time: time to call emergency services immediately
Urgent red flags
Sudden severe headache
Sudden one-sided weakness or numbness
Sudden facial droop
Sudden trouble speaking
Sudden severe dizziness with vomiting or inability to walk
Fainting or loss of consciousness
In the United States, call 911. Outside the United States, contact your local emergency number.
References
These public resources informed the educational safety themes on this page. They do not imply endorsement of this tool.
This section is not a screening tool, risk calculator, diagnosis tool, medication-management tool, or treatment recommendation system.
Privacy note: Do not enter, upload, or share private medical information, medication lists, personal health records, photos, documents, or identifying health details on these educational pages.
This information is for educational caregiver awareness only. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, occupational therapy advice, physical therapy advice, pharmacy advice, legal advice, or emergency guidance. It does not replace an in-person evaluation by a physician, pharmacist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, nurse, or other qualified professional. Do not stop, start, skip, reduce, increase, combine, or change medications without guidance from a qualified prescriber or pharmacist. If symptoms are sudden, severe, worsening, or life-threatening, seek urgent or emergency care.