Elderly patients have multiple reasons for losing their balance. Muscles are weaker, spines start to twist, bones may become brittle. Add vascular problems, vision loss, polypharmacy, and a sedentary lifestyle, and it's no wonder that complaints of vertigo or dizziness affect some 70% of individuals age 65 or older.
Vertigo in Seniors
BPPV is caused when the tiny crystals in your inner ear are dislodged from their usual position. This can result in a brief but very intense sensation of vertigo – dizziness that feels like you or your surroundings are spinning – when you move your head or body.
In older patients, physical activity and vestibular rehabilitation exercises are recommended for more rapid and complete vestibular compensation; repositioning maneuvers are highly indicated and effective in the older population with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.
The prevalence of vertigo and dizziness in people aged more than 60 years reaches 30%, and due to aging of world population, the number of patients is rapidly increasing.
The most common cause of dizziness in the elderly is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). BPPV is caused when the calcium carbonate crystals in the otolithic organs of the inner ear are dislodged from the gelatinous membrane that normally holds them in place.
Overall, dizziness and vertigo are the symptoms most tightly linked to missed stroke.
Alzheimer's disease is similar because vertigo may be one of the earlier signs you may experience. There's a specific form of this disease called posterior cortical atrophy, affecting your cerebellum, leading to vertigo and balance problems. As you can see, vertigo and dementia often go hand in hand together.
Is vertigo a serious condition? Vertigo can be scary but the condition itself isn't considered serious. However, vertigo can be linked to other potentially serious health conditions. That's why you should inform your healthcare provider if you experience recurrent or prolonged vertigo attacks.
Generally, see your doctor if you experience any recurrent, sudden, severe, or prolonged and unexplained dizziness or vertigo. Get emergency medical care if you experience new, severe dizziness or vertigo along with any of the following: Sudden, severe headache. Chest pain.
Vertigo is a symptom of various conditions where someone has a problem with the inner ear, brain, or sensory nerve pathway. Conditions that may cause vertigo include labyrinthitis, vestibular neuritis, Ménière's disease, and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).
If you're experiencing a vertigo attack, the best thing to do is lie down in a quiet, dark room, close your eyes, and take deep breaths. This may help ease any nausea symptoms and reduce the sensation of spinning.
Most people with vertigo get better without treatment. Treatment will depend on the cause. A GP might prescribe antibiotics if it's caused by an infection. You could also be given exercises to do to try to correct your balance.
Can dehydration lead to vertigo? If you're dehydrated, you may start to feel dizzy. This feeling can cause you to also experience lightheadedness, wooziness, fairness and unsteadiness. You may also experience a very specific form of dizziness called vertigo.
Pick up a banana
To replenish blood glucose, low levels of which can cause dizziness. Low blood glucose – aka hypoglycaemia - is especially a risk for people with diabetes.
Is vertigo a symptom of a brain tumor? Room spinning dizziness is a not a common brain tumor symptom and is more often related to an inner ear problem.
Vertigo is commonly caused by a problem with the way balance works in the inner ear, although it can also be caused by problems in certain parts of the brain. Causes of vertigo may include: benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) – where certain head movements trigger vertigo. migraines – severe headaches.
These episodes are triggered by a rapid change in head movement, such as when you turn over in bed, sit up or experience a blow to the head. BPPV is the most common cause of vertigo. Infection. A viral infection of the vestibular nerve, called vestibular neuritis, can cause intense, constant vertigo.
There are two types of vertigo, peripheral and central vertigo.
The list of drugs that may cause vertigo or dizziness is impressive. It includes anti-convulsants, anesthetics, anti-depressants, analgesics, anti-diabetics, contraceptives, anti-inflammatory drugs, cardiovascular drugs, sedatives, tranquillizers, cytotoxic agents, and anti-hypertensive agents.
Driving with Dizziness is Against the Law
If you are dizzy at all or recovering from a vertigo attack, then driving should be avoided.
Clinicians have noted an association between vestibular dysfunction and cognitive impairment. Patients with dizziness/vertigo frequently complain of memory loss or cognitive decline.
When our vestibular system is affected by a disease like vertigo, labyrinthitis or Meniere's disease, we experience confusion, discombobulation and memory issues.
One of the precursors of dementia has now been identified as an increase in fainting and dizzy spells – something you may have noticed in your loved one before they were diagnosed with a dementia-related illness.
Vertigo probably isn't a blood pressure issue
“Vertigo symptoms are very unlikely to be caused by any type of blood pressure issues,” Dr. Laffin says. “For most people, it's an inner ear issue.” If you're experiencing frequent vertigo, it's important to talk to your doctor to try to identify and treat the cause.