Feeling dizzy or experiencing a sensation of imbalance is common among seniors, but it can put them at a high risk of falls. According to the US National Library of Medicine, 24% of people above the age of 72 years have reported dizziness. While there are several reasons why someone would feel dizzy, vertigo is considered to be one of the most common causes. When it comes to geriatric care, it is imperative to rule out other possible reasons for dizziness like problems with the heart or brain, or urinary issues. Here are some questions that can help a person understand if the dizziness faced by seniors is due to vertigo:
1. Dizziness and head movements
Vertigo is usually caused by fast or irregular head movement. Its symptoms may get worse with further head movements. It is also quite common to notice the senior having trouble rolling over in the bed, which is largely attributed to vertigo. Taking note of this factor will help a doctor understand if symptoms are caused by vertigo or some other disease.
2. Spinning sensations
One of the striking symptoms of vertigo is experiencing a spinning sensation, which is usually mistaken for lightheadedness. People with vertigo may either feel like they are spinning or the room around them is spinning. This is a reliable indicator of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).
3. Rapid involuntary eye movements
BPPV occurs due to deposits of small calcium particles in the canals of the inner ear. The inner ear sends signals with respect to gravity to help us maintain balance. BPPV affects the transmission of these signals, leading to imbalance and dizziness, and often developing into vertigo. This type of vertigo is sometimes known to be associated with rapid involuntary eye movements, referred to as nystagmus.
4. Ringing sounds
A study by the US National Library of Medicine has shown that between 3% and 11% of seniors have reported Meniere’s disease, which is known to lead to vertigo attacks. Meniere’s disease is a disorder where there is a combination of fluid build-up and fluctuations in ear pressure. When a person gets episodes of vertigo there is usually a ringing sensation in the ears, commonly known as tinnitus.
5. Common causes of vertigo in elderly patients
Besides the factors mentioned above, vertigo episodes in the elderly could also occur due to several factors—such as migraine headaches, brain-related problems like stroke or tumor, or head or neck injury.
To summarize, vertigo is quite common in seniors. Doctors must be cautious while recommending medications, since seniors are more susceptible to side effects. Vestibular rehabilitation exercises (or therapy) have proven to be helpful if they are done as early as possible. These exercises largely focus on spatial and gaze awareness and are taught by trained experts. The exercises recommended may vary based on factors like the intensity of vertigo, age of the person, and other complications that they experience.
