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17/07/2019

What is the most common cause of dizziness in the elderly?

What is the most common cause of dizziness in the elderly?

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.

What makes the elderly get dizzy?

Although the causes of dizziness in older people are multifactorial, peripheral vestibular dysfunction is one of the most frequent causes. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is the most frequent form of vestibular dysfunction in the elderly, followed by Meniere’s disease.

Is dizziness a symptom of old age?

As you age, you’re naturally at a higher risk for some conditions, including dizziness. This is because dizziness is a symptom of other health conditions common with old age. Changes in blood pressure. As you age, your heart isn’t as effective at pumping blood through your body.

What helps with dizziness in the elderly?

Therapy

  1. Head position maneuvers. A technique called canalith repositioning (or Epley maneuver) usually helps resolve benign paroxysmal positional vertigo more quickly than simply waiting for your dizziness to go away.
  2. Balance therapy.
  3. Psychotherapy.

What is the home remedy for dizziness in elderly?

Steps people can take to relieve dizziness include:

  1. lying down and closing the eyes.
  2. acupuncture.
  3. drinking plenty of water and keeping hydrated.
  4. reducing stress plus alcohol and tobacco intake.
  5. getting plenty of sleep.

What helps dizziness naturally?

Why is dizziness a problem for the elderly?

Dizziness causes instability that makes the elderly lose their balance. In effect, it can cause severe injuries from falls, leading to impairments and loss of mobility. These falls can be dangerous as well. For this reason, a person who experiences this condition frequently should seek medical advice.

What to do about dizziness at all ages?

At all ages, about one-third of patients with dizziness will go undiagnosed. These patients usually need to be followed more closely than patients in whom a clear diagnosis is available. Empirical trials of medication, psychiatric consultation, and vestibular physical therapy may be helpful options.

What are the symptoms of vertigo and dizziness?

The terms dizziness and vertigo cover a variety of symptoms regarding disorders of spatial orientation and motion perception, such as the illusion of rotatory motion (classical rotatory vertigo) or the feeling of unsteadiness, which can affect objectively the ability to achieve a stable gaze, posture, and gait (1).

Why is dizziness and imbalance a public health concern?

A population-based study in the United States reported that 24% of people older than 72 years have dizziness [1]. Dizziness and imbalance in older people are a growing public health concern, because older individuals who suffer from dizziness have a significantly higher risk of accidental falls and consequent injuries [2,3].