Dizziness is one of the most common problems in the elderly.
Dizziness or lightheadedness are very unpleasant symptoms, sometimes causing terror for the affected person. Special attention should be paid to patients with underlying medical conditions such as anemia, high blood pressure, stroke … or accompanying symptoms such as headache, difficulty swallowing, numbness in the limbs when dizzy or lightheaded.
What are the leading causes of dizziness in the elderly?
There can be many different causes of dizziness in the elderly and sometimes dizziness can be a symptom of a more serious medical condition or a sign that something else is going on.
Six main causes of dizziness in seniors:
1. Dehydration
This is one of the main causes of health problems, including dizziness and lightheadedness. Dehydration can also lead to a variety of health problems for anyone, not just seniors. Make sure you drink at least eight glasses of water a day to keep your body hydrated.
2. Hypoglycemia
This occurs when your blood sugar drops to dangerous levels. It usually affects people with diabetes. Hypoglycemia can cause a variety of symptoms, including muscle weakness, dizziness, loss of balance, feeling lightheaded, and loss of consciousness.
3. Medication
Seniors often take medication to treat conditions such as high blood pressure, loss of bone density, or diabetes. However, some medications can have side effects, including dizziness and lightheadedness. To avoid these side effects, make sure you check that your dosage is correct, and if your symptoms persist, talk to your doctor as you may need a new prescription.
4. Sudden Changes in Blood Pressure
Older adults are more likely to experience high blood pressure and low blood pressure due to other health conditions, and these changes can cause sudden episodes of feeling lightheaded or dizzy. These symptoms can also be a warning sign of a medical emergency. We strongly recommend that you monitor your blood pressure with a home blood pressure monitor.
5. Peripheral Vertigo
Older adults may experience problems with the vestibular system or inner ear. While not as life-threatening as other causes, it can be disabling. These episodes can also prevent you from spending more time with loved ones or the retirement you had planned for.
6. Head or Neck Injury
Sometimes, head and neck injuries can cause problematic symptoms ranging from migraines, severe neck pain, dizziness, and vertigo due to their impact on the C1 and C2 bones. The force from such events damages the ligaments that hold the bones of the neck in place, leaving you vulnerable to postural imbalances and their associated side effects, such as neurovascular compression.
It is important to note that these misalignments in the upper cervical spine cannot heal on their own without the intervention of a cervical chiropractor. And the longer the postural imbalance persists, the worse its effects on your body.
How to Control Dizziness in Seniors?
While treating the cause of dizziness is always the first step, there are additional steps that seniors and their loved ones can take to help control and reduce dizziness.
If someone is experiencing dizziness due to an inner ear problem, some gentle balance exercises can help relieve the symptom while improving strength.
In some cases, a doctor may prescribe medication to help relieve dizziness, but this will depend on the cause.
Some measures that can be taken to manage dizziness on a daily basis in older people include:
- Stay active, do light exercise and daily activities
- Install handrails in key areas of the home such as landings, bathrooms next to toilets and bathtubs
- Ensure all medications are clearly labelled and taken at the correct time and dose
- Always get up slowly to reduce the risk of dizziness
- Sit down to prepare food when possible
- Ensure floors are level and free of clutter that could increase the risk of falling
- Ensure there is adequate lighting in all rooms used in the home, including hallways and family rooms
- Use a ‘grabbing’ cane to reach high or low objects to minimise the need to reach up or down
- Wear a personal alarm system so that help can be called if an older person falls or becomes unwell.
