Dizziness, a disorienting and often distressing feeling, becomes more common as people age and can lead to dangerous falls that affect an older adult’s quality of life
There can be many different causes of dizziness in older adults, and sometimes dizziness can be a symptom of a more serious medical condition or a sign that something else is going on.
You should know the most common causes of dizziness in older adults, including:
- Inner ear problems: A common cause of dizziness, often called vertigo, is inner ear problems. This can be caused by things like migraines, ear infections, or a condition called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).
- Medication side effects: Many older people take multiple medications to help manage a variety of health conditions and may occasionally experience side effects, including dizziness, due to new medications or interactions between different medications they are taking. Most of the time, dizziness is likely to be temporary as the body adjusts and will resolve on its own, but this is not always the case. Any persistent side effects that are concerning should be discussed with their family doctor as there may be other medication management options to explore.
- Abnormal blood pressure: Older people whose blood pressure is considered higher or lower than normal may experience dizziness. Learn more about blood pressure problems in older people.
- Low iron levels: Low iron levels can cause a person to feel dizzy or faint. It is important to get this checked as it can be an easily treatable condition if diagnosed as iron deficiency.
- Low blood sugar: Low blood sugar, known as hypoglycemia, can cause dizziness. Some potentially related conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, are more common in older adults, so you should ask to be tested.
- Dehydration: Staying hydrated is important for older adults, as dehydration can cause a number of problems, and feeling dizzy is often an early sign that they need to drink more water.
- Overheating or heatstroke: Sadly, heat-related deaths in older adults are on the rise, with older adults at higher risk because their bodies are less able to regulate their temperature as they age. People with other medical conditions, such as asthma or heart disease, may be at higher risk during a heatwave. Dizziness is often an early sign that someone is overheating and needs to be cooled down quickly and rehydrated so they don’t get more sick.
- Spine or neck problems: Some degenerative conditions of the spine and neck are common in older adults, with conditions like osteoarthritis developing due to natural wear and tear over time. Along with symptoms like back pain, older adults who start experiencing spine or neck problems may also experience dizziness.
- Anxiety: Anxiety and panic attacks can often lead to dizziness because the body’s response to stress can make it feel much harder to breathe.
- Heart problems: Some heart conditions can cause dizziness if the blood doesn’t deliver enough oxygen to the body.
- Nerve problems: Some nerve conditions can cause dizziness because the signals the brain sends to the body are disrupted. Effective diagnosis and treatment of the underlying condition will usually resolve any dizziness it causes.
- Hearing or vision problems: Many people begin to experience changes in their vision or hearing as they get older, and this can sometimes lead to dizziness as the body tries to adjust. Any suspected eye health problems or hearing loss should be checked by a health professional.
- Common medications that cause dizziness in older adults: Because each person is unique, there is always the possibility that people will react differently to the same medication. This means that side effects such as dizziness are not always predictable from specific medications.
However, some medications may have a higher risk of causing dizziness than others. These may include:
- Certain medications that help lower blood pressure
- Certain sedatives or pain relievers
- Certain antidepressants
- Certain anticonvulsants.
Although many people who experience dizziness after starting a new medication find that the symptom disappears after a few weeks, it is important to see your GP if dizziness persists, becomes more severe or significantly affects your daily life.
How is dizziness treated in older people naturally?
- Treatment for dizziness will largely depend on the cause of the problem.
- Some tests may be needed to see if there is an undiagnosed medical condition causing the dizziness, or some of your current medications may need to be changed if this seems to be the root cause of the problem.
