Dizziness can vary from person to person. Typically, dizziness is more severe in seniors than in other age groups. Fainting, nausea, and loss of balance are the most common symptoms of dizziness.
Here are other words to describe dizziness:
- Feeling dizzy
- Losing your balance, especially after a sudden movement
- Feeling lightheaded
- Feeling like everything around you is spinning
Several factors can cause dizziness in people entering their prime. Changes in balance and muscles occur as we age, while dizziness also becomes more common over time. These factors can lead to frequent dizziness that makes it difficult for seniors to perform many daily routines or even leave the house!
What are the risks of dizziness seniors?
- Falls: Chronic dizziness can put you at higher risk of falling.
- Impact on quality of life: Dizziness can disrupt your daily activities. Cooking, working, or moving around may become more difficult if you feel your head spinning.
- Anxiety or depression: Older adults with persistent dizziness may think they are about to fall, which can lead to anxiety or depression. It is best to talk to your doctor to see what the best course of action is to relieve dizziness.
How to relieve dizziness symptoms?
The first and most important step is to rule out any serious causes of dizziness. Your doctor can determine the exact cause of your dizziness, and your treatment options will depend in part on the cause. But regardless of the cause, there are treatments that can help relieve symptoms until the dizziness passes. Dizziness as a symptom can range from mild to severe and debilitating.
Treatments include:
- Avoiding rapid movements or changes in position
- Returning to activity gradually
- Using a walking device to help prevent falls
- Medications, such as meclizine (Antivert) or dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)
- Physical therapy can really help people with persistent or recurring symptoms.
In severe cases, you should go to the emergency room immediately if you have a new episode of dizziness and have the following symptoms:
- Returning headache
- Difficulty seeing or changing vision
- Difficulty speaking
- Confusion
- Any numbness or weakness in the face, arms, or legs
- New neck or chest pain
- Recent head injury
- You have a new episode of dizziness and are taking blood thinners.
