Even mild, transient dizziness can be a sign of illness or lifestyle imbalance. It can affect people in different ways, making you feel like you are spinning, dizzy, off-balance, lightheaded, or it can cause a feeling of floating or swaying. You may also experience nausea and vision problems, such as a decrease in your ability to focus.
What causes of dizziness in seniors?
Dizziness comes from a problem with the body’s balance mechanism. This primarily involves two parts of the body: the ear and the brain.
There is a special fluid-filled area inside the ear that measures your body’s position. Think of it as a level you would use to hang a picture. Information from that part of the ear is transmitted to the brain through nerves. The brain processes that information to keep you upright and balanced. And so problems at any of these steps can lead to dizziness.
Medical conditions that cause dizziness can range from mild to severe. But regardless of the cause, dizziness is often intense, uncomfortable, and debilitating. So the severity of the symptoms doesn’t always correlate with the severity of the cause.
Ear conditions that can lead to dizziness include:
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV): This is a condition in which small stones form in the fluid of the inner ear. This is the part that helps maintain balance. The stones interfere with the function of the inner ear.
- Meniere’s disease: This is a condition in which the amount of fluid in the inner ear gets too low. It’s not clear why this happens. It often causes ringing in the ears as well as dizziness.
- Inflammation: If the inner ear or nearby nerves become inflamed, this is called labyrinthitis. Inflammation interferes with signals to the brain. It can be caused by viruses like the common cold.
- Schwannoma: These are harmless tumors of the nerves in the ear. They are also called acoustic neuromas. They can interfere with signals from the inner ear to the brain.
How to reduce dizziness effective?
5 ways to reduce dizziness effective:
1. Take the weight off your legs
If you feel dizzy or lightheaded when standing, lie down (though not completely flat if the world is spinning) to promote blood flow to the brain. After a few minutes, you should feel less dizzy. Sit up slowly and sit for a few more minutes before standing. Do not drive, use hand tools or other machinery, or climb ladders when you feel dizzy.
2. Check your blood pressure
Orthostatic hypotension is a drop in blood pressure when you suddenly stand or sit up, and it increases as we age. It can be linked to heart problems, type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and cognitive decline (problems with attention, memory, and concentration), as well as an increased risk of falls and reduced quality of life. It can also be a result of taking many medications.
3. Drink plenty of water
Changes in body composition, decreased kidney function, thirst, illness, and taking many medications can all increase your risk of dehydration (a common cause of dizziness). Aim for about five eight-ounce glasses of water a day. Tap water is fine, but if you don’t like the taste, keep a water filter in the refrigerator and refill your cup or bottle regularly. Add a slice of orange, lemon, lime, or ginger, or a sprig of mint or lemongrass to freshen things up.
4. Get a good night’s sleep
Getting a good night’s sleep can become more difficult as we age. And poor sleep quality can be a factor in dizziness. Focus on creating the right conditions for sleep to help you get more restorative sleep. Steps include avoiding alcohol in the evening, taking time to relax before bed, making sure your bedroom is quiet, calm, and not too hot or too cold, and banning the use of cell phones, tablets, or laptops.
5. Check Your Medications
Many prescription and/or over-the-counter medications can cause dizziness as a side effect. Specific culprits include blood pressure medications, diuretics, strong pain relievers, some antibiotics, and even some sleeping pills. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a medication review.
