Bouts of Dizziness Is a Common Problem in the Older Population- Here’s why?

Dizziness is one of the more common reasons older adults visit their doctors. Dizziness and imbalance is an extremely common problem in the baby boomer generation. A study found an overall prevalence of balance problems at age 70 with balance symptoms being more common among women than in men. While bouts of dizziness are considered common for seniors, that does not mean it can be shrugged off as a natural part of aging. Dizziness- a term used to describe a range of sensations, such as feeling faint, weak or unsteady- can often be treated with the right care. The two main sources of dizziness in older people are the ear and the brain. The cause of dizziness can be divided into five main categories: 1) otologic; 2) central; 3) medical; 4) psychogenic; and 5) unlocalized, with otologic dizziness being the most common type in the elderly, which can be attributed to an increased tendency for older adults to develop benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Additionally, gradual deterioration of inner ear function with age causes as many of 5 percent of unsteady seniors to have bilateral vestibular weakness (symptoms typically include imbalance and visual disturbance).

Though dizziness is a common complaint among elderly, it does not need to be a fact of life. Seek medical attention if you are experiencing dizziness, which becomes even more important if you experience new, severe dizziness or vertigo along with chest pain, difficulty breathing, sudden and severe headache, rapid or irregular heartbeat, confusion or slurred speech, seizures, fainting, double vision, a sudden change in hearing, and facial numbness or weakness. Your healthcare provider can help determine what is causing the dizziness and figure out the best treatment.

Consider an assisted living facility if your senior loved suffers from memory problems or is facing mobility issues. The main objective of Senior Sanctuary of Anthem in Phoenix is to eliminate your worry by providing constant assisted living care and ensuring the security of your senior loved one every hour of the day.

Here are some common things that can cause dizziness:

Vertigo- As mentioned earlier, BPPV is the most common kind of dizziness for seniors, which occurs due to crystals in the inner ear getting dislodged. Vertigo can be quite frustrating, and if left untreated, it can also be deadly (can lead to falls, which can cause broken bones and even death). Treatment focuses on helping the crystals move back into place with some simple maneuvers.

Medications- Some medications, such as hypertension medication can be blamed for dizziness, especially among elderly patients. In addition to that, medications like salicylates and some cancer drugs can cause permanent damage to the inner ear, affecting an individual’s hearing and balance. When it comes to taking medications for an illness or condition, it should be in consultation with your doctor.

Stroke- Although strokes aren’t the most common reasons for dizziness, but are one of the most serious. Apart from dizziness, individuals having a stroke often have other symptoms like confusion, numbness, or slurred speech. It’s crucial to rule stroke out when sudden dizziness occurs, which highlights the importance of seeking medical attention the first time someone experiences dizziness since time is of essence when treating a stroke.

Senior Sanctuary of Anthem in AZ is an award-winning assisted living Anthem facility, and you can always count on our caregivers to be there 24/7 to provide moral support, company and friendly assistance to your senior loved one.