If you're a senior suffering from dizziness, know that you are not alone: about 25 percent of people over the age of 72 report periods of imbalance or unsteadiness. Several factors can contribute to the increased risk of dizziness as we get older, from muscle and balance changes to standard vertigo.
Most people experience a gradual decline in inner ear function as they age. Considering the inner ear is where the vestibular system is located, the aging process itself is a cause of vertigo. Unfortunately, this gradual decline in vestibular function also coincides with aging and weakening muscles.
However, certain head movements cause them to be swept along the fluid-filled canal, which sends confusing messages to your brain, causing vertigo. BPPV usually affects older people, with most cases occurring in people older than 50 years of age.
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most frequent form of peripheral vestibular dysfunction, followed by Meniere's disease and vestibular neuritis [9,15]. BPPV is the most common cause of vertigo and dizziness from childhood through to old age, peaking at about 60 years [21].
Sleep with your head slightly raised on two or more pillows. Get out of bed slowly and sit on the edge of the bed for a while before standing up. Try to relax – anxiety and stress can make vertigo worse and can trigger vertigo episodes. Avoid bending down to pick up items.
Epley Maneuver
Place a pillow under you so when you lie down, it rests between your shoulders rather than under your head. Quickly lie down on your back, with your head on the bed (still at the 45-degree angle). The pillow should be under your shoulders. Wait 30 seconds (for any vertigo to stop).
The Semont Maneuver
Quickly lie down on your left side, staying still for 30 seconds. Then, quickly move to lie down on the opposite end of the bed without changing the direction of your head. Keep your head at a 45-degree angle and lie for 30 seconds. Return slowly to sitting and wait a few minutes.
Because of this, episodes of vertigo are sometimes the first sign that you may be getting dementia. This is especially true when talking about vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease because they affect the balance center of your brain.
Central Vertigo.
Caused by a problem in the brain, central vertigo can be linked to serious conditions such as stroke, brain tumor and multiple sclerosis. Symptoms develop gradually and are typically mild but constant and may include gait instability and loss of coordination.
As a general rule of thumb, you should seek medical attention if you experience vertigo that is severe, recurrent or long-lasting.
Vertigo can be temporary or permanent, depending on the patient. Those who have suffered a head or neck injury might experience chronic or long-term vertigo. Treatment may be a combination of medications and physical therapy. Although very rare, your ENT specialist may choose to recommend surgery.
Although it is not well understood as of yet, emotional stress connected to adverse life events can be a trigger for vertigo. High levels of anxiety, stress and depression could trigger the symptoms of an underlying issue such as an inner ear condition, but they can also cause vertigo by themselves.
If you're dehydrated, you may start to feel dizzy. This feeling can cause you to also experience lightheadedness, wooziness, fairness and unsteadiness. You may also experience a very specific form of dizziness called vertigo. If you're dealing with vertigo, you may feel like everything around you is spinning.
Central Vertigo – This is Serious!
The first and foremost danger of leaving your dizziness untreated is that you could be experiencing dysfunction in your central nervous system. In other words, something could be wrong with your heart or brain – specifically your brainstem and/or cerebellum.
Vertigo could also affect your ability to drive. You should avoid driving if you've recently had episodes of vertigo and there's a chance you may have another episode while you're driving.
Vertigo probably isn't a blood pressure issue
This feeling is typically associated with vertigo, which can be caused by a variety of conditions, including ear infections, head injuries and more — but not high blood pressure. “Vertigo symptoms are very unlikely to be caused by any type of blood pressure issues,” Dr.
Dizziness and vertigo are commonly reported symptoms in people with Parkinson's disease (PD). Dizziness is a term used to describe a range of sensations, such as feeling faint, woozy, weak or unsteady. Dizziness that creates the false sense that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving is called vertigo.
Vertigo causes dizziness and makes you feel like you're spinning when you're not. It most commonly occurs when there's an issue with your inner ear. But you can also develop it if you have a condition affecting your brain, like a tumor or stroke.
Most people with vertigo get better without treatment. Treatment will depend on the cause. A GP might prescribe antibiotics if it's caused by an infection. You could also be given exercises to do to try to correct your balance.