Causes of Dizziness in the Elderly

Dizziness is one of the most common complaints among older people. It describes a range of sensations that make a person feel lightheaded, struggle with balance, and develop a sense of spinning. Although dizziness rarely poses a serious risk, it may be dangerous for adults because it opens them up to the risk of falling, which may lead to several other complications. Sometimes, dizziness may signify the presence of some conditions that require medical attention. 

The deterioration that comes with age may cause senior citizens to become dizzy frequently and lose balance. There are several other causes of dizziness in older people, ranging from organ dysfunction to the side effects of some medications. 

Frequent dizziness episodes threaten the life and overall well-being of older people, and that’s why this article will explore the causes of dizziness, its symptoms, and the possible treatment methods at FYZICAL South Scottsdale.

Common Causes of Dizziness in The Elderly

Older adults can experience a brief spell of dizziness for several reasons. The cause of dizziness determines if there is an underlying condition or if there is nothing to worry about. Possible causes of dizziness in the elderly include: 

Inner Ear Issues

The ear is an organ that aids the sense of hearing. It works with the eyes and other sensory nerves to regulate balance. The inner ear has two main parts - the cochlea for hearing and the semicircular canals for balance. Different infections, diseases, and disorders may affect the inner ear. These conditions can damage the inner ear, leading to frequent dizziness spells and other balance issues. Inner ear issues that may cause frequent dizziness in older adults include:

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo(BPPV)

BBPV is one of the most common inner ear disorders. It causes vertigo - a sudden sensation that makes you feel as if you or your surroundings are spinning. The inner ear is home to microscopic calcium crystals known as Otoconia. These crystals send signals to the brain to ensure that balance is maintained while you are moving. However, traumatic blows or sudden head jerking can dislodge these microscopic crystals and mix them up with the fluids of the semicircular canals. This singular event can throw off the body’s sense of balance and lead to vertigo, which causes dizziness. Senior citizens suffering from benign paroxysmal positional vertigo may experience frequent dizziness, leading to falls and accidents. 

Labyrinthitis

The labyrinth is a delicate part of the inner ear involved in your hearing and balance. However, the labyrinth may become infected, leading to inflammation. The inflammation of the labyrinth leads to hearing and balance problems. Other symptoms include dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus, nausea, vomiting, etc. Older people who develop frequent dizziness spells may be suffering from labyrinthitis.

Meniere’s Disease

This condition is a rare inner ear disorder that causes severe dizziness spells. It usually affects only one ear and is most common in older people ages 40 to 60. The condition may also cause tinnitus and hearing loss. While the exact cause of Meniere’s disease is unknown, researchers attribute the condition to a combination of several factors. One of the factors that cause Meniere’s disease is the buildup of extra fluid (endolymph) in the labyrinth - a compartment of the inner ear. This excess buildup can occur due to allergies, head injury, infections, immune system malfunction, etc. The buildup of excess endolymph in the inner ear’s labyrinth disrupts the transmission of balance and hearing signals, leading to dizziness in older adults.

Vestibular Neuritis

The vestibular nerve is a part of the inner ear that sends balance information from the inner ear to the brain. This nerve is susceptible to inflammation, swelling, and other forms of damage. Damage to the vestibular nerve disrupts the signals exchanged between the inner ear and the brain, leading to dizziness, vertigo, and other balance-related conditions. 

Elderly people living with any of these medical conditions may suffer from frequent episodes of dizziness.

Cardiovascular Issues

Sometimes, dizziness in older people may be due to cardiovascular conditions that they may be suffering from. Some of these cardiovascular issues include:

Arrhythmia

This condition is an irregular heartbeat caused by a heart’s faulty electrical system. Arrhythmia causes the heart to beat either too fast or too slow. An irregular heartbeat in adults can lead to dizziness, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, etc.

Hypotension

This condition signifies a low blood pressure count. An older person’s heart may not pump blood as efficiently as it did several years ago. Therefore, activities like standing up too quickly may cause a quick and drastic drop in blood pressure, causing a brief episode of dizziness in senior citizens. 

Poor Blood Circulation

As we age, our heart’s ability to pump blood reduces by about 5 to 10 percent every decade. The blood serves as a transport for oxygen and nutrients around the body. When the body pumps less blood, the amount of oxygen that travels through the body also decreases. Less oxygen in the brain and inner ear can lead to dizziness in adults. 

Other cardiovascular issues that can cause frequent dizziness spells in the elderly include heart attack, cardiomyopathy, aortic valve stenosis, transient ischemic attack, etc. Any adult suffering from any of the above cardiovascular conditions may experience frequent dizziness episodes.

Neurological Conditions

Neurological disorders affect the brain. Therefore, they can affect your sense of balance, leading to frequent dizziness episodes. Examples of some neurological conditions that cause dizziness in adults include:

Stroke

Strokes occur due to the impaired blood supply to the brain. The blood transports nutrients and oxygen to the brain. Therefore, a stroke hinders the brain’s oxygen and nutrients, causing the brain cells to die one after another. Dizziness is one of the most common symptoms of a stroke. Older people who have suffered or are suffering from a stroke can undergo frequent dizziness spells.

Parkison’s Disease

This condition is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the nervous system and some organs under it. Parkinson’s disease hinders the release of norepinephrine, causing a reduction in blood pressure. Dizziness and vertigo are some of the most common symptoms experienced by older adults suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is another neurological condition that may cause dizziness in older adults. People suffering from this condition experience severe nerve damage that may disrupt the communication between the brain and the rest of the body. This nerve damage removes your body’s ability to maintain balance, causing dizziness.

Medication Side-effects

Old people may need medication daily due to deterioration in different organs and overall functional abilities. Some of these medications can have adverse effects after ingestion. Medicine that may cause dizziness in seniors includes blood pressure medications, anti-seizure drugs, tranquillizers, antidepressants, sedatives, etc.

Other factors that cause dizziness in elderly people include:

• Dehydration: This condition refers to a dangerous loss of bodily fluids through inadequate water intake, illness, and production of waste products. Dehydration can affect blood volume and brain function, leading to dizziness spells in adults.
• Low blood sugar: Hypoglycemia, popularly known as low blood sugar, can cause dizziness spells in adults. Lightheadedness and dizziness are the most common warning signs of hypoglycemia.
• Low iron levels: Anemia hinders the body from producing red blood cells. The deficiency of platelets can cause an adult to feel dizzy.
• Vision problems: Senior citizens with eye conditions such as glaucoma have trouble seeing clearly. These conditions also contribute to dizziness due to their ability to impair visual input.

These factors and many more may cause an elderly person to experience frequent dizziness episodes.

Treatment Methods for Dizziness in the Elderly

The treatment method employed for treating dizziness in the elderly will depend on the underlying causes of dizziness. The following are the most common treatment methods available for dizziness in Scottsdale:

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is a healthcare profession that promotes, maintains, and restores overall health through some rehabilitation methods. The most common type of physical therapy method used to treat and manage dizziness in the elderly is balance therapy in Scottsdale, AZ.

Balance Therapy

Balance therapy in South Scottsdale consists of several physical therapy activities that aim to stabilize the body and reduce the risks of falling in the elderly. Balance therapy attempts to correct vestibular disorders and other conditions that cause dizziness and make older people lose balance. Balance therapy programs that help to improve balance and stability include:

• Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT)
• Gaze stability exercise
• Habituation exercise
• Balance retraining
• Fitness and wellness programs
• Functional training, etc.

Other treatment methods for dizziness in the elderly include medications, surgery, lifestyle modifications, etc.

Conclusion

Dizziness is a sensation that can occur due to several reasons. While it is sometimes nothing to worry about, constant dizziness episodes in the elderly are dangerous. There are several causes of dizziness in the elderly, ranging from medical conditions to lifestyle choices. If you are a senior citizen or have an older person who suffers from frequent dizziness, you should consider balance therapy at FYZICAL South Scottsdale.