How to treat dizziness in the elderly? We cannot change the fact that aging comes with the risk of developing various diseases. For this reason, staying healthy and active is necessary to reduce or prevent these diseases. Even the elderly’s teeth are prone to issues because old folks might encounter difficulties in brushing. In this case, you can go to Broadforddental.com.au for more info. They can help you address your parent’s oral problems.
Dizziness in the elderly
How to treat dizziness in the elderly? We should know treatment options about it. In actuality, no one should take dizziness for granted, especially the elderly. Even though dizzy spells may come and go, they can also become frequent.
Aside from that, dizzy spells don’t always indicate a life-threatening condition. Moreover, a person might even forget about it. However, once it returns, it can become a nuisance, especially to older people.
Additionally, dizzy spells can cause several sensations. It includes the feeling of being unsteady, weak, or faint. Besides that, it can even create a false sense that you or the surroundings are spinning or moving unstably. In other words, vertigo.
In actuality, this health condition is the typical reason why adults are visiting their doctors. Dizziness causes instability that makes the elderly lose their balance. In effect, it can cause severe injuries from falls, leading to impairments and loss of mobility.
These falls can be dangerous as well. For this reason, a person who experiences this condition frequently should seek medical advice. Otherwise, they are risking themselves to more severe health or physical problems.
Causes of dizziness that you should be aware of
Several factors can lead to experiencing dizziness. Being familiar with these can help you know how to act appropriately. Some of these can occur due to underlying conditions as well.
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV): The false sense that dizziness causes can make a person feel like the surroundings or themselves are moving. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is typically often associated with nausea and vomiting. Common triggers for BPPV are sudden head movements, such as turning over or sit up. BBPV usually occurs when your inner ear’s calcium crystals move out of place. Fortunately, it is often harmless, and the treatment is easy.
- Meniere’s syndrome: It is a condition in the inner ear where there is a presence of too much fluid. Additionally, this condition is often associated with hearing loss, distorted hearing, ringing in the ear, and nausea and vomiting. It can even last from 20 minutes up to 24 hours. On the other hand, you can still have treatment for it, such as anti-nausea and anti-vertigo medications. You can also consider a few lifestyle changes.
- Ear infections: The ears are also prone to viral or bacterial infections. As a result, it can lead to irritation or inflammation in the inner ear. There will be an effect on how the inner ear sends messages to the brain. In short, there will be difficulties between the nerves in the inner ear and the brain.
Other causes of dizziness
The following are other conditions that can cause dizziness. It includes the heart and vascular system, brain-related conditions, and many more.
- Low blood pressure: It occurs when an individual’s blood pressure drops down below the normal range. Aside from dizziness, abnormally low blood pressure can also lead to fainting. In severe cases, it can be dangerous and life-threatening.
- Atrial fibrillation: It pertains to a person’s experience of irregular heartbeats, which usually starts in the atria. Dizziness is one of the symptoms wherein the person will feel lightheaded or can faint.
- Narrowed arteries (atherosclerosis): It happens when cholesterol, fatty cells, and inflammatory deposits build up on the heart’s arteries. In effect, there is clogging or blockage that affects the blood flow to the heart.
- Head injury: It can result from a severe blow in the head while playing, a gunshot, or an accident. Dizziness can be a sign of this condition.
- Migraine: Migraine episodes can occur from various triggers as well. It can also lead to dizziness. Migraine episodes can last from four hours to several days.
- Vision problems: A person’s eyes are one of the body parts greatly affected as they age. Several eye problems can occur, which causes dizziness.
How to treat dizziness in the elderly?
Now that we knew about the causes, we will move forward on treating dizziness in the elderly. The treatment option will depend on the condition’s severity. On the other hand, a person experiencing dizziness can feel better without getting any treatment.
- Medications: Usually, this option is not necessary. But some medicines can treat the underlying dizziness’ causes.
- Water pills
- Medicines to relieve nausea and vomiting
- Anti-anxiety medicines
- Preventive migraine medicine
- Therapy: These therapeutic approaches can relieve dizziness.
- Head position maneuver
- Balance therapy
- Psychotherapy
- Lifestyle changes: A person might need to adjust to their lifestyle habits, such as the following.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Avoid or limit caffeine or alcohol intake.
- Quit using tobacco products.
- Choose a healthy, balanced diet.
- Medical or surgical procedures: This option will be necessary for severe dizziness causes.
The dizziness may come out of hand. For this reason, applying treatment is better to prevent severe accidents or falls. If vertigo is the reason for your dizziness, please watch this short video that shows a few exercises that senior folks can do.
In need of a doctor’s help
Generally speaking, dizziness may or may not be life-threatening. However, it would be better not to neglect it since it can signify an underlying disease. The following points need medical attention already.
- Persistent or severe headaches.
- Frequent falling over or walk struggles.
- Frequent vomiting or nausea.
- Fainting or loss of consciousness.
- Breathing difficulties.
- Any head injury.
- Severe stiff neck.
- Seizures.
The elders are better with someone at home. Some of these conditions require immediate action. If the elders are alone at home, it will be difficult for them to respond by themselves. Moreover, some of these may weaken them as well.
Conclusion
Dizziness in older people can occur due to various factors. In actuality, there are options that we can do to manage it at home. However, if the elders experience it too often, the best thing for them is to seek medical attention.
This way, the doctor can determine the exact cause of dizziness. We all know that aging is a factor why older adults are susceptible to various diseases. For this reason, the whole family should be aware of their exact health condition.
In effect, the older adults can receive the appropriate treatment and prevent more severe scenarios. Aside from that, the doctor can recommend proper arrangements at home which will not be difficult for them to follow.
Overall, dizziness can either be temporary or life-threatening. In this case, would we still want the older adults’ life to be in danger before we take action? Now is the right time. Let’s help our family members in their old age to have this quality of life, if still possible.
Final thoughts
Treatment for dizziness is available, applicable at home or inside the medical facility. You only have to make an appointment with your doctor. Don’t let dizziness get in your way.