What Is Vertigo in Elderly and How Is It Treated?
Vertigo causes a disabling spinning sensation that significantly affects seniors. Understanding vertigo helps those experiencing this distressing symptom seek appropriate treatment.
Understanding Vertigo
Vertigo is a false sensation of movement, usually spinning. It feels like you or your surroundings are moving when neither actually is. Vertigo is a symptom with various underlying causes.
Vertigo differs from lightheadedness and imbalance, though people may use these terms interchangeably. True vertigo involves a spinning or rotational sensation. Other types of dizziness feel different.
Vertigo becomes more common with age. About 30 percent of people over 60 experience vertigo. It significantly increases fall risk and affects quality of life.
Common Causes
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is the most common cause. Tiny calcium crystals in the inner ear become dislodged and enter the semicircular canals. Certain head movements trigger brief but intense spinning.
BPPV causes vertigo lasting less than a minute, triggered by specific movements like turning over in bed, looking up, or bending over. Nausea often accompanies the spinning.
Meniere’s disease causes vertigo episodes lasting minutes to hours, accompanied by hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear fullness. It affects the inner ear’s fluid balance.
Vestibular neuritis and labyrinthitis involve inflammation of inner ear structures, causing sudden severe vertigo lasting days. Viral infections often trigger these conditions.
Medication side effects cause dizziness in many seniors. Blood pressure medications, sedatives, and many other drugs can cause vertigo or other dizziness.
Central causes involving the brain are less common but more serious. Stroke, tumors, and multiple sclerosis can cause vertigo. Sudden vertigo with other neurological symptoms requires emergency evaluation.
Diagnosis
Medical evaluation determines the cause. History and physical examination, including specific maneuvers testing the vestibular system, often identify the problem.
Hearing tests may be performed since hearing and balance organs are connected. Imaging studies rule out central causes when indicated.
Treatment
BPPV treatment involves repositioning maneuvers. The Epley maneuver and similar procedures move displaced crystals out of the semicircular canals. These simple treatments are highly effective.
Vestibular rehabilitation exercises help many vertigo causes. Physical therapy teaches exercises that help the brain compensate for vestibular problems. Balance improves with practice.
Medications may help during acute episodes. Meclizine and similar drugs reduce vertigo symptoms but are not long-term solutions. They may increase fall risk in seniors.
Getting Vertigo Treatment
All Seniors Foundation provides physical therapy for vertigo. Vestibular rehabilitation can restore balance and reduce symptoms. Contact us for vertigo evaluation and treatment.
