When and why to be vigilant?

Dizziness is common in people over the age of 60. You have to distinguish real dizziness from a strange feeling or discomfort, Dr. Caprice says, doctor of the elderly. Dizziness can be caused by a variety of reasons, and if it persists you should see a doctor.

Types of dizziness

• Vertigo: When we feel like everything is spinning around us or that we are spinning ourselves.
• Dizziness: When you feel unbalanced and unsteady, when you feel a spinning sensation.
• Discomfort: When you feel weak and need to sit or lie down because of discomfort.

Equilibrium: How does it work?

Balance is the result of working with three systems: the inner ear, sight, and touch. The brain uses these systems to help us stay balanced. For example, if you start to fall, your brain will tell you to move your legs to catch yourself. If something goes wrong with one of these systems, your brain responds quickly to try to correct the problem.

Dizziness: More dangerous for the elderly

Dizziness should be closely monitored in the elderly. Dr. According to Caprice, they can indicate a risk of falling, which can lead to fractures, such as a fractured femoral neck. In addition to this fear, dizziness can make social interactions difficult. Fear of falling can make people more isolated and reluctant to leave home. This can limit their movement and reduce their quality of life.

It should also be remembered that older people may have other illnesses that cause balance problems, such as orthostatic hypotension, neuropathy, or orthopedic problems. This can complicate the diagnosis. Dr. Caprice emphasizes the importance of considering these diseases when searching for causes of dizziness.

What are the different types of dizziness?

There are two types of vertigo: vertigo that originates in the inner ear (peripheral), and that which originates in the brain (central). Peripheral vertigo is more common and less severe. We need to talk to the patient and examine him to find out where the dizziness is coming from.

• Peripheral dizziness

There are three main reasons. The most common is benign paroxysmal vertigo, which is a problem with a part of the inner ear called the vestibule. Then there is Meniere’s disease, which can affect hearing and viral infections of the vestibule (neuronitis). Older adults may also have vestibular insufficiency (presbyvestibule), which occurs when the vestibule is not used enough and does not know how to react when it is used too quickly. You can recover with rehabilitation.

Central vertigo is more serious and may indicate brain disease. This could be a stroke, seizure or multiple sclerosis. These situations require a visit to the emergency room.

Finally, certain medications (such as blood pressure, mood medications, antidepressants, etc.) can also cause dizziness.

How to detect them and when to worry?

When you go to the doctor, he will ask you many questions. He will want to know how long your dizziness lasts and how it manifests itself. They will also want to know if you have any other symptoms. For example, if you have trouble hearing or ringing in your ears, it could mean you have a condition called Meniere’s disease. If you experience nausea, vomiting, and sweating, it may be due to a type of vertigo called vestibular vertigo.

A doctor will be particularly concerned if you have headaches or trouble using your hands, standing or speaking. These symptoms may be a sign of a more serious problem, such as a stroke. If the doctor thinks this is the case, he or she will send you to the emergency room or recommend that you see a specialist such as a neurologist or ENT specialist.

To treat vertigo, a doctor may recommend non-drug treatments such as physiotherapy. He or she may also recommend that you see an ENT or physical therapist who can perform specific exercises to help improve your symptoms. These movements may not feel good, but they can actually help you feel better.