When someone says they’re dizzy, they may be talking about many different feelings, such as feeling woozy, unsteady, or weak. They might also mean that they are experiencing vertigo, which is a feeling of the room spinning around them while they sit still. Dizziness is dangerous to older adults because it can throw off their balance and make them more likely to fall. Dizziness can be caused by many different things. Treating the underlying cause can often resolve it.
Causes of Dizziness
There are lots of different things that can cause dizziness in seniors. The doctor will use specific information about the senior’s symptoms and possible triggers to determine what the problem is. Some possible causes of dizziness are:
- Meniere’s Disease: This condition is caused by too much liquid in the inner ear. People with Meniere’s disease have sudden episodes of vertigo that can continue for hours. They may also feel like their ears are plugged or have a ringing sensation. They might even have temporary hearing loss.
- Low Blood Pressure: When systolic blood pressure (the top number) drops suddenly, it can make your older family member lightheaded or dizzy. In seniors, this often happens when they stand up.
- Medication Side Effects: Some medicines can cause dizziness as a side effect, such as blood pressure medications.
- Anemia: Having a low iron level can cause dizziness, weakness, and fatigue.
There are several other causes of dizziness. To help the senior’s doctor figure out what is causing your loved one’s dizziness, pay attention to when it happens and any other symptoms they are experiencing.
Dealing with Dizziness at Home
Older adults who experience dizziness can take steps to keep themselves safer and manage the problem. Some tips for dealing with dizziness are:
- Avoid sudden movements, like standing up too fast.
- Use a cane or walker to prevent falls when walking.
- Take steps to make the home safer, such as removing loose rugs that may slip and putting non-slip mats on the bathroom floor and in the shower.
- Limit alcohol, caffeine, salt, and tobacco, which can make symptoms worse.
- Drink plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration.
- Sit or lie down during episodes of dizziness. Lying down in a dark room can help with vertigo.
Elderly care providers can assist seniors who suffer from dizziness. An elderly care provider can help to fall-proof the home by removing clutter and loose rugs. Elderly care providers can also hold the arm of the older adult when they stand up to make certain they are steady before they begin walking. Another way elderly care providers can help is by offering older adults beverages throughout the day or reminding them to sip from a water bottle throughout the day.
Sources
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dizziness/symptoms-causes/syc-20371787
https://universityhealthnews.com/daily/aging-independence/causes-of-dizziness-in-older-adults/
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dizziness/basics/lifestyle-home-remedies/con-20023004
If you or an aging loved one are considering elderly care in Centennial, CO, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY HomeCare Denver. Call today: (303) 756-9322.
