According to the Mayo Clinic, dizziness is one of the top reasons people go to the doctor. The word “dizzy” is used to describe a variety of feelings. Some people use it to talk about feeling lightheaded. Others say dizzy when they mean woozy or are experiencing vertigo. Regardless, dizziness can be a serious problem for older adults because it can increase the chances of them falling and getting injured.
Sometimes knowing the cause of the dizziness can lead to treatment. Below are some possible causes for your parent’s dizziness.
Inner Ear Problems
The inner ear contains sensors that help the body to understand its position. They help with feeling gravity and back and forth movements. When there are problems with the inner ear, it can cause vertigo. Vertigo is the feeling that the room is moving around you while you are standing still.
There are several inner ear conditions that can cause vertigo, such as:
- BPPV: BPPV stands for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. It causes short bouts of vertigo, usually when the head is moved quickly, such as when a person lies down or sits up.
- Infection: An infection in the vestibular nerve can cause severe vertigo that does not go away.
- Meniere’s Disease: People with Meniere’s disease can have sudden episodes of vertigo that last for a few hours. They may also feel like their ears are plugged, have occasional hearing loss, and experience ringing in their ears.
Circulation Problems
When blood doesn’t circulate properly around the body, it can cause lightheadedness. If blood pressure becomes too low, it can make a person feel faint or lightheaded. This can happen when your parent stands or sits up too quickly. Medical conditions that affect circulation, such as heart problems, can also cause dizziness.
Other Problems
There are several other problems that can cause dizziness, including:
- Side effects of some medications.
- Low blood sugar.
- Lack of iron.
- Neurological conditions, like Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis.
- Anxiety.
- Dehydration.
- Carbon monoxide poisoning.
If your aging parent is experiencing dizziness, elderly care providers can watch over them for the day to make certain they are safe and as comfortable as possible. An elderly care provider can help them walk from place to place without falling. Elderly care aides can also allow the senior to sit still while they take care of things around the house, such as preparing meals and doing some light cleaning.
Sources:
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dizziness/symptoms-causes/syc-20371787
- https://www.fyzical.com/blog/Causes-of-Dizziness-in-Older-Adults
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/6422-dizziness/possible-causes
If you or an aging loved one are in need of Elderly Care Services in Stonybrook NY or the surrounding areas, contact the caring professionals at Star Multi Care Services today at (631)956-8835. We are the Right Choice for Home Health Care Services!
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