Understanding the Spin: Causes of Dizziness in the Elderly

Understanding the spin: causes of dizziness in the elderly can be many things.

So, what could cause the off balance issues in the elderly? What might be the cause of dizziness and nausea in the elderly?

Therey could be many reasons, I’ll narrow it down to the most common later in this post and how to get rid of dizziness.

I’ve been getting dizzy spells, but I believe mine is due to medication. Plus the fact that I have Parkinson’s. I could have frequent falls in the future.

Luckily, that hasn’t started yet. So, why do people get dizzy for “no apparent reason?” There are subtle factors that cause this which I will discuss..

Dehydration and Dizziness in Elderly

Dehydration can cause dizziness in the elderly, especially if it’s prolonged:

Symptoms

Other symptoms of dehydration in the elderly include:

Firstly, Headaches
Fatigue
Dry mouth or thirst
Sweating less
Nausea
Additionally, Cracked lips
Sunken eyes
Confusion
Mood swings
Lastly, Disorientation

Complications

Dehydration can lead to complications like low blood pressure, rapid breathing and heart rate, and weakness. It can also increase the risk of falls.

Treatment

To treat dehydration, you can try drinking beverages with electrolytes, like sports drinks or Pedialyte.

If dehydration is severe, you may need to be hospitalized to receive intravenous fluids and electrolytes.

Causes of Vertigo in Elderly

Understanding the spin: causes of dizziness in the elderly may be vertigo.

There are many possible causes of vertigo in the elderly, including:

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV):The most common cause of vertigo in the elderly, BPPV occurs when otoconia become dislodged and move into the curved canals.
Medications: Some medications can cause dizziness as a side effect, including ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, calcium-channel blockers, gentamicin, furosemide, and quinine.
Ear diseases: At length, these include Meniere’s disease (I’ll go more in depth), labyrinthitis, and inner ear infections.
Neurological disorders: These include Parkinson’s disease, temporary and permanent ischemic stroke, and some migraine conditions.
Neck problems: These include declining disc disease, narrowing of the jugular vein, or plaque buildup in the neck arteries.
Psychiatric disorders: Correspondingly, these include depression, anxiety, panic, or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Eye diseases: These include cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.
Low iron levels: Also known as anemia, low iron levels can cause dizziness due to low platelets.
Low blood sugar: If you have diabetes that is being managed by insulin, dizziness can occur when your blood sugar drops suddenly.
Dehydration: Seniors have a higher chance of becoming dehydrated than younger people, which can cause dizziness (more in depth later).

Meniere’s Disease

Ménière’s disease is a chronic inner ear disorder that causes vertigo, tinnitus, hearing loss, and feeling of fullness in the ear.

Vertigo: Severe dizziness that can make you feel like the room is spinning. Episodes can last from 20 minutes to 24 hours.
Tinnitus: Ringing in the ears
Hearing loss: Low- to medium-frequency sensorineural hearing loss
Fullness: A feeling of congestion in the ear

Ménière’s disease usually affects one ear at first, but both ears can become involved over time. Symptoms can come and go, and may happen less frequently over time.

There’s no known cure for Ménière’s disease, but lifestyle changes and treatments can help relieve symptoms. A medical professional may suggest:

Reducing fluid in your body with water pills (diuretics)
Following a low-salt diet
Taking medication for motion sickness or nausea

Furthermore, the risk factors for Ménière’s disease include: Being between the ages of 40 and 60, Being female, Having a family history of the condition, and Having an autoimmune disorder.

Seek immediate medical care if you experience vertigo along with: Drooping face, Inability to lift both arms, Difficulty speaking, and Sudden vision problems in one eye.

Cardiovascular Issues

Understanding the spin: causes of dizziness in the elderly could be cardiovascular. Cardiovascular issues that can cause dizziness in the elderly include:

Orthostatic Hypotension

A sudden drop in blood pressure that occurs when standing up or sitting too quickly.

This can cause brief dizziness because there’s less blood flowing to the brain.

Baroreceptors, which monitor blood pressure, become less sensitive with age, which may contribute to this.

Heart Conditions

By and large, heart conditions that can cause dizziness include:

Heart attack
Heart arrhythmia
Cardiomyopathy
Aortic stenosis
Heart failure

Reduced Blood Volume

Emphatically, a decrease in blood volume can cause inadequate blood flow to the brain or inner ear.

Hypovolemia is a condition that occurs when your body loses fluid, like blood or water.

Fluids are essential to keep your organs functioning. Symptoms of hypovolemia include weakness, fatigue and dizziness.

Neurological Conditions

Understanding the spin: causes of dizziness in the elderly could be neurological. Equally important, neurological conditions can cause dizziness in the elderly:

Parkinson’s Disease

A neurological disorder that can cause dizziness and progressive balance loss. I noticed myself becoming less stable on my feet especailly going down stairs.

Multiple Sclerosis

By and large, a neurological disorder that can cause dizziness and progressive balance loss.

Vertigo, a less common symptom of MS that feels like you or your surroundings are spinning. Vertigo can make you feel unsteady, nauseous, and more likely to fall.

Labyrinthitis

An inner ear infection that can cause dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus, nausea, and vomiting.

Labyrinthitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection, but it can also be caused by allergies, certain medicines, or other conditions.

Cervical Spondylosis

Nonetheless, a condition that can cause dizziness or vertigo, and can also lead to tingling and numbness in the arms and hands

Medications

Understanding the spin: causes of dizziness in the elderly could be medications.

Many medications can cause dizziness in the elderly, including:

Firstly, Anti-seizure drugs: Can cause dizziness as a side effect
Antidepressants: Can cause dizziness as a side effect
Sedatives and tranquilizers: Can cause dizziness as a side effect
Blood pressure medications: Can cause dizziness if blood pressure gets too low
Additionally, Antibiotics: Aminoglycoside antibiotics like gentamicin, streptomycin, tobramycin, and viomycin can cause dizziness and imbalance
Benzodiazepines: Anti-anxiety medications like alprazolam (Xanax) and lorazepam (Ativan) can cause dizziness and unsteadiness
Loop diuretics: Medicines like furosemide (Lasix) and bumetanide (Burinex) can cause dizziness
Platinum-based chemotherapy drugs: Can cause permanent damage to the inner ear and vision, which can increase the risk of falls
In addition, ACE inhibitors: Can cause dizziness
Beta-blockers: Can cause dizziness
Calcium-channel blockers: Can cause dizziness
Pain relievers: Hydrocodone, ibuprofen, and naproxen can cause dizziness
Diuretics: Can cause dizziness
Lastly, First-generation antihistamines: Benadryl and other older antihistamines can be difficult for the body to get rid of

Older adults are especially at risk for medication-related dizziness because drugs are metabolized differently with age.

If you take multiple medications, you should consult your doctor to check for drug interactions.

Other Causes of Dizziness

Understanding the spin: causes of dizziness in the elderly could be attributed to other things.

Some additional causes of dizziness in older people can include:

Low Iron (anemia)

Nevertheless, low iron in your blood reduces the amount of oxygen in your body. Along with dizziness, people experience weakness, fatigue, and pale skin.

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

Overall, symptoms of low blood sugar include dizziness, confusion, sweating, and anxiety. Low blood sugar is most common in people with diabetes.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Exposure to carbon monoxide is usually also associated with nausea, weakness, chest pain, and confusion.

Overheating

A loss of fluids can cause dizziness, especially if you’re taking certain medications.

Older people are more likely to experience heat-related illnesses because their bodies have a harder time regulating temperature.

How to Treat Dizziness in the Elderly?

What Drink Stops Dizziness?

Subsequently, ginger, tea, water, and lemon juice drinks may help with dizziness:

Ginger Tea

A natural remedy that can help with dizziness, nausea, and vertigo.

You can make ginger tea by adding grated ginger root to hot water, and you can also add lemon, honey, or cinnamon.

Water

The simple and cheapest, drinking water can help with dizziness caused by dehydration.

Lemon Juice

Notwithstanding, lemon juice is high in vitamin C, which can help with energy and the immune system.

You can mix lemon juice with water, a pinch of black pepper, and a little salt, and drink it three times a day.

What Food is Good for Dizziness?

Foods that may help with dizziness include:

Leafy greens: Firstly, Spinach and kale are high in magnesium and vitamin B, which can help with dizziness.
Hydrating fruits: Watermelon and oranges can help you stay hydrated.
Potassium-rich foods: Bananas and avocados can help balance fluid levels.
Ginger: Can help with dizziness and nausea.
Omega-3 fatty acids: In addition, it is found in salmon and walnuts, these can support blood flow.
Whole grains: Brown rice and oats can help stabilize blood sugar levels.
Fatty fish, shellfish, liver, avocado, or egg yolk: These foods are high in vitamin D, which can help with dizziness.
Nuts: Additionally, rich in vitamins, nuts can improve blood circulation and reduce inner ear pressure.
Tomatoes: Rich in potassium, tomatoes can help flush out excess fluid from the body.
Eating yogurt
Mixing mustard, salt, pepper, and vinegar in equal parts with water, and drinking it several times a day
Lastly, Mixing apple cider vinegar with a little honey, and drinking it every day

What Vitamins Gets Rid of Dizziness?

Understanding the spin: causes of dizziness in the elderly could be treated with vitamins. A number of vitamins and minerals can help with dizziness, including:

Vitamin D: Firstly, it can help with circulation issues and reduce the recurrence of vertigo. A 2020 study found that taking vitamin D and calcium supplements twice a day can reduce the annual recurrence rate of vertigo by 24%.
Vitamin C: Can help reduce vertigo.
Vitamin E: Can help maintain blood vessel elasticity, which can help prevent circulation problems.
Magnesium: Can help treat central causes of dizziness, like vestibular migraine.
Vitamin B6: Lastly, it can help treat central causes of dizziness, like vestibular migraine.

Other supplements that may help with vertigo include: piracetam, and ginkgo.

If you’re taking vitamin D3 or K2 supplements, you should speak with your doctor or pharmacist because they can interact with certain medications.

What is the Best Over-The-Counter Medicine for Dizziness?

In any event, the best over-the-counter medicine for dizziness is typically meclizine, which is sold under brand names like Antivert or Dramamine Less Drowsy.

It’s an antihistamine that effectively treats dizziness and nausea associated with vertigo and motion sickness.

Hence, key points about meclizine:

Mechanism: Works by blocking signals to the brain that cause dizziness and nausea.
Common uses: Vertigo, motion sickness
Brand names: Antivert, Bonine

Sum It All Up

Understanding the spin: causes of dizziness in the elderly could be attributed to many things.

So, now you know some of the causes of the dizziness you’ve been feeling and some treatments on how to combat it.

I take vitamin B and vitamin D, so I’m good on that front. How about you, are you taking any vitamins or supplements along with the many other meds you might be on.

By the way, if you find any words where the two letters are switched around, that’s part of the Parkinson’s. I proof read the post before I publish them, but I don’t always catch the errors.

Anyway senior’s, I hope I gave you a lot of information to digest and help you overcome your dizziness. Peace and alway’s love. Until next time…

Articles About Causes of Dizziness in Elderly

-Medications and remedies for dizziness

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319026

-Dizziness

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dizziness

-BEST Supplements for Dizziness and Vertigo

Have a Good One,

Cindee Murphy
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