Last week I found myself gently encouraging my 79-year-old father to avoid climbing any ladders to hang Christmas decorations. I happen to know he’s had a few dizzy spells lately.
Turns out balance issues are not uncommon for people 65 and over, and are the leading cause of falls in seniors. Strangely enough, I learned all about this when my daughter was just 16 years old.
Due to an infection, our daughter suffered with bouts of dizziness, nausea and headaches sending doctors into overdrive to rule out everything from a brain tumor to a heart defect. Thankfully, none of those things were the cause, but it took us six months to determine she was suffering from Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV).
Dizziness and vertigo are both related to how the inner ear works with the brain to maintain our balance. You may be sitting perfectly still but feel like you are moving, or you may feel like the world is spinning around you. Vertigo may also cause nausea, vomiting, sweating and abnormal eye movements. Or you just might find your balance isn’t what it used to be.
BPPV results from otoconia, tiny crystals of calcium carbonate in the inner ear, becoming displaced due to trauma, infection or even simple aging. It is the most common type of vertigo, and often easily treatable.
In our daughter’s case we found a physical therapist to perform a Canalith Repositioning Maneuver. This was the most non-invasive, easiest thing I’ve ever witnessed. With a few gentle head and neck maneuvers, our daughter’s dizziness was completely resolved.
According to Melissa Bloom, a board certified specialist in neurologic physical therapy with nearly 10 years experience treating those with vestibular disorders, “85 percent of patients diagnosed with BPPV will be significantly better after just one treatment.”
Bloom noted, “Almost everyone with vertigo symptoms can benefit from physical therapy treatment. The earlier one is treated, the less likely they are to experience secondary medical conditions related to falling or immobility.” Specific treatment will depend on the cause of the vertigo.
According to 2012 census data, Gwinnett County has over 65,000 people 65 and older. Georgia counts 1.14 million residents falling into the same age bracket. Regardless of the age, by catching treatable balance issues, we can prevent a few falls, maybe even a few broken bones.
If you are suffering from balance issues or bouts of dizziness, and your doctor has ruled out life-threatening illness, consider finding a neurologist specializing in vestibular disorders at www.vestibular.org or contact Melissa Bloom, PT, DPT, NCS at Physiotherapy Associates in Decatur at 770-491-0920 for an evaluation.
Karen Huppertz has lived in Gwinnett County for 15 years. Reach her at karenhuppertz@gmail.com.
