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Home » Vertigo and Other Reasons Your Mom Gets Dizzy
Vertigo isn’t a health condition. It’s a symptom caused by an inner ear imbalance that makes it seem like the area around you is spinning or moving even when it’s still. Dizziness is a key symptom. People with vertigo may feel unsteady, sway, and fall. They may feel nauseous and want to lay down. Vertigo can make daily routines very hard to complete.
What Other Conditions Cause Dizziness?
Dizziness is a troubling condition in older people. It’s one of several reasons older people fall. That fall can lead to fractured bones or serious head injuries. You can’t ignore dizziness.
Vertigo may be the result of another health issue like high blood pressure or diabetes. In addition to those conditions, dizziness can be a side effect of medications your mom is taking. She could have an ear infection. It could be several things acting in combination to create the dizziness she feels.
If your mom is taking any medications that warn against driving or using machinery, it could be the medication causes dizziness or drowsiness. Talk to your mom’s doctor to see if there’s an alternative. If there isn’t, ask if she can take it at night when she’s going to bed instead of in the morning or afternoon when she’s most active.
If your mom is dealing with vertigo, it may be mild or severe. It may come and go. If it’s severe, she should see a doctor and rule out other health issues that can cause dizziness. High blood pressure and diabetes are examples. If her doctor rules those out and can’t find any health issue causing her vertigo, she may need to learn specific head movements and exercises that help alleviate the dizziness and work on keeping her balance.
Is It Time to Hire an Elder Care Aide to Help Your Mom With Daily Routines?
Don’t brush off a fall. If she’s fallen once, she could fall again. It’s time to improve safety in her home. Safety bars in the bathroom and sturdy rails on stairs both inside and outside the home will help. Non-slip flooring in the kitchen, bathroom, and entryway are also helpful. If she has fallen while walking, consider getting her a cane to help her with balance.
Call our elder care agency to discuss the services caregivers can offer. Your mom can have a companion join her on walks. She can have a caregiver available when she’s getting out of bed or out of the shower. This can help lessen the risk of a fall. An elder care specialist is ready to help you find the right services to keep your mom safe.