Vertigo in Elderly Persons

Abstract

Features of vertigo, which occurs frequently in elderly persons, are described below. In this communication, the definition, symptoms, and classification (central and peripheral types) of vertigo are provided. In addition, the causes and symptoms of vertigo in cases representative of individual types are reported.
1.The frequency of complaints by elderly persons of vertigo and disequilibrium is increasing every year. The causes of such symptoms are cerebrovascular disorders, atrophy of the brain, and degeneration of the vertebral column (particularly degeneration of the cervical vertebra).
2.Central vertigo occurs more frequently in elderly persons than does peripheral vertigo. Since central vertigo is often “an alarm” warning of a threat to life, it should not be ignored thoughtlessly.
3.Among the several kinds of peripheral vertigo, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo occurs most often in elderly persons.
4.The severity of vertigo is not necessarily proportional to the probability of death. When diagnosing “dangerous vertigo,” namely central vertigo, a physician should be cautious in detecting signs reflecting disorders of the central nervous system.
5.The function of the central nervous system is generally decreased in the elderly, and central compensating activity to restore equilibrium is slow in elderly persons. Vertigo and disequilibrium tend to persist and are not quickly alleviated in elderly persons.