Balance disorders and labyrinth
Balance disorder, dizziness and consequent falls, often resulting in injuries and fractures, are among the most common cases of old age. They are included in the so-called "Great geriatric problems". The vast majority of them are caused by senile, atrophic changes in the labyrinth.
Causes of changes in the labyrinth
Their causes are similar to senile changes in the inner ear that lead to hearing loss. Recall - there is hearing loss and then deafness by the so-called atrophy of cells in the Corti's organ, atrophy of nerve cells in the vestibulo-cochlear nerve, or atrophy of vessels supplying blood to the stria vascularia.
Łagony, paroxysmal dizziness
It is thought that benign, paroxysmal dizziness is one of the most common causes of dizziness in the elderly. Correct diagnosis of this disorder allows in many cases to obtain immediate therapeutic results.
Causes of dizziness
The direct cause of dizziness are usually calcium carbonate crystals, the so-called statolites, released from the otolithic organ and floating freely in the endolymphatic fluid of the inner ear. Statolites can move to each of the three semicircular canals, but most often it concerns the semi-circular rear channel. With a certain head position, they cause short-term episodes of dizziness.
Typical symptoms
Elderly patients usually suffer from dizziness in the morning when turning in bed or standing up. They can also occur when a patient is put on a bed or tilts his head back, for example when taking a shower or sitting in a dental chair. Balance disorder and unsteady gait may persist for several hours after undergoing a vertigo episode.
Treatment
In the treatment of these disorders, many types of exercises are currently used to bring pathological statolifts to the inner ear vestibule, in which they no longer cause disease symptoms. How to diagnose changes in the labyrinth or the cause of dizziness?
Generally, the correct diagnosis of senile balance disorders can be made by family doctors who have known the patient for years and see a progressively progressive disability in the functioning of all the senses of the patient. In many situations, it is recommended to use a cane by a senior to greatly reduce the danger of falling.
Doctor of Medicine Janusz Krzyżowski
Psychiatrist
Private office tel. 22 833 18 68
00-774Warszawa, Dolna 4 lok. 15
