Vestibular disorders in the elderly

Abstract

Vestibulopatias em idososThe incidence and prevalence of different types of dizziness and balance disorders that affect both genders in old age are high, and even higher in the long-lived elderly. Balance depends on many factors, including the adequate function of sensory, vestibular, visual, and somatosensory structures; muscle strength; joint mobility; and cognition. The sensory structures can be impaired by common diseases of aging, such as cardiovascular, metabolic, psychological, and central nervous system disorders; retinopathy and/or diabetic neuropathy; cataracts; macular degeneration; and by senility of the peripheral and central vestibular system. The all-too-common aspects of self-medication, polypharmacy, and sedentary lifestyle are aggravating or significant causative factors.Vertigo, feelings of instability or imbalance (with or without the feeling of an imminent fall), light or heavy-headedness, fluctuation, and presyncope/syncope are common types of dizziness observed in old age, occurring alone or in combination. The definition of vertigo, previously an exclusive prerogative of rotary dizziness, was recently expanded to include any dizziness associated with movement of the patient or objects in the environment, even if they do not move. Dizziness-related falls are common and can result in severe consequences, such as repeated concussions and the dreaded hip fracture. The quality of life of elderly patients with vestibular disorders is greatly impaired by dizziness; the functional limitations brought on by the symptom usually result in significant physical and psychological problems, as well as the incapacity to perform the activities of daily living and work to a greater or lesser degree.Constant acute or positional vertigo and chronic vertigo can be a result of either central or peripheral vestibular disorders. In the elderly, peripheral vestibular disorders are much more common than central ones. In addition to otological and neurological origins, metabolic disorders such ଝ Please cite this article as: Ganança MM. Vestibular disorders in the elderly. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2015;81:4---5.

Prevalência de vestibulopatia em idosos institucionalizados de Natal - RN - Brasil

“…Lidiane Maria de Brito Macedo Ferreira (1) , Karyna Myrelly Oliveira Bezerra de Figueiredo Ribeiro (1) , Kenio Costa de Lima…”

“…The latter consists of the labyrinth, pathways and vestibular nuclei, which interrelate in the region of the brain stem with other nuclei and neuronal pathways 1,2 . Changes in body balance may result from dysfunction at any of these levels, whether related to vestibular disorders or not.…”

“…Clinical examination 1,11 , as the initial clinical evaluation of a patient is known, can also be used to distinguish peripheral or central vestibular problems, the degree of injury and whether the condition of the patient is acute or chronic 10,[12][13][14][15] . There are several tests included in this assessment which, depending on the author in question, vary in number and type.…”

Uso da posturografia para identificação do risco de queda em idosos com tontura

“…A estabilidade corporal é mantida pela complexa integração entre o sistema sensorial, no qual estão incluídos os sentidos vestibular, somatossensorial e visual, e o sistema motor. A deterioração do equilíbrio ocorre tanto como processo natural associado ao envelhecimento, quanto devido à incidência de doenças crônico-degenerativas, podendo acometer qualquer um desses sistemas, o que predispõe às quedas (1,(5)(6)(7)(8)(9) .…”

Quality of Life and Gait in Elderly Group

“…The functional limitations imposed by the symptom causes physical and psychological injuries and inability to perform daily and work activities. 3 …”