Vertigo and balance disturbances in persons over 60 years of age

Introduction. Vertigoes determine the problem in the band above 60. years at the live. Severe vegetative symptoms are often accompanied
by fear for life, intensified by the difficulties in keeping proper balance.

Aim of the study. The aim of the study was to analyze symptoms, types of dizziness and the most common causes leading to vertigo and
disequilibrium in persons over 60 years of age, examined in the Laboratory of Balance Disorders in the Department of Otolaryngology,
University Hospital in Krakow in the year 2009.

Material and methods. Medical documentation of 1244 patients was analyzed. For the purpose of the study a group 240 of patients over
60 years of age who underwent electronystagmographic examination was selected.

Results. The mean age of the examined patients was 67 years. More than two-thirds of them were women. In 67% the result of vestibular
tests were normal, 3% had loss of vestibular function, in remaining 30% the vestibular impairment was moderate or severe. Most of the
examined group complained of rotatory vertigo. These persons significantly more often reported nausea or vomiting. Persons with hearing
impairment or deafness significantly more often had severe vestibular disfunction und vertigo of disequlibrium. Persons with tinnitus significantly
more often had hearing impairment as well. The most severe vestibular impairment was observed in patients with vascular abnormalities
found in the carotid and vertebral artery doppler ultrasonography.

Conclusions. The most common cause of vertigo were vascular disorders in persons over 60 years of age.

Nursing Topics 2011; 19 (2): 194–201