Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Is The Sensation Of The Room Spinning In A Elderly Person A Sign Of Vertigo?
Question: I am 75 years old and in good health. Yesterday morning I was awakened at 1am and felt like
my eyes were rolling around in my head, I sat up and discovered the room was spinning and my eyes
were following the spinning. I was not in any pain. Today I am better, but still feel out of control.
Do I have vertigo? Never had a problem like this before. My email address is as follows:
YYYY@YYYY Many thanks.
my eyes were rolling around in my head, I sat up and discovered the room was spinning and my eyes
were following the spinning. I was not in any pain. Today I am better, but still feel out of control.
Do I have vertigo? Never had a problem like this before. My email address is as follows:
YYYY@YYYY Many thanks.
Brief Answer:
vertigo
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
vertigo is the spinning sensation. The differential diagnosis is too broad to fully cover here but I'll present some of the most common or serious causes to get an idea. First of all the causes can originate from the central nervous system (central) or the ear (peripheral).
Let me start with one of the commonest ones which is BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) which usually causes vertigo for a few seconds to minutes when the patient moves. The vertigo may start a few seconds after the move and won't usually last for long. This is benign as the name suggests and the ENT specialist can treat it with certain maneuvers.
Various infections involving the ear or the upper respiratory tract may invade the vestibular organs or the nerve and cause vertigo.
Menier's disease is another potential cause (1% of population) which also causes ear fullness and tinnitus.
Regarding the central causes cerebrovascular events, tumors and other equally serious disorders may be involved. Migraine is a benign central cause.
If your symptoms persist you should be examined by either an acute care doctor or an ENT specialist and perhaps do some tests for appropriate assessment. The diagnostic strategy may differ depending on clinical evaluation so I can't suggest specific tests right now.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
Please let me know if you need more information or any clarification.
Kind Regards!
vertigo
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
vertigo is the spinning sensation. The differential diagnosis is too broad to fully cover here but I'll present some of the most common or serious causes to get an idea. First of all the causes can originate from the central nervous system (central) or the ear (peripheral).
Let me start with one of the commonest ones which is BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) which usually causes vertigo for a few seconds to minutes when the patient moves. The vertigo may start a few seconds after the move and won't usually last for long. This is benign as the name suggests and the ENT specialist can treat it with certain maneuvers.
Various infections involving the ear or the upper respiratory tract may invade the vestibular organs or the nerve and cause vertigo.
Menier's disease is another potential cause (1% of population) which also causes ear fullness and tinnitus.
Regarding the central causes cerebrovascular events, tumors and other equally serious disorders may be involved. Migraine is a benign central cause.
If your symptoms persist you should be examined by either an acute care doctor or an ENT specialist and perhaps do some tests for appropriate assessment. The diagnostic strategy may differ depending on clinical evaluation so I can't suggest specific tests right now.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
Please let me know if you need more information or any clarification.
Kind Regards!
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
