by Growing Needs | Oct 11, 2024 | Community, Resources
For many seniors and their caregivers, navigating health concerns can be challenging, especially when symptoms of different conditions overlap. This is the case for vertigo and low blood pressure, both of which can cause dizziness, light-headedness, and balance issues. Understanding the differences between these conditions is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective management.
Vertigo is a sensation that makes you feel as if you or your surroundings are spinning or moving when there is no actual movement. It’s more than just a feeling of dizziness; vertigo is a specific type of dizziness that often results from problems in the inner ear, where the body’s balance system is located.
There are two main types of vertigo:
Low blood pressure, or hypotension, is a condition where the force of your blood against the walls of your arteries is too low. While many people think of high blood pressure as dangerous, low blood pressure can also be a cause for concern, particularly in seniors. Symptoms include dizziness, fainting, and blurred vision, which can occur when standing up too quickly (orthostatic hypotension).
Both vertigo and low blood pressure can cause similar symptoms, particularly dizziness and balance issues. This overlap can make it difficult to identify the underlying cause of these symptoms. For seniors, distinguishing between the two is essential, as the treatment approaches for vertigo and low blood pressure differ significantly.
While vertigo and low blood pressure share some symptoms, there are key signs that point specifically to vertigo:
For seniors and caregivers, understanding the signs of vertigo and how they can be mistaken for low blood pressure is vital for ensuring the correct treatment and support. While both conditions can cause similar symptoms, key differences such as the spinning sensation in vertigo and positional triggers can help distinguish between them. Always consult a healthcare professional when you are experiencing these symptoms.
Growing Needs grew out of our own encounters with caring for our aging parents and reflecting on the Growing Needs that we ourselves would face as we advance in years. We hope to build a community that will learn, share and contribute towards caring for the growing needs of our loved ones.
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