Nearly one quarter of the study participants reported dizziness that had been present for at least 1 month. They described their dizziness in several different ways, including as loss of balance, spinning, and near fainting. Nearly three quarters of the persons with dizziness reported that several different activities triggered it. The researchers may not have asked about factors some associated with dizziness. They also did not ask participants whether they had sought medical care for their dizziness, so we don't know how much it troubled them.
Dizziness is a common symptom among older adults living in the community.
Dizziness in an older person often seems to be associated with a combination of other medical conditions and with the medications a person is taking rather than the result of a single underlying disease. Annals Summaries for Patients are presented for informational purposes only. These summaries are not a substitute for advice from your own medical provider. If you have questions about this material, or need medical advice about your own health or situation, please contact your physician.