"What to Do When Feeling Dizzy? Uncovering the Six Common Causes of Dizziness Among Seniors"

As living standards improve, we seem to be more prone to illness. For the elderly, almost 80% suffer from varying degrees of dizziness. It can look truly uncomfortable, so what should an elderly person do when experiencing dizziness? Dizziness is a common ailment among the elderly, typically attributed to six reasons: 1. Polycythemia and high blood viscosity. Hyperlipidemia increases blood viscosity, slowing blood flow and leading to inadequate brain blood supply, often manifesting as lethargy, dizziness, and fatigue. The causes of hyperlipidemia are multifaceted, with an unbalanced diet rich in high-fat and cholesterol foods and a lack of exercise being paramount. Currently, the incidence of this condition is on the rise.

2. Heart disease. Early symptoms of coronary heart disease (CHD) may be mild, with some individuals experiencing only headaches, difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, tinnitus, dizziness, and weakness in the limbs, rather than overt discomforts like chest tightness, palpitations, or shortness of breath. At this stage, dizziness is primarily caused by coronary atherosclerosis, which narrows the coronary arteries, leading to cardiac ischemia and hypoxia. Insufficient blood supply to the heart can result in insufficient blood flow to the brain, causing dizziness.

3. Cerebral arteriosclerosis can cause conscious dizziness, frequent insomnia, tinnitus, emotional instability, forgetfulness, and numbness in the extremities. It reduces the inner diameter of cerebral blood vessels, decreasing cerebral blood flow and causing insufficient blood and oxygen supply to the brain, thereby inducing dizziness.

4. Cervical spondylosis is characterized by stiffness and limited flexibility in the neck, occasional pain, numbness in the fingers, sensitivity to cold, and a heavy sensation. Cervical hyperplasia compresses the cervical arteries, causing inadequate blood supply to the brain, which is the primary cause of dizziness associated with this condition.

5. Hypertension often manifests as dizziness accompanied by head distension, insomnia, anxiety, tinnitus, and palpitations. 6. Anemia. Elderly individuals experiencing dizziness, fatigue, and pallor should undergo medical checkups for anemia. In old age, the presence, quality, and quantity of hematopoietic tissue decline, and aging red blood cells become less efficient in iron utilization. Thus, without proper nutrition and healthcare, the elderly are prone to anemia. Additionally, digestive disorders, peptic ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, and chronic inflammatory diseases can contribute to secondary anemia in the elderly.

What should elderly individuals with dizziness do? Regular practice of Taijiquan (Tai Chi) promotes a joyful and serene mindset. As a gentle exercise, Taijiquan enhances blood circulation and strengthens muscles, helping to alleviate illnesses and strengthen the body. Firstly, the elderly should abstain from smoking and alcohol and avoid raw, cold, greasy, salty, spicy, and acidic foods, particularly limiting animal liver, kidneys, intestines, egg whites, and fish roe. Instead, they should consume fresh vegetables, fruits, bean sprouts, melons, black fungus, celery, water chestnuts, beans, milk, fish, and shrimp. Strawberry juice is particularly recommended for those with CHD. Daily combing of the hair with a wooden comb promotes cerebral blood circulation and alleviates mild dizziness. It's best to comb gently in one direction, ideally 5-10 times daily. When sitting or rising, especially from a squatting position, movements should be slow and deliberate to avoid sudden rises or head movements. During colder weather, middle-aged and elderly individuals should avoid rising too early, particularly for morning exercises, as blood vessels tend to constrict in low temperatures.