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REVIEW PAPER
DIZZINESS AND THE RISK OF FALLING IN THE ELDERLY:
A LITERATURE REVIEW
1
Audiology and ENT Department, University Hospital of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
Publication date: 2015-03-31
Corresponding author
Andrea Ciorba
Andrea Ciorba, Audiology and ENT Department, University Hospital of Ferrara, via A. Moro 8, Cona, Ferrara 44123, Italy, e-mail: andrea.ciorba@unife.it
Andrea Ciorba, Audiology and ENT Department, University Hospital of Ferrara, via A. Moro 8, Cona, Ferrara 44123, Italy, e-mail: andrea.ciorba@unife.it
J Hear Sci 2015;5(1):9-13
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Slipping and falling in the elderly present an important public health problem, as falls can lead to serious injury. Falling-related costs, both health and social, are very high in western countries and increased attention is being given to the issue. Dizziness is one of the main causes of falling in the elderly. Its origin can depend on many factors, including cardiovascular/neurological disease, sensory deterioration, and vestibular dysfunction. Assessment of such patients can be tricky, requiring the
presence of an otolaryngologist and/or audiologist. In terms of a therapeutic strategy, various options exist but the final solution can be very challenging, since the choice of drugs or rehabilitation program/s must consider the residual function of different systems (as well as the vestibular system) and of other medical conditions that can disturb balance.
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