Dizziness and prevention of falls in the elderly

Disequilibrium is one of the most com- mon complaints that older adults bring to their physician and falling is a frequent complication; because of the increasing number of elderly patients in western socie- ty the problem grows. The increasing sus- ceptibility to falling can be consequence of age-related physiological changes and of a higher prevalence of comorbidities causing dizziness, vertigo and imbalance; these symptoms can worse the already poor bal- ance of old adults increasing the risk of falling. Among the major reasons of vertigo and dizziness, central vertigo and orthostat- ic vertigo are very common; also vestibular disorders have a great role and are currently thought to account for 48% of dizziness reported by older adults. An early identifi- cation of the treatable condition underlying dizziness in elderly would surely ameliorate the outcome of these patients