Elderly feeling dizzy need physical activity

If you're elderly and you feel dizzy, you might want to take more walks.

To identify the effects of dizziness on quality of life, and how to fight those effects, researchers surveyed 4,360 elderly people. Of these, 1,924 men and women (63 percent) reported dizziness during the previous 3 months. Those who were dizzy reported poorer mental and physical quality of life, and were about twice as likely to report falling. Nearly 43 percent of the elders with dizziness said they felt down-in-the-dumps or depressed, compared with just 13 percent of their non-dizzy peers. Similar percentages reported worry and anxiousness.

While about half the elders with dizziness reported being able to complete regular daily tasks with no help, about 70 percent of their non-dizzy peers did so.

However, physical activity, whether at heavier or lighter levels, seemed to benefit elders with dizziness. The researchers found better quality of life among elders with dizziness who said they partook in long or short walks, played sports, or did heavy or light gardening. Even small things, such as doing household chores or spending time outdoors were good for decreasing the risk for poor quality of life. It also decreased the risk of falling.

The researchers encourage elders to participate in daily physical activity.