Vertigo is a form of dizziness that makes you feel as though you're moving or spinning even when you're stationary. As noted by the National Health Service of England, vertigo is a symptom of an underlying condition involving either your inner ear (peripheral vertigo) or your central nervous system (central vertigo), it's not a condition in its own right.1 In severe cases of vertigo, you may find it difficult to maintain your balance sufficiently to carry out everyday tasks. It can also be accompanied by other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, abnormal eye movements, headache, sweating, tinnitus, double vision and lack of coordination. Common Underlying Causes of Peripheral VertigoWhile your outer ear canal, eardrum and middle ear are involved in the transmission and interpretation of sound, your inner ear is not directly involved in hearing. The organs in your inner ear act as a gyroscope that sends messages to your brain about your body's position in space, and coordinate with your brain to balance your body as you move.2 Ailments that can contribute to peripheral vertigo, where the problem originates in your inner ear, include:3
Common Underlying Causes of Central VertigoYour central nervous system (CNS, which includes your brain and spinal cord) is responsible for controlling your muscle movement and the transmission of sensory stimuli to your brain. In central vertigo, damage or dysfunction in your cerebellum, the balance center of your brain, tends to be at play.9 Common underlying causes for central vertigo include:
The Link Between Stress, Anxiety and VertigoIn addition to these underlying conditions, stress and anxiety may also play a role. Research has shown those suffering vertigo related to Meniere's disease and/or migraines also have higher rates of anxiety than people with other forms of vertigo.13 On the other hand, anxiety or stress may also cause dizziness in and of itself. As noted in a fact sheet by the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy:14
Physical Therapy for BPPV-Related VertigoIn order to determine which treatment you might need, it's important to identify the underlying cause. As you might expect, treatment for peripheral vertigo will be different from central vertigo, as the problem originates in a completely different area of your body (ears opposed to CNS). Most cases of vertigo will spontaneously resolve in a short amount of time, but if the problem persists for days or is chronic, seek medical help. In the case of BPPV, physical therapy is commonly recommended. A physical therapist will perform a series of head movements to shift the crystal deposits in your inner ear into a location that won't affect your balance. There are several different particle repositioning procedures that can accomplish this, including the Epley, Semont, Foster and Brandt-Daroff maneuvers.15 In mild, temporary cases, you can also try these at home to achieve relief. As detailed by WebMD, the Epley maneuver is performed as follows:16
Some find the Foster maneuver easier to perform, as you don't have to lie in bed. Here's a summary:
You can also find instructions for another, similar particle repositioning procedure, accompanied by drawings showing the body position, on the Cleveland Clinic's website.17 Other Conventional Treatments for VertigoIf an inner ear infection is at fault, treatment will need to address the infection. Since most inner ear infections are caused by viruses and not bacteria, antibiotics are typically not recommended, as they do not work on viruses. A number of natural remedies may be helpful, however, such as garlic, coconut oil or onion. For instructions on how to use them, and other treatment methods to consider, see "How to Treat an Ear Infection Effectively." Similarly, with TBI-related vertigo, you may need to look at concussion treatment (see "The Concussion Repair Manual"), and if the vertigo is related to a stroke, you'll want to look at stroke rehabilitation (see "How to Optimize Your Recovery After a Stroke"). Naturally, in cases where your vertigo is caused by a more serious chronic disease, such as MS or tumors, the treatment will need to address those conditions as well. Ditto for anxiety and/or stress-related vertigo, in which case cognitive-behavioral therapy can be helpful.18 If your vertigo is caused by a vestibular or balance disorder originating in your CNS, vestibular rehabilitation therapy may be recommended. As explained by Vestibular.org: 19
At-Home Treatments for VertigoAt home, the following strategies may offer relief from vertigo:20
Supplements to Help Relieve VertigoCertain supplements and essential oils may also be helpful against vertigo and general dizziness, including:22
from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2019/04/18/vertigo-causes-and-treatments.aspx
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Nia Pure NatureThe Provider of premium Quality Health Products To Live Better Lives Archives
March 2022
Categories |