h e a r t s c e n t
VERTIGO
If you have never experienced vertigo, it is difficult to describe. Imagine getting off a swirling ride at the fair or carnival. Only you didn’t just get off a ride. And it is much more intense with ringing ears and sensitivity to light. That feeling can occur at any time and last for hours or days for those that deal with this condition.
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WHAT IS VERTIGO?
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According to according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) approximately 69 million people in the United States have suffered from an episode of vertigo at some point, and about 8 million Americans suffer from chronic balance issues on a regular basis.
We don’t know the exact cause of all cases of vertigo, but many who suffer from vertigo have also been diagnosed with Ménière’s disease.
Ménière’s disease is an inner ear disorder thought to be caused by a buildup of fluid and changing pressure in the ear. It can cause episodes of vertigo along with ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and hearing loss.
Many people experience Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), especially as they age. Unlike Meniere’s Disease, where the cause is often unknown, BPPV is caused by gravity-sensing particles in the ear accidentally entering the spinning-motion sensors of the ear. The symptoms of BPPV can be relieved by maneuvers that relocate the particles.
Vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis is an inner ear problem usually related to infection (usually viral). The infection causes inflammation in the inner ear around nerves that are important for helping the body sense balance.
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COMMON TRIGGERS
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Pay attention to when episodes of vertigo occur. You may start to see a pattern. Keeping a log of what we eat during the day.can be helpful as well. Many of the triggers are connected to what we ingest. Reducing or eliminating triggers can be very effective in reducing the number and severity of episodes. Common triggers for BPPV include:
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- Dehydration
- Migraines
- Lack of sleep
- Allergies
- Viral infections
- Ear infections
- Salt
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h e a r t s c e n t
HOME REMEDIES
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- Stay hydrated. Drink half your weight in ounces of plain water daily.
- Get a good night sleep. Lack of sleep is one of the reasons that lead to vertigo.
- Drink ginger tea or eat a piece of raw ginger. This will help to control nausea, associated with vertigo.
- There are a few exercises that may be helpful:
- Half-somersault maneuver
- Brandt-Daroff exercises
- Homeopatheic remedies for vertigo
- Cranial Sacral treatment (massage therapist)
- Reduce salt intake
- Essential oils
- Peppermint – may be beneficial for queasiness and pain
- Lavender – calming and relaxation
- Ginger – queasiness
- Frankincense – calming, stress reduction
- MOTION Inhaler – combination of these of oils, helpful for motion sickness. Use frequently. Repeat as needed for comfort.
*For educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
