Some people experience dizziness when walking or standing suddenly, and there is also a problem in maintaining physical balance. In such a situation, it seems as if everything around is spinning. It may be a symptom of vertigo. However, many individuals may not be aware of vertigo. Let us tell you that in some severe cases of vertigo, the person loses his balance and falls, which is called “drop attack”. In this article, we will share information related to the symptoms of vertigo as well as giving important information related to the home remedies and treatment of vertigo.
Types of Vertigo:
Before getting information related to the causes and symptoms of vertigo and its home remedies, it is important to know about the types of vertigo before that. There are two types of Vertigo:
- Peripheral Vertigo — This is due to a problem with the vestibular labyrinth or semicircular canals. This is called peripheral vertigo. In such a situation, the person may have trouble finding his balance.
- Central Vertigo — Central vertigo can be caused by some kind of problem in the brain. Usually, this can happen due to some kind of problem in the brain stem or the back part of the brain (cerebellum).
Causes of Vertigo:
As there are two types of vertigo, in such a situation, their reasons have also been divided into two different parts. So first of all let’s know the causes of peripheral vertigo, which are as follows:
- Inflammation of the vestibular nerve
- Injury to the head
- Meniere’s disease
- Inflammation and irritation of the inner ear
- Pressure on the vestibular nerve
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) — During this, small particles of calcium accumulate in the inner part of the ear, which can affect the messages sent from the ear to the brain and problems with balance might also be possible. This can be considered the most common type of vertigo. It is associated with peripheral vertigo, as it may be caused by a disorder involving the vestibular.
Central vertigo can be caused due to the following conditions:
- Migraine
- Blood vessel diseases
- Excessive use of alcohol
- Stroke
- Tumors (cancerous or non-cancerous)
- Multiple sclerosis (an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord)
- Some medicines, such as anticonvulsants, are a side effect of aspirin.
Symptoms of Vertigo:
Headaches and dizziness are the common symptoms of vertigo. Apart from this, there are some other symptoms by which you can detect vertigo.
- Problems swallowing food
- Blurred vision
- Motion sickness
- Nausea and vomiting problem
- Hearing loss
- Headache problem
- Tinnitus — whistling sound in one ear
- Problem controlling eyes
- Facial paralysis
- Trouble speaking or stuttering
- Feeling tired
- Trouble swallowing anything
- Vestibular migraine — a type of migraine headache.
Diagnosis of Vertigo:
Doctors can identify vertigo in the following ways, including:
- Blood Test — Vertigo can be diagnosed by a blood test.
- CT Scan — A CT scan of the head may also be advised to diagnose vertigo.
- MRI — In some cases, an MRI scan of the head may also be done to diagnose vertigo.
- Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials (BAEP) — Your doctor may recommend a BAEP test. To perform this test, the doctor places small electrodes on the patient’s scalp and the lower part of the ears. These wires are connected to a machine that records all brain activity. Along with this, earphones or headphones are also provided during this time. Then some voices are heard in it. It examines how the brain processes the sound heard.
- Electroencephalogram (EEG) — At the same time, if needed, the doctor may recommend an EEG test. In this test, the patient is asked to lie down comfortably and during this time electrode wires are placed on their head, which are connected to a machine. Readings are taken in this machine.
- Electronystagmography — The doctor can also check this by doing electronystagmography. This is a test related to eye movement.
- Caloric Stimulation — Vertigo can also be diagnosed by caloric stimulation. In this test, lukewarm and cold water is tested by putting it in the ear. With this, the problem related to the acoustic nerve can be detected. This nerve is for hearing and balance. This test can also be done to detect damage to the brain stem.
- Walk Test — The doctor may also check the way a person walks.
- Lumbar Puncture — The doctor can also perform lumbar puncture procedure. In this procedure, a needle is inserted into the lower part of the spinal cord to find out why it affects the brain, spinal cord and other parts of the nervous system. After this, a sample of fluid is taken from inside the spine through a needle.
- Head Thrust — Vertigo can also be detected through the head thrust. Through this test, the doctor can check for peripheral vertigo and central vertigo. To perform this test, the patient’s eyes may be asked to look at a focused point. After this, holding the patient’s head with both hands, it is rotated lightly from right to left. During this, the patient’s eye movements are checked.
Treatment of Vertigo:
There are some methods doctors can adopt to treat the problem of vertigo; including:
- For the treatment of benign positional vertigo, the patient’s head is moved to a specific position.
- The doctor may prescribe medicines for the main symptoms of vertigo such as nausea and vomiting.
- In some rare cases, surgery may also be needed.
- The doctor may also recommend doing some physical exercises to get relief from the problem of vertigo. This exercise can help in correcting the balance. It can also be helpful in strengthening muscles.
- The doctor may also recommend lifestyle changes to get relief from the problem of vertigo.
- If the problem of vertigo is being caused due to some disease, then the doctor can investigate that disease and can further treatment accordingly.
Diet for Vertigo:
Vertigo patients are advised to take less amount of fat and carbohydrates. Additionally, increasing the amount of fiber in the diet is recommended. In such a situation, the following foods can be included in the diet to prevent the problem of vertigo to some extent:
- Consume fiber rich foods. For this, you can consume fruits including apples, bananas, pears and peaches. You can also eat whole grain bread, brown rice and oatmeal.
- Do not consume caffeine and alcohol.
- Carrots, boiled potatoes, spinach, mushrooms and pumpkin can also be eaten in the diet for vertigo.
- Reduce the amount of salt in the diet. Avoid consuming foods that are high in salt (sodium), such as ham, bacon, salami, bologna, etc. At the same time, avoid eating pickle, dhokla and baked foods in the Indian diet.
- Vertigo can also occur in Meniere’s disease. This is a problem related to the ear, in which there may be problems like dizziness. In such a situation, to prevent this problem or reduce the symptoms, reduce the amount of salt in the diet.
- Vitamin B12 deficiency may increase the risk of tinnitus. In this case, include foods containing vitamin B12 such as banana, kidney beans, milk in the diet.
Exercises For Vertigo:
To prevent vertigo or to get relief from the problem, the doctor may also recommend doing certain types of exercises; including
- Standing Upright — It is also called Romberg exercise. To do this, stand straight with your back on the wall and keep a chair in front of you for support. Your hands should be straight down. In this position, you stand for about 30 seconds and do it about 5 times. When you get used to it, do this exercise with your eyes closed.
- Swaying Back and Forth — Stand straight against the wall as in standing upright. Open your feet to the width of the shoulders and keep your hands straight down. Now moving your body back and forth, alternately bring the weight of the whole body first from the ankles to the toes and then from the toes to the ankles. During this, your hips should remain straight. One can repeat this as many times as per their convenience.
- Toe Touching exercise — Now again in this position without taking your feet off the floor, first touch the right toe with the left hand, then bend from right to left and touch the left toe. Keep in mind that during this the other hand should remain straight up. Repeat this as per your convenience.
These exercises can be done twice a day. At the same time, when there is an attack of mild vertigo, then the exercise given below can be useful.
- The Brandt-Daroff Exercises — This exercise can be done for quick relief from the symptoms of dizziness. It can be done something like this:
- First of all, sit on the edge of the bed or sofa with your legs hanging.
- Now, start bending on the left side and lie down for two-three seconds.
- While doing this, your head should be raised upwards at a 45 degree angle.
- After that come back to the normal position and sit for about 30 seconds.
- Then, start leaning on the right side and lie down for two-three seconds.
- Once again come back to the normal position and sit for about 30 seconds.
- Repeat this process five times at a time.
Note — If the problem of vertigo is severe, then instead of exercising, consult a doctor. Apart from this, start exercise only under the supervision of an expert. If pregnant or if someone is suffering from any kind of health problem, then they should seek medical advice before exercising.
Home Remedies to Treat Vertigo:
Home remedies for vertigo can be done for mild symptoms of vertigo such as lightheadedness or dizziness. Keep in mind that the home remedies mentioned here can prevent vertigo or reduce its symptoms, do not take them as a complete medical treatment. Home remedies for vertigo may include:
1. Peppermint Oil for Vertigo:
Material:
- Two to three drops of peppermint oil
- One teaspoon almond oil
How to Use:
- Mix both the oils well
- Now apply it on your forehead and back of the neck.
How Beneficial:
Headache is one of the symptoms of vertigo. According to a research, peppermint oil can relieve symptoms of vertigo, such as headache. In such a situation, it can be believed that the use of peppermint oil can be beneficial to reduce the symptoms of vertigo.
2. Ginger Oil:
Material:
- Ginger oil
How to Use:
- Apply a drop or two of ginger oil on your neck, behind the ears and on the soles.
How Beneficial:
In addition to peppermint oil, ginger oil can also be used to relieve vertigo symptoms. Dizziness can be relieved to a great extent by the use of ginger oil. Along with this, it can also provide relief from stress or symptoms of vertigo, such as headaches and vomiting.
3. Grapefruit Oil:
Material:
- Two to three drops of grapefruit oil
How to Use:
- Put grapefruit oil in a diffuser and keep it in any corner of the room.
How Beneficial:
There is no doubt that the benefits of grapefruit are many. Like grapefruit, grapefruit oil can also be beneficial for health. Grapefruit oil has been confirmed to have anti-inflammatory properties. Anti-inflammatory properties can be considered beneficial in providing relief in the problem of inflammation.
At the same time, inflammation of the vestibular nerve is also one of the causes of vertigo. In such a situation, the use of grapefruit oil can be beneficial to prevent inflammation to some extent. Although solid scientific evidence is still needed on this, grapefruit oil can be used for mild symptoms of vertigo.
4. Basil and Cypress Oil:
Material:
- Two to three drops of basil oil
- One to two drops of cypress oil
- Diffuser
How to Use:
- Mix both essential oils well together
- Put the oil in a diffuser and keep it in the room.
How Beneficial:
Basil is an Ayurvedic herb, which has many health benefits. It is an excellent Ayurvedic medicine for nausea, vomiting, fever, cold and stomach related problems. Similarly, basil oil can also be beneficial. Not directly, but basil oil can be beneficial for the symptoms of vertigo, such as migraine.
Research reveals that basil oil may be useful in reducing the intensity of migraines. In such a situation, apart from putting it in the diffuser, basil oil can also be applied during vertigo.
At the same time, cypress oil helps relieve headaches to some extent.
5. Frankincense Oil for Vertigo:
Material:
- Four to five drops frankincense oil
How to Use:
- Massage the shoulders with a few drops of frankincense oil.
How Beneficial:
Frankincense is rich in anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. The properties present in it can be effective in reducing inflammation. It may have a positive effect in reducing inflammation in the ears, which is a cause of vertigo. However, scientific evidence is still needed on how effective it will be for vertigo.
6. Clary Sage Oil for Vertigo:
Material:
- Few drops of clary sage oil
- Diffuser
How to Use:
- Put a few drops of clary sage oil in a diffuser and keep it in the room.
How Beneficial:
Clary sage oil has anti-inflammatory properties. And, according to a scientific research, due to its anti-inflammatory activity, it can help reduce body inflammation to some extent.
At the same time, one of the causes of vertigo is swelling in the ears. On this basis, it can be said that the use of clary sage oil can be helpful to prevent vertigo.
7. Ginkgo Biloba for Vertigo:
Material:
- Ginkgo Biloba Tablet
How to Use:
- Take the ginkgo biloba tablet as directed by the doctor.
How Beneficial:
Ginkgo is a medicinal plant, which is considered very beneficial in the treatment of vertigo. Its tablet is available in the market, which can be consumed for the treatment of vertigo, as per the doctor’s direction. So before using Ginkgo biloba for the problem of vertigo, definitely take medical advice.
8. Ginger for Vertigo:
Material:
- Grated ginger
- A cup of milk
- Sugar (as per taste)
- Half teaspoon tea leaves
How to Use:
- Boil the milk. After it comes to a boil, add tea leaves and grated ginger to it.
- Now, add sugar and boil the tea well. After boiling well, strain the tea through a sieve and drink it.
- After peeling a piece of ginger, you can also chew it whole.
How Beneficial:
The benefits of ginger for health are many. These also include relief from the symptoms of vertigo. According to a study, ginger can prove beneficial for vertigo. However, which properties of ginger are effective for vertigo, it is a matter of research. In addition, ginger has anti-nausea properties, which can relieve the symptoms of vertigo, such as vomiting and nausea.
9. Vitamin D:
Sometimes nutritional deficiencies can also cause vertigo. According to a research, deficiency of vitamin D can also trigger the symptoms of vertigo. In such a situation, to prevent vertigo or reduce its symptoms, you can consume vitamin D-rich foods such as fish, eggs, cheese, mushrooms and dairy products in the diet.
10. Stay Hydrated:
Sometimes the problem of low blood pressure or dehydration can also cause vertigo. In such a situation, to prevent this, drink more and more water and consume juice. Sports drinks can also be consumed after exercising. At the same time, if there is any kind of health related problem, then consult a doctor before consuming sports drinks.
Take Away
This problem can be relieved to a great extent by the home remedies of vertigo mentioned in this article. If the problem of vertigo persists, then definitely contact to your doctor without any delay. Apart from this, try to adopt a good diet and disciplined routine.
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