VERTIGO

Vertigo is a kind of dizzy feeling with the sensation of motion or spinning. People with vertigo feel as though they are actually spinning or moving that the world is spinning around them with nausea and vomiting.

This feeling may be mild or severe that you find it difficult to keep your balance and do everyday tasks. Vertigo may pass quickly or it may last for few hours or even few days.

CAUSES/RISK FACTORS

• Positional Vertigo – Certain movements can produce vertigo. It may be caused by previous Head injury.
• Motion sickness – Mountain climbing, ridding in car or horse.
• Brain Tumor (Cancerous or Non-Cancerous).
• Stroke or bleeding in the brain.
• Migraine headaches
• Skipping meals especially breakfast.
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Infections of inner ear.

SYMPTOMS

• Dizziness
• A loss of balance or unsteadiness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Abnormal eye movements with Blurred vision.
• Feeling mentally dull like your thinking is not clear or sharp
• Symptoms associated with infections – High fever, ringing in your ears and progressive hearing loss.

COMPLICATIONS

• Dizziness can increase your risk of falling and injuring yourself. 
• Experiencing dizziness while driving a car or operating heavy machinery can increase the likelihood of an accident. 

DIAGNOSIS

• Audiometry – to detect abnormalities in hearing function.
• CT Scan- to look for other problems that could be causing headache.
• MRI Scan – to look for brain abnormalities and to look closely at the blood vessels in the brain.
• Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) – to detect meningitis or other conditions.

PRECAUTIONS FOR POSITIONAL VERTIGO

• Use two or more pillows at night and avoid sleeping on the bad side.
• Get up slowly in morning and sit on the edge of bed for a minute.
• Avoid sudden movements (such as bending down to pick up things, turning around).
• Avoid using strong smelling air fresheners or perfumes.
• Follow a healthy and nutritious diet. Stay hydrated.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT

• Do moderate exercise, such as walking in fresh and open-air as daily routine.
• There are some exercises to get relief from vertigo. Do these exercises with the supervision of Doctor or ask your Doctor before practicing such exercises as it will do harm without proper diagnosis.

• Exercises for Vertigo:

1. Brandt-Daroff Exercises 
2. Semont Maneuver
3. Epley Maneuver 
4. Foster Manuer

• Practicing these exercises will be helpful for persons affected with positional vertigo associated with ear problems. This will not cure vertigo, but help to reduce symptoms.
• It’s important to get a diagnosis before trying these exercises. If your vertigo isn’t caused by fault in your position (Positional Vertigo), these moves will produce even more problems.

• Your Doctor may also recommend you to do these exercises more or less frequently, depending on your condition. And also show you modifications if you have limited mobility.

 HOMEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT

Homeopathic medicine helps in relieving the dizziness that is not associated with damage of organ. Homeopathic medicines helps in increasing the blood flow to the brain, hence reverses the depleted circulation which is the cause of vertigo most of the times. A homeopathic medicine helps to prevent the vertigo and also helps to reduce the frequency and intensity of dizziness.

A study conducted by Dr. Parth Aphale, M.D.(Hom.), & Dr. Atul Rajgurav, M.D. (Hom.), Faculty, Department of Homoeopathic Pharmacy, Dr. D.Y. Patil Homoeopathic Medical College & Research Centre, Pune for the Homeopathic treatment of Positional Vertigo shows improvement in 25 out of 30 (83%) patients with vertigo. They all showed fast improvement in symptoms as well as reduction in duration and frequency of attack. 

Homeopathic medicines are non-toxic, most effective and quick in action. These medicines are safely used in pregnant women, children and old people without any harmful side effects.