What is Vertigo and what causes it?

Vertigo is a sensation or feeling of spinning around and losing one’s balance even though there is no movement in you or environment.

What causes vertigo?

If the vertigo is caused by problems in the brain or central nervous system it is referred to as central vertigo and if the vertigo is caused by problems in inner ear, then it is termed as a peripheral vertigo.

The labyrinth of the inner ear has tiny organs that allow messages to be sent to the brain in response to gravity. By intimating our brains about the movement from the vertical position, we are able to maintain balance or equilibrium. Disturbance to this system therefore produces vertigo that can be created by inflammation among other causes.

The inflammation can be observed in the following conditions -

  • Labyrinthitis: This is inflammation of labyrinth and vestibular nerve (the nerve that is responsible for encoding the body’s motion and position)
  • Vestibular neuronitis : This is due to inflammation of the vestibular nerve. 
  • Meniere’s disease : It is a disorder of the inner ear that is characterized by episodes of vertigo, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), hearing loss, and fullness in the ear. The cause of Meniere’s disease is unclear but likely involves both genetic and environmental factors. A number of theories exist for why it occurs including constrictions in blood vessels, viral infections, and autoimmune reactions.
  • Cervical Spondylosis: Patients having slight degeneration of the cervical spine and presence of osteophytes also have a tendency to develop Vertigo.
  • Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo(BPPV) : BPPV is the thought to be caused by a disturbance in the otolith particles. Otolith particles are the crystals of calcium carbonate present in the inner ear fluid that pull on sensory hair cells during movement and to stimulate the vestibular nerve to send positional information to the brain. In people with BPPV, endolymph fluid continues to move even after normal head movement has stopped.
  • Blood Pressure: Probably the most common cause of vertigo would be increase in Blood Pressure (Hypertension) or decrease in Blood Pressure (Hypotension).

BPPV vertigo can also be caused by -

  1. A head injury
  2. Reduced blood flow in a certain area of the brain
  3. An episode of labyrinthitis
  4. Ear surgery
  5. Prolonged bed rest

Symptoms of Vertigo:

  • Spinning
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Unbalanced
  • Pulled to one direction
  • Ringing in the ears or hearing loss
  • Abnormal or jerking eye movements (nystagmus)
  • Sweating
  • Headache

Treatment for vertigo:

Treatment for vertigo depends upon the type and severity of the problem. Avoiding consumption of substances that can affect circulation, including caffeine, tobacco, or alcohol, drinking plenty of fluids. Consumption of lavender and vitamin-D rich food. 

Physiotherapy exercises include head and body movements done while sitting on bed (It is better to take guidance of physiotherapists for better and fast relief.)

Medications or treatment can be taken only after doctor’s consultation. 

Homeopathic treatment is fast and the relief will be long lasting. In most of the cases homeopathic medicines cured the disease without surgeries and side effects.

Common remedies for Vertigo:

1. CONIUM MACULATUM - Conium is an excellent remedy for the treatment of vertigo with difficult gait, trembling, sudden loss of strength while walking. People complain about vertigo when lying down and turning over in bed. Slight noise or conversation of others or even shaking the head slightly produces vertigo.

2.  COCCULUS INDICUS - Vertigo accompanied by nausea during travelling can be very effectively treated with this Homeopathic medicine. Cocculus gives very good results when the Vertigo is accompanied by nausea.

3. BELLADONNA - Severe throbbing of the head associated with vertigo. Patient feels that he is falling to left side or backwards. It is also effective in patients with Cervical Spondylosis.

4. CALCAREA FLUORICA - Best remedy for treatment of Vertigo due to Cervical Spondylosis where bony tissue is involved.

Disclaimer: This article is written by the Practitioner for informational purposes only. Users must not view the content as medical advice in any way. Users are also required to ’NOT SELF MEDICATE’ and always consult a practicing specialist before taking any medicines or undergoing any treatment. Practo and the Practitioner will not be responsible for any act or omission by the User arising from the User’s interpretation of the content.