You’re walking down a hallway one day when suddenly you find yourself feeling slightly faint followed by a dizzying sensation. Then, everything around you seems to spin wildly, and you flail so hard trying to look for something to hold and keep you steady.
You think there may be something wrong with you. However, that strange phenomenon you just experienced is probably a sign of vertigo.
Vertigo – what is it?
When you suddenly feel that your step becomes unbalanced and everything surrounding you is spinning at an uncontrollable speed is vertigo. It is classified as a specific type of dizzy sensations followed by bouts of nausea, vomiting, headaches, and palpitations.
Most people view vertigo as fear of heights since it occurs when looking down from tall heights. However, the condition is associated with other underlying conditions. Vertigo can happen to anyone at any age, but the condition is a lot more common in older individuals aged 65 and above.
When a person has vertigo, it can often occur temporarily and will disappear after some time. There are others, however, who suffer the condition at a longer period.
Vertigo is a condition that can affect a person’s capability to operate normally. In rare cases, this inability to function can lead to extreme depression and anxiety.
What are the factors causing vertigo?
There are many reasons why vertigo can happen to a person. However, the most common cause of the condition is a possibility of ear infection. The causes of these infections are of the following:
1. BPPV
BPPV is a condition that is short for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. BPPV is when micro-sized particles containing calcium or canaliths form a hard mass within the inner ear’s canals. When this happens, it prevents the inner ear from transmitting messages to the brain for normal head and body coordination. This results in feeling out of balance and dizziness.
2. Meniere’s Disease
When a lot of fluid has accumulated in your inner ear, the condition is called Meniere’s disease. Many people with Meniere’s disease commonly experience frequent vertigo that happens at a longer period. People with this disease may also experience hearing ringing inside their ears or even temporary loss of hearing.
3. Labyrinthitis
Another term for this condition is vestibular neuritis where there is an irritation or infection in the ears. The infection is usually caused by certain viruses that invade the inner ear. The symptoms felt with this disease is usually temporary hearing loss and vertigo.
There are also other reasons why vertigo happens to certain people. These causes include:
1. Stroke – when the brain develops a blood clot or bleeds, it is known as a stroke. Stroke can also cause vertigo
2. Multiple Sclerosis – People who are diagnosed with MS or multiple sclerosis can also experience vertigo.
3. Migraine – Migraines can also cause dizziness and loss of balance which leads to vertigo.
4. Diabetes – When a person’s insulin is compromised leading to diabetes, the complications can make it difficult for blood to pass through to the brain due to hardening of the arteries. As a result, it causes vertigo as well.
5. Parkinson’s Disease – This disease causes loss of coordination with the brain and body. Reports of Parkinson’s disease is also associated with vertigo.
6. Pregnancy – There are high amounts of changes in the hormones and low levels of blood sugar in pregnant women. As a result, vertigo is also reported in pregnant women.
7. Anxiety Disorders – Individuals who suffer from extreme panic attacks and anxiety also experience symptoms of vertigo.
8. Allergic reactions – When a person is exposed to certain allergens like dust, pollen, molds or food, vertigo is also likely to happen.
9. Certain medication – Prescribed drugs can also contribute to vertigo including sedatives, antidepressants, medication for blood pressure. This is because of the medicine’s side effect causing symptoms of vertigo.
Risk factors for vertigo
Vertigo can be developed by anyone at any point in their lifetime. However, specific factors can likely increase the chances of developing the condition:
– Being a pregnant woman
– Being at an age above 50
– Suffering from injuries on the head
– Having a family history of vertigo
– Taking medications that contain side effects
– Suffering from an infection in the inner ear
– Excessive alcohol drinking
– Experiencing high amounts of anxiety
Natural treatments to manage symptoms of vertigo
In many cases, the source causing vertigo can often be difficult to identify. It can often become a frustrating endeavor when vertigo strikes at any time. Generally, getting treated by your doctor is the ideal solution. However, there are other ways you can try to help manage the symptoms. Below are five home remedies you can use to help manage the problem:
This is easily one of the strategies that people turn to when they experience vertigo. It is reported that this technique is effective in helping treat individuals with BPPV. This is done by sitting on one edge of the pillow that is placed lengthwise on the bed. Then, the legs should be extended straight out in front and slowly be rotating the head on either side. The other way is to lie on the one edge of a pillow where the chin is facing upwards making the head tilt backward. Maintain the position until the body recovers.
2. Yoga and meditation
This practice can help to make blood circulation increase to the head and the body.
This method is important in reducing the symptoms of vertigo. The ideal amount to drink is at least 8 to 10 glasses a day. You can also opt for fresh or organic juices to fill you with fiber.
4. Getting sufficient amount of sleep
Just like food, water, and exercise, sleep is also a necessary habit of following to reduce the symptoms of vertigo. You can also try taking short naps whenever you start to feel dizzy or nauseous.
5. Managing your stress properly
Anxiety and high levels of stress can increase the chances of vertigo. Managing it by identifying your source of stress and looking for suitable coping strategies can help lower the chances of vertigo attacks.
While these methods are effective, there are also herbal remedies you can try to reduce the symptoms of vertigo. Some of the most effective include:
– Gingko Biloba
– Ginger Tea
– Lemon
– Coriander seeds
– Almonds and milk
– Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey
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