Vertigo is a sensation where you feel that you or your environment is spinning or moving. Generally, rotational motion can make you feel dizzy and off balance. Vertigo can be accompanied by several other symptoms like headache, unsteadiness, falls, nausea, or vomiting. Usually, vertigo is a symptom of various health conditions rather than the disease itself. People may experience vertigo temporarily or for a longer time, depending on the cause of it. Vertigo is very common and affects all ages. In younger people, middle ear pathology is most often the cause. For older people, assessment is needed due to the risk of complications.

Role of homeopathy in vertigo

Homeopathic medications help control the intensity and frequency of vertigo. They reduce the dizziness and provide symptomatic relief.

Six homeopathic medicines for vertigo

Cocculus

Common name: Indian cockle

Cocculus is indicated for when a person suffers from vertigo while sitting or riding in a moving car. Vertigo also occurs when he looks at a boat in motion and people suffering from seasickness. The vertigo is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and a sense of weakness or emptiness in the head, chest, or abdomen. There is weakness and trembling of the body, especially the arms and legs. Cocculus is indicated for vertigo due to motion. There is weakness and exhaustion with profuse sweat and dizziness. The complaints of vertigo may be associated with disturbed sleep patterns, mental excitement, grief, or anxiety and are relieved by lying down and keeping still.

Conium

Common name: Poison hemlock

Conium is indicated for vertigo occurring when lying down, turning head sideways, or even looking around. Elderly people suffering from vertigo discomfort benefit from this remedy. The vertigo worsens with a slight noise or while climbing down the stairs. There is a sensation of emptiness in the head or lightheadedness The vertigo may be accompanied by weakness, trembling, and difficulty maintaining balance. There is vertigo on rising, which sometimes causes a fall. The symptoms can worsen when walking in the dark or with closed eyes. There is a weakness in vision, characterized by giddiness and debility.

Phosphorus

Common name: Phosphorus

Phosphorus is indicated for vertigo after waking up from bed in the morning. A sensation of lightheadedness accompanies the feeling of dizziness. The vertigo may be intensified by excitement or overexertion, with usually a tendency to faint. The complaints may also be associated with visual disturbances and a feeling of weakness. There is a general sensitivity to external stimuli such as light, noise, and touch.

Chininum sulphuricum

Common name: Quinine sulphate

Chininum sulph. is indicated for vertigo caused by Meniere’s disease. The person suffers from hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo. The noises can be buzzing, ringing, or roaring in nature, varying for different individuals. The person has difficulty standing and frequently falls. The complaints of vertigo worsen on stooping and they are acocmpanied by a headache.

Belladonna

Common name: Deadly nightshade

Belladonna is recommended for vertigo that occurs along with headaches. The vertigo is caused by any change in position and is associated with a sensation of falling to the left side or backwards. There is often a congestive headache with pressure on the vertex and forehead. The slightest motion or exertion aggravates the headache and it only improves by applying a tight bandage around the head.

Gelsemium

Common name: Yellow jasmine

Gelsemium is effective for vertigo which causes loss of balance. The person experiences great dullness, dizziness, and trembling. It makes walking difficult, causing a staggering gait. Vertigo is associated with double vision and contraction or twitching of eye muscles. The vertigo gets worse from walking and is relieved by lying down.

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Causative factors for vertigo

Vertigo is most often caused by dysfunction in the vestibular system caused by a peripheral or central lesion. Peripheral vertigo arises due to a problem in the inner ear or vestibular nerve, which controls balance. Central vertigo occurs as a result of a problem in the brain.

Peripheral vertigo

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) results from calcium deposits in the posterior semicircular canal and causes frequent attacks of vertigo lasting for a few minutes or less.

Meniere’s disease often causes hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo due to the increased volume of endolymph in the semicircular canals. The vertigo can last up to several hours.

Viral infections of the vestibular nerve can cause vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis, which causes constant vertigo. Another viral-induced cause of vertigo is herpes zoster oticus, also known as Ramsay Hunt syndrome, which causes inflammation of the vestibulocochlear nerve.

Central vertigo

Ischemic or hemorrhagic strokes, particularly involving the cerebellum or vertebrobasilar system, can be life-threatening and should be ruled out by medical history. The brain tumor can lead to sensorineural hearing loss and vertigo that can last up to minutes or hours.

There are several other symptoms accompanied, such as migraine, photophobia, and headaches. Vestibular migraines are a common central cause of vertigo and can last up to minutes to hours. They are characterized by unilateral headaches with other symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and photophobia. Vertigo is a common symptom post traumatic injury to the head or neck, mainly if there is damage to the vestibular system. It can also occur with the development of demyelinating plaques in the vestibular pathways in patients with multiple sclerosis. Certain anticonvulsant medications can cause vertigo, along with dizziness, hearing loss, and ringing in ears or tinnitus.

Signs and symptoms of vertigo

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Balance issues
  • Motion sickness
  • Hearing loss
  • Tinnitus
  • Nystagmus (uncontrolled, repetitive eye movements)

Treatment of vertigo

Your healthcare provider carries out a physical examination to evaluate the underlying cause of vertigo. They may also recommend a few tests to confirm your diagnosis. Treating vertigo depends on the etiology to improve its symptoms. Medications may be helpful in acute episodes of vestibular symptoms. Additional non-pharmacological treatments with permanent unilateral or bilateral vestibular dysfunction include physical therapy with vestibular rehabilitation that might help to maintain balance.

Diet and lifestyle modification for vertigo

  • Improve your water intake and maintain adequate electrolyte balance.
  • Boost your vitamin B12 intake as it helps maintain neurological health.
  • Manage stress effectively, as stress can interfere with disturbed sleep, leading to vertigo.
  • Avoid jerky movements and change each position slowly.
  • Sit down as soon as you feel dizzy.
  • Rest in a dark, quiet room to reduce episodes of vertigo.
  • Squat down instead of bending when picking things up.

Conclusion

Vertigo can come up suddenly without any warning. The episode may last up to a few seconds to hours sometimes. Some people ignore the episodes without addressing them. If you suffer from severe or frequent vertigo, discuss with your healthcare provider about ways to manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. There could be underlying health conditions causing your symptoms of vertigo. Homeopathic medicines are prescribed based on individual symptoms to provide symptomatic relief.

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