Vertigo~ 7 Secrets to Relieve it!
If you are personally familiar with vertigo, you know it is not a welcomed presence. I will share with you a handful of ways I have been able to help ease vertigo in my clients. Please realize, I am not claiming to have cured anyone of vertigo. It seems to be a sneaky condition that can go away and return unexpectedly and unannounced. I am simply sharing some methods that have brought relief to the symptoms of vertigo. First, we need to cover the basics of what vertigo is and why it occurs.
What Causes Vertigo?
While vertigo is usually brought on by changing the position of your head, there are also normally underlying causes contributing to the condition.
Potential causes for vertigo include:
- A sudden drop in blood pressure
- High amounts of stress causing you to miss sleep
- Being dehydrated
Each of these can cause changes in the ears that make you feel off-balance, dizzy and shaky, especially when you stand up suddenly or move around. It is more common in people over 50 and twice as common in women than men. (We women say, "unfair!")
Vertigo is classified into different categories, depending on the underlying cause of ear damage. Researchers know that vertigo can be the result of more than one type of ear problem — including chronic ear infections or inflammation.
Main types of vertigo include:
BPPV
Meniere’s Disease
Vestibular neuritis (also called labyrinthitis)
* Let's look into each type, with descriptions of each based on the Mayo Clinic's website.
BPPV:
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is the leading cause of vertigo that results in inner-ear problems that lead to dizziness. Its symptoms include repeated episodes of positional vertigo and spinning sensations caused by changes in the position of the head. The underlying cause of BPPV is a dislodging of calcium crystals (aka ear rocks) within the ear which lie in the part of the ear called the labyrinth. Ear rocks affect the vestibular system, which includes three loop-shaped structures that contain fluid and fine, hair-like sensors that monitor movements of your head. Ear rocks can become dislodged from their correct position within the part of the ear called the utricle, then migrate into where they don’t belong. This creates trouble with balance and orientation. Very small openings within the inner ear hold fluid that moves through tiny canals, sending messages about how you’re positioned relative to the earth, which is what normally keeps you balanced. When the position of the head is moved, it becomes disoriented, causing fluids to move. Movement of the head, especially when forceful or sudden, can shift the position of ear rocks and cause abnormal fluid (endolymph) accumulation. Ear rocks can then stimulate sensitive nerve hairs in the ears and send false signals to the brain. Vertigo caused by BPPV can be brought on by any type of action that changes how the head is positioned: tilting the head to one side, rolling over onto one side while sleeping, looking up or down, car accidents that cause fast jerks in the head, and exercising. I'd also include atmospheric pressure changes (i.e. flying or head underwater).
Meniere’s Disease:
This is a rare and serious inner-ear disorder that develops after fluid accumulates in the inner ear abnormally, causing pressure levels to change within the ear. Along with the other common symptoms of vertigo like dizziness, Meniere’s Disease can cause ringing in the ears (tinnitus) or even hearing loss. This type of vertigo is sub-classified depending on which semicircular canal in the ear is affected since the fluid in the posterior canal and the lateral canal can both be the cause. It’s rarer than BPPV.
Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis:
Vestibular neuritis vertigo is caused by ear infections or viruses that attack the inner ear. Chronic infections within the ear contribute to inflammation, which damages nerves that are responsible for communicating with the brain/body about balance and orientation. Vertigo can sometimes be triggered by events, such as:
head or neck injuries (which usually require surgery to fix the inner ear), a stroke or brain tumor, damage within the ears caused by medications, or migraines.
✮ 7 secrets for how to relieve vertigo:
Physical therapy and/or yoga integration. Practice yoga poses close to a wall for stability and/or use a chair with balancing postures. In forward-bending poses, make sure to stand or sit up slowly, as to not create dizziness.
Chiropractic care, alignment, and head maneuvers. This certainly is not a one size fits all modality. It has been effective more me in the past, but others may find the techniques jarring and possibly even agitating to vertigo symptoms.
Hydrate! Believe it or not, dehydration can induce vertigo.
Target inflammation, especially if an earache is involved! Do this in 3 simple ways: Omit sugar from your diet, take ibuprofen daily until the inflammation eases (follow bottle's guidelines or consult with a pharmacist), and use a warm compress to help release the possible infection build-up and pressure. You can also take a natural anti-inflammatory such as organic turmeric if ibuprofen is not kind to you. Also, do not consume artificial sweeteners- they are damaging to nerve communications, which can make vertigo worse!
Reduce stress and get enough rest. You know yourself best- get rid of distress! I want to add-on managing blood pressure to this point. In my experience, at least 50% of my clients with hypertension have this condition due to poor management of chronic life stressors, which often results in a cycle of anxiety, worry and sometimes depression. The second root cause of hypertension I'd wager to be a poor/toxic diet (high sodium, deep-fried, trans fat, sugar-laden, processed foods).
Ear candling. Be sure to fully read directions and watch tutorials on it first. There is an art to ear candling, whether you believe in it or not. Wally's Ear Candles are a popular brand. https://bit.ly/3a4Lu3s
Diffuse essential oils and/or apply Ear Oil (1 to 2 drops in the ear). Ear Oil blends vary, but most contain a combination of garlic, vitamin E, calendula, mullein, olive oil, willow bark, and sometimes chamomile and lavender. Ear Oil is most effective when one has an ear infection. You can also apply oils to the neck area, and behind the ears for effectiveness. I like the gentle, Herbs For Kids Willow and Garlic Ear Oil Drops https://bit.ly/37R90Pg
May you be balanced!
In Grace,
Cara
* Disclaimer: This is for your educational purposes only. Use only as a guide. Please be consult with your medical care provider if you have vertigo or vertigo like-symptoms.