Do we feel dizzy or lightheaded? Are the things around us look as if they are going in circles? Do we feel as if we are spinning or whirling whenever we make a move? Are we having problems with our balance? If yes, then we are probably experiencing vertigo. But what is vertigo? Vertigo is defined as the sensation of spinning or moving that happens when a person’s balanced is disturbed. This is also a perception that the surroundings are moving. Vertigo however is classified as a type of symptom and not a disease or a disorder. Vertigo is also associated with dizziness, faintness, unsteadiness and even disorientation. Fortunately, there are still some things that we can use or do in order to prevent and/or treat this awful condition. These things include the different natural remedies for vertigo, which will be tackled later on in this article.
What is Vertigo?
There are actually two kinds of vertigo namely the subjective vertigo and the objective vertigo. The former is the condition wherein the person is the one perceived to be moving. The latter, on the other hand, relates the movement to the surrounding. Episodes of vertigo are usually not harmful; however, if the symptoms still persist, then it is already necessary to seek for medical attention. Most of the symptoms of vertigo may either be constant or episodic and can occur from minutes to hours. Other severe cases could even last for weeks or even months.
The common signs and symptoms of vertigo includes nausea, vomiting, constant sensation of motion, disorientation, dizziness, tinnitus, vomiting, involuntary eye movements and as well as sweating. Aside from these, patients that suffer from vertigo could also experience ringing sensation in their ears, hearing loss, difficulty in walking and speaking, decrease LOC or level of consciousness, weakness of the limbs and as well as visual disturbances (double vision).
Common Causes of Vertigo
Vertigo can actually be caused by many factors. Some of these factors include conditions such as the following:
• Problems in the inner ear fluid balance
• Presence of Meniere’s disease – This condition follows extreme fatigue and/or exhaustion.
• Benign Paroxysmal Positional vertigo or otherwise known as BPPV – this occurs as a result of damage to the inner ears. It is considered the most common cause of vertigo and can be accompanied by other symptoms such as hearing loss, facial muscle weakness and decreased cognitive function.
• Cerebellar hemorrhages – a type of bleeding that usually occurs at the back of the brain. This can cause vertigo and problems in walking. This can also produce headaches and visual impairments.
• Acoustic neuroma – this is a type of tumor that can cause vertigo and other symptoms like hearing loss and one sided tinnitus or ringing of the ears.
• Ear infection or inflammation
• Multiple sclerosis
• Trauma and/or injury at the head or neck
There are also other factors that can aggravate or worsen vertigo. These factors include the following:
• Menopause
• Motion sickness especially during travelling (road trips, long flights, sea travels)
• Altitude sickness or Acute Mountain Sickness
• Migraines
• Certain types of massages
Effective Natural Remedies for Vertigo
The treatment for vertigo actually depends on the cause as well as the severity of the condition. A very common form of treatment for this kind of condition is known as the vestibular rehabilitation exercises. These particular exercises involve laying the body on the table on one side until vertigo subsides and switching to the other side until the vertigo is completely gone. Some people also use medications such as Benadryl of Valium in order to relieve vertigo. However, if the vertigo is caused by an infection (bacteria) in the ear, then it can be treated with antibiotics in order to ease up the symptoms. Other forms of severe vertigo can also be subjected to surgery.
Aside from these things, massage therapy can also be used in order to relieve vertigo. Massage can be done all over the body; however, most people find relief when the massage is concentrated on the head area. Some herbal remedies that contain homeopathic ingredients can also be taken in order to cure the first signs of vertigo. These are also safe to use for all people regardless of their age. Some of the common examples of homeopathic ingredients include cocculus indicus, Lobelia inflate and the Gelsemium. These are effective against dizziness, weakness, fatigue, headaches and emotional upsets. Flower essence is also considered useful in people who are suffering from vertigo since they are fast to effect and can be absorbed immediately by the system. Others can also try including ginger in their diet since ginger is an herb that is already used in many centuries for its positive anti nausea properties. This can also be used in treating seasickness and queasy stomach.
These are just some of the common natural remedies that we can use against vertigo. The effectiveness of these things may vary depending on the severity as well as the present condition of the person.
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