About us | Treatment of dizziness, balance disorders, dizziness (2023)

FAQs

How do you treat dizziness and balance? ›

Sit or lie down immediately when you feel dizzy. Lie still with your eyes closed in a darkened room if you're experiencing a severe episode of vertigo. Avoid driving a car or operating heavy machinery if you experience frequent dizziness without warning. Avoid using caffeine, alcohol, salt and tobacco.

Acute vertigo is best treated with nonspecific medication such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine®) and meclizine (Bonine®). These medications are eventually weaned as they can prevent healing over the long-term, explains Dr. Fahey.

Anti-vertigo or anti-nausea medications may relieve your symptoms, but they can also make you drowsy. Other medications, such as gentamicin (an antibiotic) or corticosteroids may be used. Although gentamicin may reduce dizziness better than corticosteroids, it occasionally causes permanent hearing loss.

Dizziness has many possible causes, including inner ear disturbance, motion sickness and medication effects. Sometimes it's caused by an underlying health condition, such as poor circulation, infection or injury. The way dizziness makes you feel and your triggers provide clues for possible causes.

Losing your balance while walking, or feeling imbalanced, can result from: Vestibular problems. Abnormalities in your inner ear can cause a sensation of a floating or heavy head and unsteadiness in the dark. Nerve damage to your legs (peripheral neuropathy).

Vitamin D may improve muscle strength and function, as well as balance due to the improved strength.

Studies have found that vitamins can be useful in treating dizziness. For example, Vitamin C can reduce vertigo while Vitamin D can be helpful when it comes to circulation issues. If you are suffering dizziness as a result of anaemia taking iron supplements can help to correct this.

Blood Work A blood test can reveal problems that could be to blame for your dizziness complaints. Your doctor might check your blood cell count, thyroid function, blood sugar levels, electrolytes, and more. Allergy Tests Sometimes allergies are the culprit for vertigo symptoms.

Can dizziness be cured permanently? ›

Some kinds of vertigo can be completely cured. For example, if you're experiencing vertigo because you have an ear infection, it may be possible to prescribe antibiotics to eliminate the cause. However, some conditions that cause vertigo can't be cured so easily.

A balance disorder is a condition in which a person frequently feels dizzy or unbalanced while standing, sitting, or lying down and these symptoms continue over a period of time. Most often, balance problems that are not associated with a balance disorder go away on their own within 1-2 weeks.

Our neurologists and neurosurgeons diagnose and treat balance dysfunction that is the result of neurologic disorders or neurologic impairment. While the vast majority of balance problems are caused by problems with the inner ear, there may be neurological causes for balance disorders which require neurological care.

The vestibular system is one of the sensory systems that provides your brain with information about balance, motion, and the location of your head and body in relation to your surroundings. There are three loops in your inner ear, called semicircular canals. The first canal senses up-and-down movement.

Dizziness can describe several different sensations. Dizziness is an impairment of spatial orientation. A dizzy spell doesn't always indicate a life-threatening condition, but it can be unnerving. Dizziness can be associated with more serious conditions, such as a stroke or cardiovascular problems.

Dizziness can be a sign of a problem with your blood flow. Your brain needs a steady supply of oxygen-rich blood. Otherwise, you can become lightheaded and even faint. Some causes of low blood flow to the brain include blood clots, clogged arteries, heart failure, and an irregular heartbeat.

Dizziness (lightheadedness) is a common symptom that's not usually a sign of anything serious, but should be investigated by a doctor.

The cerebellum controls a number of functions including movement, speech, balance, and posture.

What is Balance Therapy? Balance therapy is also known as vestibular rehabilitation therapy. It uses exercises to help you improve symptoms of balance disorders and reduce your risk of falling.

What foods improve balance? ›

Low blood sugar levels may cause dizziness and loss of balance. Eat slow release, low GI foods such as nuts, dried fruit, wholegrain bread, wholegrain porridge oats, celery and peanut butter. Lean Protein can help to stabilise blood sugars, eat more: skinless chicken, fish, quinoa and barley.

Vitamin D deficiencies can also result in bone diseases such as rickets in children and osteomalacia and osteoporosis in adults. But you may not be aware that if you're not getting enough vitamin D, you may also suffer from dizziness, headaches, and yes, low energy and fatigue.

Left untreated, a vitamin B-12 deficiency can lead to anemia, fatigue, muscle weakness, intestinal problems, nerve damage and mood disturbances. The recommended daily amount of vitamin B-12 for adults is 2.4 micrograms.

Consider adding all three types of balance exercises (static, static + weight shifting, and dynamic) for well-rounded balance treatments.

Nearly any activity that keeps you on your feet and moving, such as walking, can help you maintain good balance.

B12 supplements are usually safe. For adults, doctors recommend 2.4 micrograms a day. If you take more than what you need, your body passes the rest out through your pee. Still, high doses could have some side effects, like dizziness, headache, anxiety, nausea, and vomiting.

Low Vitamin B12 Levels Can Cause Dizziness

Deficiencies in this essential vitamin may lead to a number of neurological problems, including feeling off-balance, and having low blood pressure and decreased blood flow to your brain, says Whitman.

Vitamin D and calcium supplements reduced vertigo recurrence after successful vestibular rehabilitation, especially among patients with subnormal vitamin D levels, a trial in Neurology reported.

There are two types of vertigo, peripheral and central vertigo. Peripheral vertigo is due to a problem in the part of the inner ear that controls balance. These areas are called the vestibular labyrinth, or semicircular canals.

Why do I need a brain scan for dizziness? ›

Imaging studies of the brain, and sometimes the cervical spine, are common in patients with Dizziness and Vertigo. The purpose of these studies is to identify a structural cause of dizziness such as a stroke, MS, tumor, or any number of a myriad of other disorders of the ear or central nervous system.

Dizziness can be classified into four main types: vertigo, disequilibrium, presyncope, or lightheadedness. Although appropriate history and physical examination usually leads to a diagnosis, the final cause of dizziness is not identified in up to one in five patients.

How long will the dizziness last? Depending on the cause, mild vertigo usually lasts no longer than 1 to 2 weeks. More severe vertigo can last several weeks. With Ménière's disease, the vertigo may come and go, or it might become an ongoing problem.

During the stress response, the brain releases hormones that affect the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. These hormones narrow the blood vessels, raise the heart rate, and cause rapid, shallow breathing. These responses can lead to dizziness or lightheadedness.

Certain conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, or problems with your vision, thyroid, nerves, or blood vessels can cause dizziness and other balance problems.

A healthy diet can help combat dizziness, which includes drinking plenty of fluids. Limit your use of caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco, as these substances can worsen the causes and symptoms of dizziness. Getting enough sleep and avoiding stress also helps prevent lightheadedness.

It's a good idea to include balance training along with physical activity and strength training in your regular activity. Nearly any activity that keeps you on your feet and moving, such as walking, can help you maintain good balance.

Lemon: Lemon is high in vitamin C and helps to boost your immune system and give the body fluids that help you maintain your energy. You can mix 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice with a pinch of ground black pepper in a cup of water. Add a little salt and drink 3 times daily until your dizziness improves.

Peppermint, ginger, lavender and lemon essential oils are bestowed with healing properties when inhaled through an infuser or diluted with a carrier oil can be applied topically on the neck, chest and temples to ease vertigo symptoms.

Can I take paracetamol for dizziness? ›

Dizziness can also be due to a viral ear infection, which interferes with balance. In this case, giving paracetamol to reduce any fever and drinking lots of fluids is usually all that's required.

How long will the dizziness last? Depending on the cause, mild vertigo usually lasts no longer than 1 to 2 weeks. More severe vertigo can last several weeks. With Ménière's disease, the vertigo may come and go, or it might become an ongoing problem.

A study suggests that a lack of vitamin D can worsen symptoms for people that have BPPV, the most common cause of vertigo. A glass of fortified milk or orange juice, canned tuna, and even egg yolks will all give your levels of vitamin D a boost.