Treatment of Vertigo

Vertigo is defined as a severe form of dizziness that is a movement hallucination. To a person who is suffering from vertigo, it will appear that the room is spinning and there will also be a sense of movement in space.

Some of the symptoms seen in cases of vertigo are blurred vision, headache, inability to concentrate, increased risk of motion sickness, sweating, nausea, vomiting and reduced cognitive functions. Severe cases of vertigo can cause of a lot of distress which leads to irritability and loss of self esteem.

Treatment of Vertigo

The treatment of vertigo depend on the identifying the underlying cause. There may be a case that a particular medicine is causing vertigo. In such cases, reducing the dosage or stopping the medicine completely usually helps. But if the underlying cause is different, then the mode of treatment will vary.

Here are some common methods of treating vertigo.

Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy

This form of treatment is also known as VRT, this is a physical therapy that is used to treat Vertigo. The main aim of this form of treatment is to minimize dizziness, improve balance and prevent falls by restoring to the normal functions of the vestibular system. The exercises are designed to help the patient’s brain adapt to and compensate for the cause of the vertigo. With the help of these exercises, the brain is trained to use alternative visual and proprioceptive cues to help maintenance balance and gait. The success of this form of treatment depend various factors like the age of the patient, physical strength, overall health, coordination, motor skills and cognitive function that is ability to remember and follow orders. This therapy is designed by a physical therapist usually under the direction of a physician. Usually, the patients will have to meet with the therapist regular who provides customized exercises which the patient will have to perform regularly in their house. As the patient makes progress, the difficulty level of the exercises is increased till the patient achieves the highest level of balance during head movement, eye movement and walking.

Treatment of Vertigo Caused by Meniere Disease

This form of Vertigo can be treated by reducing the intake of salt intake in the diet and diuretic medications. Usually a course of antibiotics is also prescribed during the early stages to reduce the inflammation and stabilize the hearing. Antibiotics may be administered directly into the middle ear to treat severe cases of Meniere Disease.

Treatment of Vertigo Caused by Vascular Ischemia

If there is a sudden onset of vertigo along with additional neurological symptoms like diplopia, ataxia and weakness then the condition of vascular ischemia is a possibility. This condition is treated by treating the ischemic attack and preventing any future events by controlling the blood pressure, lowering cholesterol and inhibition of the platelet function.

Treatment of Vertigo Caused by Migraine Headaches

A strong association between the vertigo and migraine headaches has been established by epidemiologic evidence. One stream of research has established that treatments for migraine headaches were more effect in 90% of the cases with migraine associated vertigo. The main form of treatment used under these conditions includes major dietary changes along with elimination of chocolate, caffeine and alcohol. Certain lifestyle changes too have to be made which includes exercise, stress reduction and improvements is sleep patterns. Some form of medications may also be recommended.

Treatment for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

This form of vertigo is caused due to the deposit of calcium debris in the semicircular canals of the ear, usually the posterior canal. Medications are not preferred to treat this form of vertigo. To treat vertigo caused by this condition, head rotations maneuvers like the Epley maneuver and modified Epley maneuver are recommended that will help displace the free moving calcium deposits back to its original place in the vestibule.

Medications

Medications are very effective in treating acute forms of vertigo that last a few hours or a few days. However, medicines will be of little help in cases of paroxysmal vertigo as the episodes last for less than a minute. Medicines will be prescribed after diagnosing the cause of the vertigo.