June Russell's Health Facts

Be sure to get a correct diagnosis before you are treated.

A treatment possibility that is often performed by a doctor or physical therapist, can be performed by the patient at home. For details see: Canalith repositioning of Epley maneuver. {Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, etc., "Stop the Spinning" Woman's Day, July 16, 1996}

Vertigo that is not benign positional vertigo (BPV):

1. Meniere's disease:  BVP sufferers are often mistakenly diagnosed with Meniere's, which occurs when a buildup of ear fluid creates pressure that interferes with inner ear workings. This causes not just vertigo, but also hearing loss, a feeling of fullness, and ringing, buzzing or roaring noises in the ear. The problem usually starts in one ear but may spread to both.



2. Labyrinthitis:  An ear infection or inflammation that damages the inner-ear structure, causing a feeling of constant imbalance, with mild to severe vertigo and possible hearing loss. The problems usually go away when the infection does.



3. Perilymph fistula:  An abnormal opening in the ear that leaks fluid. It can be caused by flying in a no pressured plane, scuba diving, whiplash or a blow to the head. Symptoms include ringing in the ear, hearing loss, headaches, and coordination/gait problems.

Vertigo

Vertigo, the sense of whirling or irregular motion of you or your environment, is often described as dizziness. One type of vertigo that you only notice when you move your head is common and usually the result of a minor problem with the balance mechanism of the inner ear. This type of vertigo can be due to a number of things, including the use of alcohol or other drugs, infection, or causes that cannot be readily identified. Vertigo that is associated with simultaneous ringing in the ears and decreased hearing suggests the possibility of another type of inner ear problem called Meniere's disease. More serious problems such as brain tumors, strokes or other abnormalities f the nervous system can also cause vertigo. In summary, then, if your symptoms appear only when you take a particular medication or alcohol, you really don't need a doctor to figure out the proper treatment. Most other causes of dizziness should be investigated more thoroughly with the assistance of your family doctor. The specific cause of your symptoms may even require a physician who specializes in disorders of the ears, nose and throat (otorhinolaryngologist) or of the nervous system (neurologist).
{"Even short 'dizzy spells' can signal serious disease," Family Medicine Column, John C. Wolf, DO, Feb. 2004}

Does vertigo mean the same as dizzy? Vertigo is a term reserved for a sense of motion, when the body is really at rest. Most often, vertigo is experienced as a spinning sensation like that experienced after getting off of a merry-go-round. Linear motion or a rocking motion are also described. Dizziness is one of the most common reasons for visits to the doctor (~10%), this symptom is probably one of the most vague. When not permitted to use the words dizzy to describe their sensation, patients will describe feelings such as lightheadedness (as though about to faint), giddiness, depersonalization (the feeling they are outside their body) or a sense of turning, spinning or rocking. Sometimes it is a sensation inside the head and other times related to problems with balance.

When the symptoms are described using words like "woozy," "about to black out," "tunnel vision," or "lightheaded." This is almost always due to insufficient blood flow to the brain and almost always due to insufficient blood flow to the brain. This kind of dizziness is experienced frequently by healthy individuals who rise quickly from a chair, often after a meal, and have a few seconds of disorientation.

Another kind of dizziness is related to various physiological conditions associated with anxiety. Over breathing (hyperventilation) can cause lightheadedness and a sense of unsteadiness, as well as a tingling around the mouth and fingertips. This can be relieved by breathing in and out of a paper bag to increase the levels of carbon dioxide in the blood.
{"Vestibular - Fequently Asked Questions" School of Medicine, Research and Training Center for Hearing and Balance, bme.jhu.edu - Feb. 2004}

Over 90 million Americans, age 17 and older, have experienced a dizziness or balance problem. It affects an estimated 64 people in every 100,000. A video showing the maneuvers to alleviate this condition can be found on Neurology.org.
{"How to treat vertigo at home" Mercola.com, July 2004}

Alcohol - Vertigo / Dizziness

Even light drinking (of alcohol) can interfere with your vestibular system, which manages your sense of balance.
{"Seasickness" Washington Post Health, Aug. 20, 2002)

Scientists have recently discovered that alcohol is absorbed into the fluid of the inner ear and stays there after it has gone from the blood and brain. Since the inner ear monitors balance, the presence of alcohol can be responsible for incorrect balance information and possibly spatial disorientation. The presence of alcohol in the blood interferes with the normal use of oxygen by the tissues (histotoxic hypoxia).

Because of the reduced pressure at high altitudes and the reduced ability of the hemoglobin to absorb oxygen, the effect of alcohol in the blood, during flight at high altitudes, is much more pronounced than at sea level. The effects of one drink are magnified two to three times over the effects the same drink would have at sea level, and wears off very slowly.
{"All Star Network," Aeronautics Learning Laboratory for Science, Technology, and Research, Canada - Feb. 2004}

Lightheadedness can be caused by the use of alcohol or other recreational drugs/prescription drugs. Dizziness is more common among older adults, and a fear of dizziness can cause older adults to limit their physical and social activities. Dizziness can lead to falls and other injuries. Vertigo can include sensations of falling or tilting. Nausea and vomiting symptoms often accompany more severe episodes of vertigo.
{"Dizziness: lightheadedness and vertigo" St. Luke's Hospital in Boise, Idaho. yourhealth.stlukesonline.org, Feb. 2004}

Doctors recommend avoiding alcohol for those who have vertigo.
{"Vertigo" Pharmacy & Health: Health Guide, Fry's and Fry's Marketplace, FryFood.com, The Kroger Company, Feb. 2004}

Vertigo can be caused by a variety of drugs including aspirin, antibiotics, caffeine, alcohol, drugs to treat high blood pressure, tranquilizers, sedatives and many others.
{"Balance disorders: dizziness and vertigo" CARITAS Health Services, Feb. 2004}

Alcohol is a risk factor for Meniere's disease.
{"How Meniere's Disease is Diagnosed" Menieres-Disease.ca, Feb. 2004} {Health.allrefer.com}

Treatments: Non-Drug + Lifestyle changes.

Lifestyle changes can help. Although vertigo is usually transient in nature, certain modifications in daily activities may be temporarily necessary to cope with its debilitating aspects. Some suggestions are:

• Use two or more pillows at night.



• Avoid sleeping on the affected side.



• In the morning, get up slowly and sit on the edge of the bed for a minute.



• Avoid bending down to pick up items and extending the head such as to get items from a cabinet.



• Be careful when at a dentist's office or when participating in sports activities or any other activities in which you are lying flat on your back.



• Low salt diet.
  {Lef.org - Life Extension, Feb. 2004}

Balance Disorders

Balance disorders affect one out of three people during their lives. Jonathan Spindel, PhD, director of the Vestibular and Balance Center for the University of Virginia Health System, tells us that balance disorders are seldom life threatening, but can be life-altering. If you are feeling unbalanced and dizzy, it can be very difficult to work, take care of yourself or your family and go about your daily activities.

The balance system is complex, but treatment for balance disorders is often simple, and usually does not involve either medication or surgery. Often, home-based exercise, such as is similar to an athlete's training to enhance balance and coordination, can provide the brain with the required signals for readjustment. This can often be done in one single office visit. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BBPV) is a condition in which people have brief sensations of moderate to severe vertigo (spinning sensations) when they move their head in certain ways, such as when lying down. BBVP is caused by loose calcium carbonate crystals in the inner ear. These crystals normally sit on nerve cells in the inner ear and allow the nerves to sense gravity, helping you to feel changes in position. If someone has BBVP, some of the crystals have come loose because of illness or injury. The loose crystals fall into the semicircular canal, the part of the inner ear that helps you sense movement from side to side. The loose crystals in the semicircular canal cause the vertigo and dizziness. Getting the crystals out of the semicircular canal is simple, as it requires only that the patient's head be changed so that the crystals roll out of the canals. This ‘particle repositioning maneuver' takes only about 30 minutes and the relief is immediate.
{"Off balance? Dizzy? Center offers solutions," UVa Health Talk, Fall 1998}

The brain can be trained to compensate for the movement that triggers dizziness.

Lie on your back with your head hanging over the end of a couch or bed. Turn your head to the right. Hold for 20 seconds, even if you feel dizzy. Return your head to the center. Then turn your head to the left, and hold the position for 20 seconds. Perform this exercise three times during four daily sessions.
{"Don't put up with dizziness," Brian W. Blakley, MD, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Winnipeg in Winnepeg, Manitoba, Canada. He is the author of the book, 'Feeling Dizzy.'}

Non-Drug Alternative Treatments

Do further research on these at a later time: (These and many more mentioned)

Ginkgo biloba, Vinpocetine, Coenzyme Q-10, Piracetam.

A homeopathic remedy for vertigo (a false sensation of movement often caused by inner-ear problems) held its own against a conventional treatment in a recent study published in an American Medical Association journal. Vertigoheel was pitted against betahistine, the standard drug treatment in Europe for vertigo. The researchers found that both treatments significantly reduced the frequency, duration, and intensity of vertigo attacks during a six-week period. [*Because it makes claims to treat a medical condition, Vertigoheel is available only by prescription in the U.S.]
{"Homeopathy for dizziness" Archives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Aug. 1998} {Dr. Weil's Self Healing newsletter, October 1998}

Vertigoheel was found to be at least as effective as a conventional drug in the treatment of vertigo. What's more, it appeared to be a lot safer - and a lot cheaper - than most prescription or over-the-counter drugs. However, it requires a prescription. This can be gotten from a homeopathic physician or the same formula under a different name (by the German company), called "cocculus compositum," which is one of the key active ingredients. Cocculus is a homeopathic remedy for motion sickness, a complaint that doesn't require medical diagnosis or supervision, so it can, and is, sold over the counter. Homeopathic Educational Services (510-649-0294 or Homeopathic.com. The dose is two or three tablets under the tongue, three times a day.
{"Ask our experts," AltMedAdvisor.com, September 1999}

*Editor's comment: most health food/vitamin stores have many available homeopathic remedies available in different potencies. The store employees can usually advise you. Those who use homeopathic remedies need to be advised of suggestions on how to take it so it will be more likely to be effective, such as not eating 15-20 minutes before or after taking the remedy which should be taken under the tongue, and not drinking coffee.

Vestibular impairment can cause many symptoms, including dizziness imbalance, vertigo, nausea and fuzzy vision. It may be accompanied by hearing problems, fatigue, and changes in cognitive functioning.
{Martha Jefferson Hospital, HealthWise, Jan. 2004}

Good Sources for Further Information:

Vestibular Disorders Association
P.O. Box 13305
Portland, OR 97213