Treating Vertigo with Natural Supplements - Reduce Dizziness

Understanding Vertigo and Its Causes

Vertigo is the sensation of feeling dizzy or spinning when you are perfectly still or when you move your head. It can be an unsettling feeling that makes you lose your balance and coordination. Vertigo is caused by problems in the inner ear, brain, or sensory nerves that control balance and spatial orientation.

Common causes of vertigo include:

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) - caused by calcium carbonate crystals that have broken free and settled in the inner ear canals
• Vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis - infections or inflammation of the inner ear or nerves
• Meniere's disease - buildup of fluid pressure in the inner ear
• Vestibular migraine - vertigo caused by migraines
• Acoustic neuroma - non-cancerous tumor on hearing and balance nerves

Vertigo Can Significantly Impact Quality of Life

Experiencing vertigo episodes can take a major toll on your daily activities and quality of life. The spinning, swaying feeling makes it difficult to do anything while an episode is occurring. It can cause falls, impact your ability to drive or travel, and lead to nausea and vomiting.

Even between vertigo attacks, the worry over when another episode might hit can prevent you from wanting to go out and participate in activities. The lack of balance and falling risks may make you homebound.

Medical Treatments for Vertigo

Doctors can prescribe various medical treatments to help minimize vertigo episodes, including:

• Medications - such as antihistamines, anticholinergics, benzodiazepines
• Vestibular rehabilitation - physical therapy exercises to regain balance
• Canalith repositioning maneuvers - for BPPV, to reposition calcium crystals
• Surgery - only needed in serious cases that don't respond to other treatments

Supplements That May Aid in Vertigo Treatment

While prescription medications and therapy remain the gold standard vertigo treatments, certain supplements have shown potential benefits for reducing episodes.

Supplements may help address nutritional deficiencies, inflammation, blood flow, and other factors believed to be tied to vertigo causes like BPPV or Menieres disease.

Ginkgo Biloba for Vertigo Symptoms

Ginkgo biloba is an herbal supplement derived from the maidenhair tree. Some research indicates it may aid vestibular disorders like vertigo because it:

• Improves blood flow and circulation
• Reduces fluid buildup in inner ear
• Contains antioxidants that protect cells against damage

In an analysis of multiple studies, ginkgo biloba supplements were associated with an average 50% decrease in vertigo symptoms compared to control groups not taking the supplements.

Gingers Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Ginger root supplements may also hold promise for lessening vertigo episodes thanks to its natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Studies show ginger may help with:

• Reducing nausea and vomiting
• Increasing anti-inflammatory compounds
• Improving circulation and blood flow

The anti-inflammatory compounds in particular may aid labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis causes of vertigo occurring due to swollen inner ear nerves.

Vitamin Ds Impact on Dizziness

Many people dealing with chronic vertigo and balance problems have been found to have low vitamin D levels. Theres speculation vitamin D may help minimize episodes by:

• Preventing falls and improving muscle strength and coordination
• Reducing inflammation involved in diseases causing vertigo
• Regulating fluid balances, possibly benefiting Menieres disease

Older women in particular saw fewer reports of dizziness when taking 800-1000 IU vitamin D supplements in a study group over 3 years.

B-Complex Vitamins for Balance

The group of B-complex vitamins supports healthy nerve conduction and neurotransmitters. Low levels have been associated with balance disorders. Supplementing key B vitamins such as:

• Vitamin B12
• Thiamine
• Pyridoxine

May potentially help minimize vertigo episodes by ensuring healthy nerves for balance and motion control. Those with deficits of vitamin B12 and thiamine have seen decreased vertigo problems when levels were corrected.

Magnesiums Calming Effect

Magnesium is sometimes referred to as natures chill pill for its relaxing, calming effects throughout the body and brain. Studies show magnesium supplementation may help vertigo by:

• Preventing overstimulation of nerves
• Reducing anxiety
• Lowering inflammation
• Improving circulation and fluid balance

These mechanisms of action could mean fewer vertigo episodes, less nausea and anxiety during attacks, and faster recovery.

Are Vertigo Supplements Right for You?

Supplements should never take the place of doctor-prescribed vertigo treatment plans. But when used in combination with traditional medicine and therapy, supplements may aid in minimizing attacks.

Be sure to talk to your doctor before taking any supplements, especially if you take other medications. Supplements can interact with other drugs. Most vertigo supplements would be taken daily over the long term to maintain consistent beneficial effects.

Give supplements at least 2-3 months before judging effectiveness, barring any worsened side effects. Keeping a symptom journal can help determine if theyre helping decrease vertigo episodes and severity over time.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.