Vertigo is a condition that is commonly confused with a fear of heights. The National Health Service of the United Kingdom reports that vertigo is the sensation that objects are spinning around you, and it is usually caused by inner ear problems that affect your balance. Nutritional therapy for this condition involves the use of certain nutritional supplements. Meet with your doctor to discuss the merits and drawbacks of nutritional supplements for this health problem.
About BPPV
Benign paraoxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV, is one of the most common types of vertigo, notes MayoClinic.com. If you develop BPPV, you may experience brief bouts of dizziness that range in severity from mild to severe. BPPV symptoms are usually brought on by postural changes, especially flexing and extending your neck, lying down, turning over or sitting up while in bed. Other common symptoms associated with BPPV include lightheadedness, unsteadiness, balance problems, nausea and vomiting.
Appropriate Nutritional Supplements
Nutritional therapies, especially nutritional supplements, may help treat the signs and symptoms associated with your vertigo, although some of these supplements may require more scientific research to determine their true health benefits. According to certified nutritional consultant Phyllis A. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," helpful nutritional supplements for this condition may include dimethylglycine, vitamin B complex, vitamin E, vitamin C, lecithin, inositol, choline, coenzyme Q10, zinc, vitamin A, melatonin, kelp, ginger, ginkgo and brewer's yeast.
Featured Nutritional Supplement
Melatonin, a naturally occurring hormone that helps to regulate certain biological processes, may be a frequently prescribed nutritional aid or supplement in the treatment of vertigo. Melatonin helps you maintain equilibrium, or equilibrioception -- your sense of balance. According to naturopathic physician Joseph E. Pizzorno Jr., author of "The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine," melatonin may also play a role in treating cataracts, depression, HIV/AIDS, insomnia and seasonal affective disorder.
Warning
Vertigo is an often bothersome condition that requires the assistance of a qualified health-care professional. Vertigo is a condition that may respond to nutritional therapies, including nutritional supplements, but you should always ask your physician about procedures, risks and alternative treatment methods before using nutritional supplements to help treat your vertigo. The use of nutritional therapies in treating your vertigo does not guarantee a cure. Always be judicious in your use of nutritional supplements.
References
- National Health Service: Vertigo
- MayoClinic.com: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2010
- "The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine"; Joseph E. Pizzorno, Jr., N.D.; 2002
