Vertigo can make everyday tasks such as standing, walking and moving very challenging. The type of treatment needed depends on the underlying cause, if one can be determined. While there are no specific foods that actually cause vertigo, making changes to your diet may help you manage your symptoms. However, the first step is to get properly diagnosed and to speak with your physician about any dietary changes you are considering.
Vertigo
Vertigo involves having the sensation that your surroundings are moving when they are not. It differs from general dizziness or lightheadedness. Having vertigo can make it difficult to maintain your balance and move around. There are many different types of vertigo, and the first step in treatment is to identify the type and any underlying causes. The most common causes are cold viruses, head trauma or Meniere's disease, according to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. The above conditions hinder the inner ear's ability to maintain a sense of balance.
Sodium
In some cases vertigo can be caused by a change in the level of fluid within the inner ear. If this is the case, then following a low-salt diet may help, suggests the Vestibular Disorders Association. Salt causes the body to retain fluid, and too much fluid in the ear may place pressure on the structures responsible for maintaining balance. In other cases vertigo may become worse when dehydrated. Thus, it is important to drink adequate amounts of water throughout the day. Your physician may also recommend limiting or eliminating alcohol, since consuming alcohol also changes the fluid balance within the ears. Each case is unique, and you will need to work with your health care provider to find the right dietary changes.
Trigger Foods
There is a type of vertigo called migraine-associated vertigo. While the exact link is not well understood, for some patients, when a migraine attack occurs, it triggers a vertigo attack as well. Some experience vertigo even when not having a migraine, while others experience vertigo right before or after the migraine attack. Just like with a migraine, migraine-associated vertigo may be triggered by certain foods such as chocolate, cheese, alcohol and foods containing MSG, reports the American Hearing Association. In some cases, eliminating these foods from the diet can help to control both the migraine and vertigo.
Other Treatments
Dietary changes alone may not be enough to control or prevent vertigo attacks. In some cases vertigo resolves on its own, while in other cases surgery to repair any inner ear damage or physical therapy to help restore balance is required. There are also medications that can suppress the activity of the structures in the ear and brain that are responsible for balance. Your physician will need to review your personal medical history to choose the right treatment approach.
