Vertigo can make you feel like you are spinning or whirling. It can lead to nausea and vomiting and is extremely uncomfortable. If you experience vertigo, see your doctor to determine the cause. Depending on the source of your vertigo, dietary changes might help control it..
Vertigo Explained
Vertigo is the illusion of motion that you feel and cannot control. It is different from dizziness and imbalance in that it affects the nerves of the inner ear or part of the brain, according to "American Family Physician." There are many reasons you may experience vertigo, including head trauma, Meniere's disease, migraine headaches, stroke, tumors and some medications. Meniere's disease vertigo and migraine vertigo may respond to diet modification.
Meniere's Disease Explained
Meniere's disease is a condition of the inner ear that causes fullness, pressure and ringing in the ear, or tinnitus. Hearing loss is also common with the disease. Fluid builds up in the ear's endolymphatic chamber, which is separated from the perilymphatic chamber by a thin membrane. As the pressure builds, you have the fullness and ringing in your ears. The vertigo comes when the membrane bursts and the fluids mix together, according to the University of Minnesota. Once the membrane heals, then the symptoms go away.
Diet for Meniere's Disease Vertigo
The purpose of diet in Meniere's disease is to restrict sodium and keep the fluid from accumulating in the inner ear. Patients who have Meniere's disease and suffer from vertigo attacks should restrict their sodium to 1,500 mg of sodium per day, according to Loyola University Health System. You should stay away from processed foods and eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. Other triggers for Meniere's include chocolate, caffeine and alcohol. Some patients have identified their own triggers, so it may benefit you to keep a journal of what triggers your symptoms.
Diet for Migraine Vertigo
There is a great deal of overlap between Meniere's patients and those who have migraine headaches, according to Loyola University Health System; up to 30 percent those who have Meniere's also have migraines. It may make sense to follow the sodium-restricted diet for vertigo. However, if you have vertiginous migraines, avoid aspartame, chocolate, caffeine and alcohol, according to "American Family Physician."
