Prevention & Treatment Of Vertigo

Prevention

Infections in the inner ear are usually self-limiting. However, to prevent further damage to the ear, consult a doctor whenever signs of ear infections are present for prompt intervention.

To avoid vertigo, one must avoid serious injuries to the ear or head. Also, when symptoms of vertigo are present, ensure that precautions from injuries related to falls are made.

For risks involved with high cholesterol, diabetes, and hypertension, certain lifestyle changes maybe necessary such as quitting smoking, and reduction of fat and sugar in the diet.

For people with Meniere’s syndrome, limiting salt in the diet is necessary.

Treatment

There is a wide variety of choice for treatment of vertigo. However, it often presents as a symptoms rather than a disease that the key towards good prognosis is treatment of the underlying disorders. Usually, oral, intravenous or skin patch medications are prescribed specifically for vertigo including dipenhydramine (Benadyrl), meclizine hydrochloride (Antivert), scopolamine transdermal patch (Transderm-Scop), promethazine hydrochloride (Phenergan), and promethazine hydrochloride (Phenergan).

Specific treatments are targeted at the definite cause of vertigo including:

  • For inner ear infections caused by bacteria or virus, antibiotic medications (antibacterial and antiviral) are usually prescribed.
  • For patients with Meniere’s disease, low salt diet is often prescribed on top of symptomatic treatment. Medication to increase the urine output may also be indicated.
  • Referrals to and EENT doctor may be required for holes in the ear and recurrent ear infections.
  • For Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPVV), certain newer and advanced rehabilitative treatment may be necessary including:
    • Vestibular rehabilitation exercises, otherwise known as Epley’s maneuver, is a series of treatment where the patients lies down on the table on one side until vertigo subsides and repeating the same procedure on the other side. This is done until vertigo no longer occurs or has been resolved.
    • Particle repositioning maneuver is based on the notion that certain particles in the inner ear has been displaced. This method will reposition the head in order for the stones and particles to resume their normal position. It is repeated until abnormal eye movements have ceased.

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