Living with vertigo can be frustrating and even debilitating, with the potential of affecting your ability to perform daily activities and diminishing your overall quality of life. 

If you’ve ever felt dizzy or unbalanced, you’re not alone — about one in 15 people struggle with vertigo at some point. This number increases for those over 50 and highlights the importance of understanding and addressing this issue. Vertigo can disrupt your balance and coordination, making simple tasks such as walking or standing a challenge. Vertigo can also cause nausea, headaches, and fatigue, further impacting your ability to work, enjoy hobbies, or travel. 

Read on to learn more about effective treatment options for vertigo, including how seeing a hearing specialist in Santa Monica can help you regain stability and improve daily functioning.

What is Vertigo? 

Vertigo is characterized by a sensation of spinning or dizziness. An individual feels as though either they or their surroundings are moving when there is no actual movement. 

Vertigo can stem from several conditions, including:

  • Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): This is the most common cause of vertigo and occurs when tiny calcium particles clump up in the inner ear canals.
  • Meniere’s Disease: This inner ear disorder involves fluid build-up and can lead to vertigo attacks, hearing loss, and tinnitus.
  • Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: Inner ear infections can cause inflammation around the nerves, which is crucial for balance.
  • Migraine: Migrainous vertigo can occur with or without headache and is often associated with sensitivity to light and sound.
  • Head or Neck Injury: Trauma can disrupt the vestibular system in the inner ear, leading to vertigo.
  • Stroke or Tumors: These serious conditions can affect the areas in the brain responsible for balance.

Effective diagnosis and treatment are essential for managing vertigo and improving the quality of life for those affected.

Symptoms of Vertigo

Symptoms of vertigo can vary in severity and duration but typically include a distinct sensation of spinning or moving, even when one is stationary. This dizzying feeling is often accompanied by other common symptoms, including: 

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Difficulty maintaining balance and coordination 
  • Headaches
  • Sweating
  • Abnormal eye movements, known as nystagmus
  • A feeling of fullness in the ear
  • Ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus
  • Hearing loss

These symptoms can be intermittent or persistent, significantly impacting daily activities and overall well-being. Proper diagnosis and treatment — which may include a combination of several treatments — are important for managing these symptoms effectively. 

Diagnosing Vertigo

Diagnosis often involves a physical exam and medical history evaluation. This involves specific tests like:

  • Dix-Hallpike Maneuver: To identify BPPV.
  • Videonystagmography (VNG) or Electronystagmography (ENG): To detect abnormal eye movements.
  • MRI or CT Scans: To rule out serious conditions like tumors or stroke.

Seven Treatments for Vertigo

Managing vertigo usually involves a combination of lifestyle adjustments and specific treatments to alleviate symptoms and improve balance problems. Here are seven effective treatments for vertigo, some of which you can do on your own:

1. Staying Hydrated for Vertigo

Dehydration can exacerbate vertigo symptoms, making it crucial to maintain adequate fluid intake. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day, and more if it is hot or you are exercising, helps ensure proper blood flow and can reduce dizziness.

2. Stress Management for Vertigo

Stress and anxiety can trigger or worsen vertigo episodes. Techniques such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, and mindfulness can help manage stress levels and, in turn, reduce the frequency and severity of vertigo attacks.

3. Dietary Changes for Vertigo

Certain dietary changes are known to help manage vertigo symptoms. Reducing salt intake can prevent fluid retention in the inner ear while avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine, which can also minimize triggers. A balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains also supports hearing health and overall well-being.

4. Acupuncture for Vertigo

Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese practice, involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to promote healing and balance. Although more research is needed, some believe that acupuncture can help reduce vertigo symptoms by improving blood flow and relieving tension.

5. Foster Maneuver 

This maneuver is also called a half-somersault maneuver and involves a series of head and body movements designed to reposition the crystals in the inner ear that cause vertigo. Performing the Foster maneuver can provide relief by restoring balance and reducing dizziness.

6. Epley Maneuver

Similar to the Foster maneuver, the Epley maneuver consists of specific head movements to relocate dislodged crystals in the inner ear. This technique is often performed by a healthcare professional and can be highly effective in treating benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). 

7. Hearing Loss Treatment for Vertigo

Many cases of vertigo are associated with hearing loss, and addressing the underlying hearing issues can help alleviate vertigo symptoms. Hearing aids, cochlear implants, or other medical interventions may be recommended based on the severity of the hearing loss. Working with an audiologist who specializes in vertigo cases can help.

Treating Hearing-Related Vertigo

Vertigo often has a complex relationship with hearing issues, as the inner ear plays a crucial role in maintaining balance. When vertigo is linked to hearing problems, addressing the underlying auditory conditions can significantly alleviate vertigo symptoms. 

Some effective treatments for hearing-related vertigo include:

  • Hearing aids that amplify sound — making it easier to hear and reducing the strain on the inner ear. Improved hearing can help stabilize balance and reduce dizziness.
  • Cochlear Implants — Surgical devices that bypass damaged parts of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve, improving hearing and potentially reducing vertigo symptoms.
  • Certain medications can help manage both hearing loss and vertigo — such as diuretics to reduce fluid buildup in the inner ear and medications to treat infections or inflammation in the ear.
  • Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) — a specialized form of physical therapy designed to improve balance and reduce dizziness by performing exercises that help the brain compensate for inner ear problems. 
  • Addressing structural issues within the ear that contribute to vertigo — such as repair of a perilymph fistula, a tear or defect in the membranes separating the middle ear and inner ear.
  • Managing tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, through sound therapy, counseling, or medication. 

Treating hearing-related vertigo involves a comprehensive approach that addresses both the auditory and balance systems. By utilizing a combination of hearing aids, medical treatments, and specialized therapies, individuals can return to enjoying movement and living life to the fullest. 

Where to Find the Best Hearing Doctor for Vertigo in Santa Monica

Living with vertigo is incredibly challenging, but effective management and treatment can significantly improve your quality of life. Working with a top-rated audiologist familiar with treating vertigo is the key to an accurate diagnosis and successful treatment of underlying causes. 

Matt Michaels, MS, CCC-A, and the rest of our team of audiologists are dedicated to developing personalized treatment plans using the latest technology and evidence-based approaches to address your symptoms. Our commitment to comprehensive care ensures that you receive the most effective and comfortable solutions for managing vertigo, helping you regain stability and confidence in your daily life.

Ready to get fast and effective relief from the dizzying symptoms of vertigo with the  top-rated balance doctor in Santa Monica?