STEADYING THE DIZZY BRAIN

The sensation of dizziness has several forms.  Many complain of feeling like they are spinning around.  This can be a momentary feeling, or it may be persistent for many seconds or longer.  Perceiving that the room is moving can be an alternate manifestation of the same pathology.  Imbalance is another frequently offered symptom.  Lightheadedness may be an additional description by some patients.

Each of these presentations can represent the same problem.  The most common etiology is an inner ear dysfunction, most often caused by precipitates in the semicircular canals.  Neurological and spinal cord injury or deterioration are also possibilities.  Anyone with acute onset, worsening, or persistence of any of these symptoms should consult a physician.

Adequate hydration lessens dizziness in many. The problem is that we do not usually recognize a fluid deficit. It occurs much more commonly than acknowledged. Certainly some extra water for a few days is a worthy trial when mildly dizzy. Hot, cold, dry, humid,and windy conditions can dehydrate. The list of maladies that contribute to inadequate hydration is long.

Obstruction of the ear canal by a foreign body is a treatable cause.  Earwax is a frequent culprit.  If hard or impacted, your doctor may be able to remove it by irrigation or suction.  I advise against trying to do this yourself.  But once the canal is cleared and you have been assured all is well inside, there are steps you can take to prevent recurrence.  Once you know that the tympanic membrane (ear drum) is whole and intact, you can irrigate daily to clear the wax before it builds up.  Using a bulb syringe is fine.  If you are in the habit of taking a daily shower, point the water stream into your ear for about 2 seconds.  The cerumen will never have the opportunity to establish itself and cause mischief.  Neither technique should cause even minimal pain.  If you preventively irrigate your ear regularly, be sure to ask your doctor to examine the ear twice a year.

Another preventive approach is to soak the ear with peroxide.  Soak EARS with hydrogen peroxide (3% H2-O2). Lie on your left side with a towel handy nearby. Have someone pour a half capful of peroxide into the right ear. Let sit for 1 minute. If it bubbles, then there is wax present. This wax will dissolve into the peroxide. Let the liquid sit for a total of 3 minutes. Turn over and drain into the towel by gravity. Do not stick anything into the ear. Then repeat this process over and over again until there is no bubbling. Do this with both ears. Once cleared, soaking with peroxide every 2-4 weeks will prevent buildup of wax. 

Dizziness also occurs when the fluid in the inner ear canals does not flow freely.  These structures act like a gyroscope to maintain balance.  When movement of this fluid is impaired or blocked, a person can feel dizzy with any movement.  An exercise, called the Epley Maneuver, is used to move a tiny crystal that is lodged in this passageway.  Physical therapists teach several variations of this exercise.  You can also find videos and descriptive lessons online.  The following is a basic approach useful for most people:

Do this if the problem is with your right ear:

• Sit upright on a bed.
• Turn your head 45 degrees to the right.
• Quickly lie back, keeping your head turned. Your shoulders should now be on the pillow, and your head should be reclined. Hold 30 seconds.
• Turn your head 90 degrees to the left, without raising it. Your head will now be looking 45 degrees to the left. Hold this position another 30 seconds.
• Turn your head and body another 90 degrees to the left.  Your face will be looking into the bed. Wait 30 seconds.
• Sit up on the left side.

If the problem is with your left ear:

• Sit upright on a bed.
• Turn your head 45 degrees to the left.
• Quickly lie back, keeping your head turned. Your shoulders should now be on the pillow, and your head should be reclined. Hold this position for 30 seconds.
• Turn your head 90 degrees to the right, without raising it. Your head will now be looking 45 degrees to the right.  Hold another 30 seconds.
• Turn your head and body another 90 degrees to the right.  You will be looking at the bed. Wait 30 seconds.
• Sit up on the right side.

It may be difficult to know which ear is the culprit.  It won’t hurt and will likely help to do this exercise in both directions.

If you keep getting attacks of this problem, you should employ the Epley Maneuver (right and left) daily as prevention.

Dizziness of any cause is an expression of malfunctioning tissue.  At least part of the problem arises from micronutrient deficiency.  Cellular levels of vitamins and minerals become depleted because of time, stress, and illness. This leads to symptoms and disease. 

Whether due to semicircular canal sludge, cranial nerve impairment, or central nervous system disease, dizziness warns of cellular inadequacy.  The dyshealth behind the deterioration is rooted in several pathologic processes.  An important one is nutritional.  Anxiety, injury, aging, and dietary insufficiencies are significant causes of micronutrient insufficiencies that lead to illness.

Taking a comprehensive multivitamin/multimineral supplement over many years reduces the risk of dizziness.  I recommend a supplement that states [on the package]: “6 pills a day is the correct dose.”  Do not take 6 of a one-a-day vitamin. That can lead to toxicity.  Large doses of these compounds are needed to maintain the integrity of the cells.

It will still help to initiate this therapy after you become aware of dizziness.  

In addition to the vitamin/mineral supplement, taking 1,000 mg. a day of inositol (a B-vitamin cofactor) helps dizziness to heal quicker.

Avoiding cigarettes, alcohol, and caffeine has been beneficial for many people for treating and preventing this disorder.  High intake of refined sugar aggravates dizziness in many.

Many medicines cause dizziness.  Always consult with your physician if you have a new onset of this or other symptoms before embarking on your own treatment program.