If you are feeling any symptoms of dizziness or vertigo, it is normal that you would want to check it out. But you might also not know who the best would doctor for vertigo might be. Even though vertigo and dizziness are common among people of all ages, many people still do not understand its causes or how to treat them. Some people do not even realize that they are experiencing vertigo, and just let it pass and think that it was just dizziness.
Because we do not often seek treatment in such cases, we also do not know who the best doctor for vertigo is. Although, in this article, you can find everything you need to know about this emerging field.
What is Otoneurology?
Otoneurology is an area of otorhinolaryngology dedicated to the study of balance and hearing. Diseases in this area can cause symptoms such as dizziness, imbalance, hearing loss, and tinnitus.
When Should I See an Otoneurologist?
An otoneurologist is a medical specialist dedicated to evaluating, diagnosing, and treating pathologies that affect the inner ear. These conditions impair hearing and balance. The otoneurologist should always be sought in cases of imbalance, instability, dizziness, and vertigo, accompanied or not by hearing loss and tinnitus.
A specialized and thorough evaluation of the inner ear will be performed to elucidate the cause and origin of the symptoms so that a personalized and appropriate treatment can be carried out.
Alternative Treatment for Labyrinthitis
Labyrinthitis is an inflammation that affects the labyrinth region. The labyrinth is a structure of the inner ear consisting of the cochlea, responsible for hearing, and the vestibule and semicircular canals, responsible for the balance. This condition generally affects people in their 40s and 50s but can affect younger people, usually when associated with other medical conditions. Learn about the main symptoms of labyrinthitis below.
Symptoms of Labyrinthitis
Dizziness and vertigo are the main symptoms. Dizziness makes the patient feel that the environment is spinning around them or that they are spinning around the environment. Dizziness, on the other hand, accompanies symptoms of falling and imbalance.
Other symptoms of labyrinthitis that may be common are:
- Hearing loss or hyperacusis;
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever and malaise
- Gastrointestinal changes
- Headache and earache
- Sweating
Physical Exercises for Labyrinthitis
The clinical evaluation and otoneurological examination are indispensable for establishing the diagnosis and treatment of labyrinthitis. But what many people do not know is that physical exercise can help control the disease. In the past, the recommendation was that patients affected by labyrinthitis should rest, but the medical advice has changed radically and now physical activity is recommended together with a healthy and regular diet.
Find out now which are the most suitable physical activities for people who suffer from labyrinthitis:
Walk
Walking outdoors is recommended especially for those who are more sedentary. This physical activity tends to benefit the labyrinth, the central nervous system, and the entire body.
The probability of having some symptoms triggered during the activity is higher in sedentary people, but it is not very common. Walking in the street is gradually indicated even for recovery from labyrinthine crises.
Pilates
Pilates helps a lot in the treatment of labyrinthitis because it promotes the strengthening of the cervical region, stabilizing the muscles, and improving movements when practicing the exercises indicated for the disease.
In addition, Pilates works with balance, and motor coordination, and also helps prevent pain, irritation, and tension in patients.
Vestibular Rehabilitation
Vestibular rehabilitation (VB) is an old, non-invasive method practiced for the treatment of patients with labyrinthitis. It is based on specific, customized exercises that help restore balance to the labyrinth.This technique can be applied by physical and speech therapy professionals and should be individualized for each patient according to the origins of their symptoms.
Exercises to relieve dizziness/vertigo at home Here are some examples of a few exercises that you can do from the comfort of your house to ease the symptoms of dizziness and vertigo crises like those of eye pursuit, try one of these:
- Side-to-side head movement: Take a seat, and while holding an object of your choice with your right/left hand, you should place it in your face while stretching your arms. With your arm open to the side, you should use your head and eyes to follow the movement. You should do at least 10 repetitions for each side;
- Movement of the head up and down: sit and use one hand, hold your object of choice and position it ahead of you where your eyes can see with the arm stretched out. The next step is to perform an up and down movement 10 times at least, following the head movement;
- Eye movement to the sides: with one hand, grab an object and make sure that you place it where your eyes can see. After that, keep your head still while you carefully slide your arm to one side, and try to use your eyes for tracking the object. Do at least 10 repetitions for each side;
- Far and near eye movement: with an object in hand, you should stretch your arms ahead of your face, where your eyes can see. After that, start to bring the object closer and closer, still in position with your eyes, until it is only a palm away. Move the object closer and further away 10 times.
That physical activity provides quality of life and can keep you away from disease is nothing new. The speech therapist points out that keeping the body active helps to improve our body in general. “In the case of labyrinthitis, low-impact exercises that help strengthen the body and keep it active are recommended. Walking, biking, water aerobics, and dancing are some of the most recommended practices,” he concludes.
When to Take Medicine for Dizziness/Vertigo
The general practitioner, the neurologist, or the otorhinolaryngologist may indicate the taking of medicine for dizziness, according to its cause. People with labyrinthitis might be prescribed medications such as Cinnarizine, Meclizine Hydrochloride, Flunarizine, and others. For Meniere’s syndrome, some medications that reduce vertigo are Hydrochlorothiazide, Betahistine, and Dimenhydrate. The medication will not be needed when the patient suffers from benign paroxysmal vertigo.
