What is the treatment for vertigo?

For individuals whose symptoms are infrequent, chronic medications may be too much. It may be best to treat the attacks as they occur. For those with more frequent attacks, diuretics can be useful. A person with vertigo may also be advised to follow a special diet. The hydrops diet focuses on limiting the intake of sodium and sugar. This diet also includes restrictions on excess intake of caffeine, alcohol, and monosodium glutamate (MSG). MSG is found in Chinese foods and some prepackaged foods. Destructive procedures are sometimes necessary for frequent, untreatable spells of vertigo. These procedures can take the form of surgery or medications. Surgery includes removal of the entire inner ear. This procedure can be helpful, particularly in individuals who have lost their hearing. In those who still have reasonable levels of hearing, the balance nerve can be cut. Certain antibiotics that are toxic to the ear can also be used. When placed in high doses behind the eardrum, they can destroy portions of the inner ear. A choice must be made between deafness and a certain amount of permanent imbalance.

More information on vertigo

What is vertigo? - Vertigo is a type of dizziness or a sensation of movement when none is actually occurring. The precise definition of vertigo is an illusion of motion.
What causes vertigo? - Vertigo tends to have a specific cause. Vertigo can be caused by decreased blood flow to the brain and base of the brain.
What're the symptoms of vertigo? - Symptoms of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) usually last a few seconds to a few minutes and are intermittent.
How is vertigo diagnosed? - The diagnosis of vertigo is made based on the description of what the person is feeling. Positional vertigo is diagnosed when moving the head causes the vertigo.
What's the treatment for vertigo? - Treatment of vertigo depends on the diagnosis. A complete medical evaluation is recommended for anyone with vertigo.
What's benign positional paroxysmal vertigo (BPPV)? - Benign positional paroxysmal vertigo (BPPV) is a disorder of the inner ear. BPPV is the commonest form of vertigo.
What is dizziness? - Dizziness is a term often used to describe different symptoms. It can be a feeling of being unsteady or woozy.
What types of dizziness are there? - Types of dizziness include vertigo, dysequilibrium, labyrinthitis, eniere's disease, light-headedness.
What causes dizziness? - There are many causes of dizziness. Dizziness can be caused by tiredness, stress, fever, low blood sugar, anemia, head injury, heart or circulation problems.
What're the symptoms of dizziness? - Dizziness is a common symptom of balance disorders. Visual symptoms include poor depth perception, blurred or double vision, glare.
How is dizziness diagnosed? - Diagnosing the cause of dizziness starts with a medical history and physical exam. This may be all that is needed to figure out the cause.
What's the treatment for dizziness? - The treatment for dizziness will depend on the cause of dizziness. Homeopathic therapies can work very effectively for dizziness.
How to prevent dizziness? - Most people learn through experience that certain activities will make them dizzy and they learn to avoid them.