Gentle Healing Methods for PPPD and Other Vestibular Issues

When a person experiences problems with balance, it greatly affects life. Issues like difficulty focusing and sleeping and the constant worry of falling can dramatically interrupt somebody’s way of life. Sometimes, it takes a toll on the body and mind, and a person can respond emotionally to this health issue. Emotional reactions to the condition consist of fear, panic, and anxiety.

Vestibular Disorders

These are connected or attributed to the changes in the position of the fluid inside your ear canals. A sensor in the ear sends information to the brain that contributes to an individual’s sense of balance. Some things can impact the signals in the vestibular system and these cause symptoms.

Chronic dizziness and vertigo are the most typical symptoms of a vestibular balance disorder. Tinnitus, a consistent ringing or swishing in the ear, is likewise a symptom. Underlying factors are usually the culprit, and the disorder may only be secondary. It can affect anyone but is more common in adults.

Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness

What is PPPD? How does it seriously affect someone? This chronic condition is normally described as a constant feeling of floating or rocking without nausea. PPPD is triggered by complex visual environments, panic attacks, or standing up. It is challenging because PPPD can even last for months.

With PPPD, the brain’s ability to analyze space or motion following an alarming event like the ones mentioned above is jeopardized. Instead of calming down, the brain fails to reset, maintaining the abnormal perception, triggering the dizziness or rocking to continue.

Gentle Treatment Alternatives

Most patients go to vestibular audiologists for help. A battery of tests, including hearing, visual, and positional testing, may be performed to determine if the issues are connected to the vestibular system. Patients are referred to other specialists if all tests are normal and non-vestibular related. Abnormal results would lead to further vestibular testing to identify the needed treatment.

Some audiologists would prescribe the usual medicines for vertigo. Prochlorperazine, like Stemetil, or antihistamines, is the most typical prescription medication. With regard to these medications, you may learn more here. However, more and more individuals are choosing other types of treatment to manage their condition.

Physical Therapy

A milder method to cope is through physical therapy. Therapists give patients walking and balancing exercises and closely supervise each session. Aside from exercises, therapists may provide videos that stimulate real-life activities. Eventually, therapy will include normal daily activities that are planned to prevent unneeded triggers. PT is normally done under medication if the case is more severe.

Diet Change

Modifications in a patient’s diet often aid with managing a vestibular disorder. A thoughtful diet can give an individual the correct nutrition that benefits cells, including those within the brain, inner ear, and muscles. If a vestibular diet is introduced, even metabolism can be improved to provide additional energy.

Neuroplasticity

As the name suggests, neuroplasticity is a process that involves changes in the brain’s structure and function. The body’s nervous system is trained to respond to stimuli with adaptation, habituation, and substitution. This therapy allows the brain to relearn to accept outside factors, even though distorted and get used to them. The brain compensates and modifies function and receives the stimuli as correct. If this interests you, why not do a quick search for “neuroplasticity tinnitus treatment” or “neuroplasticity vertigo” to find help near you?

Success Stories

Research studies and personal testimonies from patients that chose gentle treatments are proving that there is improvement in a patient’s way of life. These forms of intervention are becoming popular with word of mouth, and more and more health professionals are more open to these therapeutic solutions.