Had vertigo since 15 years old, why?

Question

Now 15 years later still have it. Have seen doctors had bloodwork done but no one really ever solved the problem, thought was due to anxiety but is present even when calm. Mostly seems to be visual, have impression things are rotating and need to hold on to not fall, lasts 3-4 second about once a day but some days do not have it. Worsens if eat lunch late and feel hungry but still happens on full stomach. Any ideas? I think I will have to live with it for my entire life.

No one else has them in my family, happens mostly when standing up, especially if I am focusing on something and then turn my eyes to something else, yes I do get motion sick easily and cannot go on roller coasters, I am easily bothered my movements. No headaches, tinnitus.

I usually am well between attacks, but always felt sort of not well balanced, like if moving around, walking will trigger it.

Answer 1

Hi, I'm an Audiologist.

It does sound like an issue with the inner ear based on your description. Do you have any other symptoms, such as tinnitus (sounds in your ear), hearing loss, headaches, etc.? Has anybody else in your family had these symptoms? Does it usually happen after you move your head quickly, or can it hit you even when you are sitting still? Do you feel completely normal in-between attacks, or do you also have some imbalance? Do you also get car-sick or motion sickness?

There are tests that can help diagnose the cause of your symptoms, and lead to treatment options. The place to start is with an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist (ENT/otologist). Feel free to add details or contact me.

Answer 2

All you need to do is drink more water. Cholesterol isn't necessarily the bad guy that doctors want you to believe. Knowing a little about what causes cholesterol will help you to reduce it. When you don't drink enough water, the body sometimes has to borrow water from the blood to inject into the cells. This causes the arteries to shrink and the blood to become thicker, creating an acidic state that can tear the membranes of the artery walls as the blood is pumped through the system. To prevent this, the body creates cholesterol, which acts like a band-aid to temporarily seal the damaged areas until the body can repair them. Because you don't feel this plaque build-up and there are no symptoms other than learning the results during a routine checkup, problem isn't corrected by drinking more water, it will build up until it becomes a complete blockage requiring surgery to fix.

Answer 3

I'd suggest you have them check the inner ear, and if you wear glasses then make sure you can see well with both eyes. Either of these can cause what I'd describe as vertigo, but what I think you mean is dizziness, falling and uneasiness. I know that if one eyeglass is too different than the other, or if one makes you see larger than the other eyeglass, or even if one eye is seeing well and the other is not seeing that good that will affect you as well. When I had the problem it was the eyeglasses. When I still had it but less and was "walking crooked and falling" the eyedoctor said to have the innerear checked for the imbalance.

When I was a young girl and started menstration I used to get dizzy to the point of nearly fainting and I'd "grey out". So also discuss that with your physician.

Answer 4

Hi TH

Here are some answers and ideas on how to heal the issue.

Causes
Vertigo is caused by disturbances within the equilibratory system - ears, inner ear canals, the cranial nerves servicing the ears, the associated brain parts, and the eyes. The system is disturbed due to mild stress on the cranial nerves, middle ear infections, shingles, inflammation of the ear canals, obstruction in an ear tube, a tumor, or a nerve inflammation. All of these factors must be screened for and addressed before lasting relief from vertigo symptoms can be achieved.

Note: Vertigo can be an indication of a variety of other health problems. Prolonged or severe attacks of vertigo require immediate medical attention.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Natural Cures

Diet: Avoid caffeine, chocolates, salt, fried foods, nicotine, drugs, alcohol, and aspartame (NutraSweet(TM)).

Flower Essences: Rescue Remedy® is useful for calming accompanying stress. Scleranthus can also be helpful.

Herbs: Ginkgo biloba and ginger can be helpful. Take one 40 mg tablet of ginkgo or two capsules of ginger three times a day.

Homeopathy: Useful homeopathic remedies include Gelsemium, Phosphorus, Cocculus, Aconite, Nat. mur., Sulfur, Silicea, Lycopodium, and Belladonna.

Lifestyle: Stay still during vertigo attacks and avoid rapid body movements, especially of the head. Be sure to reduce stress, and get adequate sleep.

Nutritional Supplementation: Recommended nutrients include Vitamin B complex, vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B6, vitamin C plus bioflavonoids and rutin, vitamin E, calcium, choline, and adrenal glandulars.

Alternative Professional Care
If your symptoms persist despite the above measures, seek the help of a qualified health professional. The following professional care therapies have all been shown to be useful for treating vertigo: Acupressure, Acupuncture, Ayurveda, Bodywork, Chiropractic, Craniosacral Therapy, Environmental Medicine, Hypnotherapy, Magnetic Field Therapy, Naturopathic Medicine, Osteopathy, Qigong, Reflexology, and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

best of health to you

Answer 5

Sounds like a drop in blood sugar, if you are eating lunch late. Maybe days with full stomach could be what you ate,maybe too many carbs that have now left your stomach. Why not keep a food diary so you can see if it is what you are eating or not eating. Is it when you are kneeling and then getting up suddenly that could cause a drop in blood pressure and by the time you go to the MD the problem is not there. Try and keep the diary of all you eat and do before the problem happens.

Answer 6

See an ear doctor and ask him to check for otoliths. It can cause something called Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. Most ear doctors don't check for it but it is easily diagnosed and fits your symptoms.

Good luck.

Answer 7

my dad has suffered from full blown vertigo spells for many years now (menieres disease) i have watched him suffer through many attacks. he had two very unnecessary surgerys but to no avail as they only proved to be very temporary. in april of 2005 he heard through a friend about a clinic in memphis, TN that specializes in TREATMENT, not just temporary relief! i am not very familiar with this site and do not know what i can say or not say but if you want to e-mail me at [e-mail], i would be happy to tell you more about this amazing clinic!! the success rates are absolutely unbelievable and the doctors together have 40 or 50 yrs of experience. looking foward to hearing from you.

Answer 8

I sure feel sorry for you. My best friend suffers with this too. Her problem stems from a damaged inner ear, which in turn makes her dizzy. Have you had your ears checked out? Good luck.

Answer 9

have your inner ear checked. You got some good advice on here.

Answer 10

you need to see an inner ear doctor