Treatment options

[This post provides an overview of treatment options for vertigo. Treatment will vary based on the type of vertigo and the cause.

This post will describe common treatments for vertigo. After reading, you will be prepared to discuss treatment options with your doctor.]
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Treatment for vertigo can include medication, exercises, and counseling. At times, vertigo can resolve on its own.

(Brandt, Dieterich, & Strupp, 2013, p. 47)

Treatment when having vertigo:
When you are dizzy, try to hold something to steady yourself. Try not to move. Your doctor will tell you what else to do when you are dizzy.
(Meniere's Society, 2013)

Treatment with medication:

Based on the type of vertigo you have, your doctor may prescribe a drug. In some cases, the drug will treat the symptoms. Your doctor will tell you when and for how long you should take these drugs. Drugs may only treat immediate symptoms. You may not need to take them forever.

(Brandt, Dieterich, & Strupp, 2013).

Other types of vertigo may require long term drugs to treat the cause.

Your doctor can tell you whether or not medication is an option. If medication is an option, you may wish to ask your doctor:

• When should I take the medication? How many times per day?
• Can I take the medication with food?
• Are there any side effects?
• What should I do if I have side effects? Are any side effects serious?
• Are there any activities I should avoid?
• When should the medication start working? How will I know if it is working?
• How long will I need to take the medication?
• Are there any alternatives to taking medication?

Physical therapy:

Your doctor may prescribe physical therapy to work on your balance. Physical therapy means exercises and movements.

A physical therapist will assess your condition. He or she may watching your eye movement and body movement. The therapist will teach you different exercises (Cleveland Clinic, 2017). You will perform the exercises a certain number of times each week or day. With time, your balance may improve and you may have fewer symptoms.

You can learn more about physical therapy for vertigo in the these links:

• Exercise Therapy Can Help Dizziness From Inner-Ear Illness (Henneberger, 1994)
• Treating Vertigo with Physical Therapy (MoveForwardPT, 2010)
• Vertigo Treatment (University of Colorado Denver, 2013)
• Vestibular Rehabilitation (Cleveland Clinic, 2017)

Counseling:

Your doctor may prescribe counseling sessions. A therapist will help you work through feelings and other issues. Based on the cause of your vertigo, a psychiatrist may prescribe medication.

(Brandt, Dieterich, & Strupp, 2013, p. 49)

Other treatments:

Surgery is not usually treatment for vertigo, but may be an option based on the cause. Your doctor will let you know if surgery is possible.

(Brandt, Dieterich, & Strupp, 2013, p. 50)

Alternative treatments:

Ask your doctor about alternative treatments. For example:

• How to get rid of vertigo (DrAxe.com, 2017)
• Tai chi and yoga, change in diet, and special footwear have helped some people with vertigo (Vestibular Disorders Association, n.d.)

There are a lot of websites and posts about alternative treatments. These may or may not be backed by science. Please discuss alternative treatments with your doctor.

Considerations:

With any treatment, there are things you should consider. Please watch this gif: https://www.powtoon.com/c/ftc9LGCRTn2/1/m

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References:

Brandt, T., Dieterich, M., & Strupp, M. (2013). Vertigo and Dizziness: Common Complaints. (2nd ed.). London, UK: Springer-Verlag.

DrAxe.com. (2017). How to get rid of vertigo. Retrieved on June 10, 2017, from https://draxe.com/how-to-get-rid-of-vertigo/.

Henneberger, M. (1994, January 26). Exercise therapy can help dizziness from inner-ear ills. New York Times. Retrieved on May 30, 2017, from http://www.nytimes.com/1994/01/26/us/exercise-therapy-can-help-dizziness-from-inner-ear-ills.html.

Meniere's Society. (2013). Short-term measures. Retrieved on June 10, 2017, from http://www.menieres.org.uk/information-and-support/treatment-and-management/short-term-measures.

MoveForwardPT. (2010, June 7). Treating vertigo with physical therapy [video file]. Retrieved on May 30, 2017, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ylo-fB90YRA.

University of Colorado Denver. (2013, October 14). Vertigo Treatment - How to Treat Vertigo [video file]. Retrieved on May 30, 2017, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VWyPgfMuvM.

Vestibular Rehabilitation. (2017). Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved on May 30, 2017, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/vestibular-rehabilitation.