Dizziness

Description

Dizziness, a sense of being dazed, disoriented, and unsteady, accompanied by a spinning sensation. It is an uncomfortable and distorted perception of the environment.

Recurrent episodes of dizziness are related to other disorders, particularly of the eye, ear or nervous system. Recurrent dizziness should be reported to a doctor.

Dizziness should be distinguished from vertigo, a disturbance in which an individual has a subjective impression of movement in space or of objects moving around him or her, normally accompanied by a loss of equilibrium.

For occasional dizziness, treatment includes eating a balanced diet, getting adequate rest, standing up slowly and avoiding hot places such as overheated rooms.

Causes

Primary Factors
The primary cause of dizziness is disturbance to any balance control organ, especially the eyes, ears and brain.

Predisposing Factors

Injury to head	Stroke
Ear infection	Meniere's disease
Migraine	Cervical spondylosis
Overheating	Tumor
Excessive tiredness	Subdural hemorrhage
Nervousness	Hematoma
Standing too quickly	Labrynthitis

Signs & Symptoms

Sensation of "light-headedness"
Sensation of faintness
Unsteadiness
Swaying
Weakness
Nausea
Vomiting

Nutritional Supplements

Structure & Function:
        Circulatory Support &
        Immune System Support

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General Supplements
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B Complex*
Choline	600 mg tid
Germanium*
Glutamine	500 mg
Vitamin C	5,000 mg

Note: All amounts are in addition to those supplements having a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Due to individual needs, one must always be aware of a possible undetermined effect when taking nutritional supplements. If any disturbances from the use of a particular supplement should occur, stop its use immediately and seek the care of a qualified health care professional.

Discussion:

However, ginkgo biloba may reduce the incidence of dizziness, if this is a frequent problem, by improving blood flow in the brain.

One specific fiber is glucomannan. It is worth emphasizing that fiber should be taken with plenty of fluids.

Dietary Considerations

Dizziness can result from ingestion of large amounts of copper over a prolonged period of time. Copper toxicity will occur at doses greater than 250 milligrams per day.

Strenuous exercise in hot weather can cause an excessive loss of sodium from the body. Dizziness, fainting and muscle cramps could result. Treatment consists of adding small amounts of salt to drinking water in an effort to replenish the lost electrolytes.

Dizziness, in the apparent absence of an underlying condition, can be a symptom of food allergy. Other symptoms of food sensitivity are: asthma, dermatitis, diarrhea and vomiting. The Elimination Diet should be used to identify the offending substance or substances. The allergen can then be excluded from the diet.

Homeopathic Remedy

Dizziness (vertigo) persistant

1.* Granatum	3C -15C
2.* Cocculus indicus	15C - 30C
3.* Tarantula hispanola	30C
4. Oleander

Vertigo

1.* Zingiber officinale	6X to 30C distorted equilibrium
2. Salicidum acidum	1M

Also Borage

Treatment Schedule

Doses cited are to be administered on a 3X daily schedule, unless otherwise indicated. Dose usually continued for 2 weeks. Liquid preparations usually use 8-10 drops per dose. Solid preps are usually 3 pellets per dose. Children use 1/2 dose.

Legend

X = 1 to 10 dilution - weak (triturition)
C = 1 to 100 dilution - weak (potency)
M = 1 to 1 million dilution (very strong)
X or C underlined means it is most useful potency

Asterisk (*) = Primary remedy. Means most necessary remedy. There may be more than one remedy - if so, use all of them.

References
Boericke, D.E., 1988. Homeopathic Materia Medica.

Coulter, C.R., 1986. Portraits of Homeopathic Medicines.

Kent, J.T., 1989. Repertory of the Homeopathic Materia Medica.

Koehler, G., 1989. Handbook of Homeopathy.

Shingale, J.N., 1992. Bedside Prescriber.

Smith, Trevor, 1989. Homeopathic Medicine.

Ullman, Dana, 1991. The One Minute (or so) Healer.

Tissue Salts

Ferr. Phos.	dizziness when rising from being stooped over, throbbing pain, flushed face;
Kali Phos.	nervous dispopsition, worse when rising or looking upward;
Nat. Phos.	dizziness due to acidosis;
Nat. Sulf.	vertigo due to bilious derangements;

4 tablets every hour.

Herbal Approaches

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Herbs
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Cayenne
Damiana
Ginger
Ginseng
Lemongrass
St. John's wort

Vertigo (German Commission E)

Ginkgo biloba leaf extract

Note: The misdirected use of an herb can produce severely adverse effects, especially in combination with prescription drugs. This Herbal information is for educational purposes and is not intended as a replacement for medical advice.

References:

Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.

Aromatherapy - Essential Oils

Basil Essence	Clove Essence
Chamomile Essence	Lavender Essence

Related Health Conditions

Cervical spondylosis	Headache
Hemorrhage	Infection
Inflammation	Labrynthitis
Meniere's disease	Stroke
Tumor	Vertigo
Vomiting

Abstracts

References

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Asakura M et al: Increased platelet aggregability in patients with vertigo, sudden deafness and facial palsy. Acta Otolaryngol Suppl (Stockh), 1995, 520 Pt 2:, 399-400.

Berkow, R. 1977. The Merck Manual. Merck Sharp and Dohme Research Laboratories Pub., Rahway, New Jersey. 2165 pp.

Bland, Jeffrey. Nutraerobics. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1983.

Bland, Jeffrey. Medical Applications of Clinical Nutrition. New Canaan, Conn.: Keats, 1983.

Chasroff, I.J. & J.W. Ellis. 1983. Family Medical Guide, William Morrow and Company Inc., Pub. 594 pp.

Colledge NR et al., Evaluation of investigations to diagnose the cause of dizziness in elderly people: a community based controlled study. BMJ, 313:788-92, 1996 Sep 28.

Davis LE: Dizziness in elderly men. J Am Geriatr Soc, 1994 Nov, 42:11, 1184-8.

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Fontana, F.J. & F. Moreno-Pagan. 1980. Allergy and Diet. Modern Nutrition in Health & Disease. Goodhart & Shils, eds. Lea & Febiger, Phila.

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