Vertigo is a sensation when a patient gets a feeling as if he or she is moving or the things around him are moving, though that is not the reality.
Those who suffer from vertigo may have difficulty maintaining balance while standing or walking. Due to an imbalance, one may fall. Vertigo is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
Homeopathy offers excellent treatment for vertigo patients. With no side effects and naturally obtained medicines, homeopathic remedies offer wonderful results. These medicines cure vertigo by targeting the root cause. Besides relieving one of vertigo, these medicines also help manage accompanying symptoms like vomiting, nausea, headache, noises in the ears (tinnitus), and a sensation of fullness in the ears that may occur in some cases, depending on the cause. Unlike medicines used in the conventional mode that provide temporary relief and may have side effects, homeopathic medicines provide long-term relief with zero side effects.
Initially, homeopathy relieves one of acute vertigo episodes. Later, it helps reduce the intensity and frequency of such attacks. Its main motive is to help cure it entirely through proper treatment. Since vertigo can have various causes, homeopathy focuses on the root cause, which leads to the treatment.
Homeopathy is a very reliable healing science based on fixed principles. It does not follow a hit-and-trial approach to address health issues. Rather, the medicine prescription, potency selection, dosage and repetition — all are done according to fixed laws of homeopathy. Since every person has an inbuilt self-healing process, Homeopathy uses highly diluted medicines that act as a stimulant and help in self-healing. Thus, if such a treatment is guided by a qualified homeopath, most of the cases of mild to moderate intensity get cured easily.
10 Best Homeopathic Remedies For Vertigo
Homeopathy provides several remedies to treat Vertigo. The topmost among these are Conium Maculatum, Gelsemium Sempervirens, Cocculus Indicus, Chininum Sulphuricum, Belladonna, Bryonia Alba, China Officinalis, Silicea Terra, Nux Vomica and Ferrum Phosphoricum.
1. Conium Maculatum – Top-Grade Medicine for Vertigo
Conium leads the chart of homeopathic medicines for treating vertigo. Those who need it feel as if he/she is moving around in a circle. Worsening of vertigo from head movement is the key indication to administer this medicine. It is one of the best medicines to deal with cases of BPPV (a condition in which vertigo occurs from head movement). It is also a well-indicated remedy when vertigo aggravates from turning in bed. It works well when vertigo worsens while rising from a seat or bed. Besides, its use is suggested when vertigo hits you while walking. There may be a tendency to fall sideways. Lastly, for elderly people who experience vertigo, Conium is a very beneficial medicine.
When to use Conium Maculatum?
This medicine should be used as a top remedy in cases of vertigo, especially one that worsens from head movement, walking and turning in bed.
How to use Conium Maculatum?
It can be used in varying potencies like 30C, 200C, and 1M. Most commonly, it is used in a 30C potency one to two times a day. To use higher potencies, kindly consult a homeopathic physician.
2. Gelsemium Sempervirens – For Vertigo With Loss Of Balance
Gelsemium is a natural medicine prepared from the plant ‘yellow jasmine’. It is a very effective medicine when vertigo is accompanied by loss of balance. It poses difficulty while walking, which causes gait issues (an unsteady walk as if one is drunk). Other than this, it is indicated when vertigo is attended with dim vision, double vision and heaviness of eyelids. For those who need gelsenium, vertigo worsens mostly from walking.
When to use Gelsemium Sempervirens?
Consider its use in cases where vertigo is accompanied by loss of balance while walking or dim vision/double vision, or heaviness of eyelids.
How to use Gelsemium Sempervirens?
It is usually administered in 30C potency two to three times a day. Its higher potencies can be used only on the advice of a homeopathic doctor.
3. Cocculus Indicus – For Vertigo With Nausea, Vomiting
Cocculus Indicus is a very suitable medicine for vertigo that is accompanied by vomiting and nausea. For those who need it, vertigo worsens while standing or sitting. It is also a top medicine for vertigo with nausea and vomiting during travelling. Besides, cocculus is an important medicine to manage vertigo that worsens from the loss of sleep. Besides, there is a feeling as if one might faint.
When to use Cocculus Indicus?
This medicine should be preferred in all such cases where vomiting and nausea are accompanied by vertigo.
How to use Cocculus Indicus?
It is mostly recommended in 30C potency. It can be administered one to two times a day as per the intensity of the complaint.
4. Chininum Sulphuricum – For Vertigo In Cases Of Meniere’s Disease
Meniere’s Disease refers to a condition in which hearing loss, noises in the ear (tinnitus) and vertigo affect patients. Chininum Sulph is of a lot of help if vertigo is accompanied by noises in the ear. The noises can be buzzing, ringing or roaring in nature, varying from case to case. Those who need it have difficulty standing and fall down. Vertigo mainly aggravates while stooping. In some cases, it is accompanied by a headache.
When to use Chininum Sulphuricum?
This medicine should be the first choice to manage vertigo in case of Meniere’s disease with buzzing, ringing or roaring noises in the ears and if there is hearing difficulty.
How to use Chininum Sulphuricum?
It works well in all potencies. Initially, it is best to use 30C potency once a day or two times a day. In case no changes occur, one may use high potencies under the supervision of a qualified homeopath.
5. Belladonna – For Vertigo During Headache
Belladonna is a top medicine for treating vertigo that sets in along with headache due to cervical spondylosis. For those who need it, vertigo aggravates from movement, or when one turns in bed. It may also aggravate while stooping or from rising from a stooped position. A tendency to fall to the left side or backward may be present. A headache accompanies vertigo and it gets better by applying pressure or binding the head.
When to use Belladonna?
This medicine is best administered for vertigo that worsens while stooping or when rising from a stooped position. A headache may also accompany such cases.
How to use Belladonna?
This medicine can be used in 30C potency twice or thrice daily as per the severity of the complaint.
6. Bryonia Alba – For Vertigo In Case Of BPPV
BPVV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) refers to a condition in which head movement or a change in head position leads to vertigo. Bryonia is an excellent remedy for BPVV other than Conium. It works well when vertigo appears from sudden motion of the head in any direction. It seems as if all objects are moving about in a circle. The condition improves immediately as the head stabilizes in a standstill position.
When to use Bryonia Alba?
Bryonia can be administered in case vertigo triggers from the sudden movement of the head and gets better with complete rest and no head movement.
How to use Bryonia Alba?
Bryonia is mostly used in 30C potency. One may take it two to three times daily, depending on the intensity of the problem.
7. China Officinalis – For Vertigo Worse On Movement And Walking
China Officinalis is an important medicine when vertigo worsens due to movement and from walking. The person is unable to walk straight and staggers while walking. The problem gets relieved by lying down. Vertigo is accompanied by fainting spells. A tendency to fall backwards is mainly present.
When to use China Officinalis?
The use of this medicine is really applicable for cases of vertigo that aggravate with slight movement and while walking. Just as one lies down, relief sets in.
How to use China Officinalis?
China Officinalis 30C can be used twice a day to begin with.
8. Silicea Terra – For Vertigo worse on looking up
Silicea Terra is well administered for patients suffering from vertigo, which is triggered when one looks upward or as a result of fasting, and it gets better from warmth and by wrapping the head. This type of vertigo may be associated with a headache that has its onset at the occiput and extends forward and settles over the eyes, with a feeling of heaviness or pressure. Patients may have profuse, offensive perspiration on the scalp extending to the neck. Exposure to cold aggravates it. It may be accompanied by swelling or pressure at the root of the nose (glabella) and is often relieved when one lies on the left side.
When to use Silicea Terra?
It is administered when there is an onset of vertigo from looking upwards or due to fasting. It gets worse due to exposure to cold. Warmth and keeping the head wrapped relieve one of the symptoms.
How to use Silicea Terra?
It can be initiated with lower potency — 30C once a day.
9. Nux Vomica – For Vertigo from Gastric and Nervous Stimulation
Nux Vomica is one of the leading medicines for vertigo, characterized by a sensation of the brain turning in circles. There is a feeling of dizziness as if one is intoxicated. These symptoms of vertigo mostly worsen in the mornings, after meals, and due to mental exertion. It may also worsen from stimulants such as alcohol, tobacco, or coffee, and may sometimes be associated with momentary loss of consciousness. Vertigo is often accompanied by occipital or frontal headache, with a pressing pain on the vertex. Most people describe this sensation as if a nail were being driven into the head.
When to use Nux Vomica?
Nux Vomica is indicated for vertigo associated with gastric disturbance, mental overexertion, and excessive use of stimulants like coffee or alcohol, especially when it gets worse in the mornings or after meals.
How to use Nux Vomica?
It can be initiated with 30C potency once a day. Higher potencies can be administered only in consultation with a qualified homeopath.
10. Ferrum Phosphoricum – For Vertigo with Faintness and Fear of Falling
Ferrum Phosphoricum is well-indicated in vertigo associated with a rush of blood to the head, anemia, and general weakness. The patient feels intense dizziness as if everything is swimming, with a sensation that the head is being suddenly pushed forward, and there is a fear of falling. These symptoms may be accompanied by faintness, especially from the sight of blood or from debility, and is often related to vascular congestion of the brain or head.
When to use Ferrum Phosphoricum?
It works wonders in vertigo associated with anemia, general weakness, and rush of blood to the head, with intense dizziness as if everything is swimming.
How to use Ferrum Phosphoricum?
It can be initiated with lower potency, 30C, once a day. Higher potency such as 200C, 1M can be used only after consultation with a qualified homoeopath.
Causes behind Vertigo
1. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV): It is the mostcommon cause of vertigo. In this case, vertigo occurs from a sudden change in head position. For example, it may trigger from moving the head up or down or turning in bed. BPPV happens when calcium particles that are present in the utricle move into semi-circular canal of the inner ear that controls balance. When head movement is made, these particles touch and stimulate the cilia (sensory hair cells that signal to the brain about the body’s balance and position) of these canals. Due to this, wrong information is processed about the body’s position, resulting in vertigo.
2. Labyrinthitis: Inflammation or infection of the labyrinth, which is part of the inner ear.
3. Vestibular neuritis: Inflammation of the vestibular nerve that processes signals to the brain about the body’s balance.
4. Meniere’s disease: An inner ear disorder that causes a triad of complaints, including vertigo, tinnitus (noises in the ear) and hearing loss.
5. Cholesteatoma: A cyst growing in the middle ear behind the eardrum
6. Migraine headache:One-sided, severe throbbing headache accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Sensitivity to noise, light, and odours may be present. Vertigo can also accompany these symptoms.
7. Otosclerosis: This condition arises from abnormal bone growth in the middle ear.
Ear surgery, head/neck injury, low blood pressure, certain medicines that damage the ear, for example, diuretics, salicylates, aminoglycoside antibiotics and stroke (damage to the brain from an interrupted blood supply to the brain).
What are the symptoms of Vertigo?
Those who suffer from vertigo feel as if they are spinning or objects around them are moving, or they are swaying or have the feeling of imbalance. There may be other accompanying symptoms as well, depending on the cause behind vertigo. These include nausea, vomiting, balance issues, headache, noises in the ears (tinnitus), sensation of fullness in the ears, sweating and nystagmus (rapid, repetitive, involuntary eye movement).
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How is vertigo diagnosed?
Its diagnosis is based on detailed history, physical examination, and sometimes blood tests, hearing tests, or imaging, if and when required.
2. What lifestyle changes help in vertigo?
Adequate sleep, regular meals, avoidance of sudden head movements, managing stress, staying hydrated, and avoiding excessive caffeine or alcohol can help reduce attacks.
3. What is the difference between dizziness and vertigo?
Dizziness is a general feeling of light-headedness or imbalance, while vertigo specifically refers to a spinning or rotational sensation.
4. How long does a vertigo episode last?
Episodes may last from a few seconds to several minutes, hours, or even days, depending on the cause.
5. Can vertigo recur frequently?
Yes, vertigo may be recurrent, especially if the underlying cause is not addressed.
6. Can spine problems cause vertigo?
Yes, cervical spondylosis, poor posture, or neck muscle strain can be a contributing factor.
7. Is vertigo linked to sinus pressure or nasal blockage?
Yes, pressure over the sinuses or root of the nose can be associated with vertigo.
8. Is vertigo a disease or a symptom?
Vertigo is a symptom, not a disease. It indicates an underlying problem affecting the balance of the body.
9. Does anemia cause vertigo?
Yes. Low haemoglobin levels can reduce oxygen supply to the brain, causing dizziness and vertigo-like symptoms.