Problems with the vestibular apparatus are known to almost everyone. Frequent dizziness and nausea in transport most often occur due to the high sensitivity of the organ. But sometimes they can indicate the patient has a serious illness. Let's just now try to find out what ailments the frustrated vestibular apparatus is able to “please” us. Violations, their treatment with conventional medicines and alternative medicine, the main symptoms and signs - all this is described in the article below.
Vestibular apparatus: what is it?
The proper operation of this body is very important to ensure the normal functioning of a person. Loss of balance, poor orientation during the performance of any tasks often leads to any violation of the vestibular apparatus. Symptoms are as follows: a person cannot walk in a straight line, perform accurate movements, in especially severe cases, it is even difficult for him to get out of the couch or dine without assistance. He suffers from vomiting, nausea, fainting, jumps in blood pressure, sweating, as well as problems with eyes, breathing, and heart rate.
The vestibular apparatus is located in the
inner ear. It consists of endolymph, jelly-shaped capsules of the semicircular canal and otoliths included in it, as well as a cluster of ciliary cells. But the vestibular center itself is located in the brain of the head: it is here that information is collected about the position of the body, the force of pressure in the organ, data from the visual organ and receptors located in the limbs. A malfunction in at least one of the links provokes a violation of the vestibular apparatus. Symptoms may appear immediately in the form of nausea and dizziness.
Vestibular neuritis
All diseases of the system are accompanied by a loss of orientation, coordination, headache. Symptoms can be caused by various diseases. One of the most common is vestibular neuritis. It is diagnosed in patients who lead a different lifestyle, in people of all ages and fields of activity. It is most often provoked by the herpes virus and the diseases caused by it - herpes zoster and chicken pox. At first, a person feels dizzy with even the slightest movement. Then he has involuntary movements of the eyeballs, vomiting, nausea.
Serious injuries can result from such violations of the vestibular apparatus. Treatment is prescribed only by an experienced doctor - there should not be any amateur performances on your part. If the cause is a herpes bacterium, the doctor prescribes a cure for the virus: Cycloferon or Valtrex. And also selects anticholinergics, antihistamines and benzodiazepines, which stop attacks of vomiting and dizziness. Doctors recommend
vestibular gymnastics, the purpose of which is to restore vision and normal functioning of the inner ear.
DPPG
The abbreviation of a dangerous disease is deciphered as follows: benign paroxysmal positional dizziness. This is another violation of the vestibular apparatus, the treatment of which consists not only in taking medication, but also in special gymnastics. The purpose of exercise is to move particles to another part of the ear that irritate ciliated cells. Most often, BPP is observed in old age, after a severe head injury, as well as in people who have undergone surgery. In addition, violations of the hydromechanical principles of the vestibular system and the pathology of the inner ear become its cause.
The main symptom is dizziness. Attacks are most often short-lived: from a few seconds to five minutes. They arise against the background of a change in body position, sharp jerks of the head. Sometimes they are accompanied by involuntary spinning of the eyes - it seems that a person is watching an object moving in a circle. If the case is severe and the attacks are persistent, then the patient is recommended to agree to surgical intervention.
Meniere's disease
The cause of the disease is an increase in the amount of fluid in one of the structures of the inner ear, the so-called labyrinth, as well as the increased pressure accompanying the process in this area. Congenital disorders in the structure of the auditory organ, allergic reactions, viral infections, vascular pathologies, metabolic and endocrine diseases can provoke the problem.
A patient diagnosed with Meniere's disease complains of vomiting, nausea, and prolonged dizziness. The latter come for no apparent reason and are often accompanied by noise and ringing in the ears. With a running disease, in especially severe forms, a person loses balance, his coordination of movements is disturbed . Hearing loss gradually decreases. In some cases, complete deafness becomes a consequence of this violation of the vestibular apparatus: treatment should be effective and professional. Often, doctors prescribe antihistamines and hormones, diuretics to patients. They facilitate the patient’s condition, normalize the volume of fluid in the ear labyrinth.
Intoxication
Another reason for vestibular disorders. Various medications, industrial and household chemicals have a negative effect on the entire nervous system, including the apparatus responsible for coordination and balance. If the toxin is very aggressive, it can disrupt the function of any nerve responsible for the interaction between the brain and the inner ear. At the same time, a person constantly complains of bouts of vomiting, severe dizziness - they are usually tied to the time of taking a poisonous drug or using a harmful drug. Doubt in the eyes, blurred consciousness may occur.
How to treat disorders of the vestibular apparatus resulting from intoxication? This is decided by the doctor, depending on the type of toxin, the strength of its effect. First of all, they prescribe the cleansing of the body with droppers, prescribe a strict diet and daily regimen. Remember: intoxication is the most dangerous cause of vestibular disorders. It causes not only complete hearing loss, but can also be fatal. If at least one symptom occurs, immediately call an ambulance team.
Other causes of violations
Problems arise most often in old age due to vertebral-basilar insufficiency. They are also provoked by diseases of the ear, throat, nose: otosclerosis, otitis media, dysfunction of the Eustachian tube, tonsillitis, and even ordinary sulfur plug. Other causes of vestibular disorders: traumatic brain injury, tumors, epilepsy, migraine, obstruction of the internal auditory artery, craniovertebral anomaly, etc.
As we see, treatment should not be directed to the vestibular apparatus, but to the pathology or disease that leads to unpleasant consequences. At the first sign of a problem, immediately contact an otolaryngologist. In addition to a routine examination, a physician can prescribe an ultrasound to diagnose the condition of the vertebral arteries, a brain tomography for pathological changes, as well as audiometry, which determines the degree of auditory sensitivity. These methods help to reveal the causes of violations. Although, it should be noted that in a third of patients, the primary source of diseases of the vestibular zone remains undetected.
How to strengthen the vestibular apparatus?
It is easy to do. Parents must observe their child from the first days of life. Having discovered violations of the vestibular apparatus even in childhood, treatment should be focused on sports and physical exercises. The kid should immediately be recorded in any club where children jump, run, play active games, swim. Football and basketball are very helpful, developing concentration and coordination, as well as gymnastics that requires balance. If the problem appeared in adulthood, then ordinary attractions will help to solve it - ride on the carousel. A swing is also useful: you need to swing gradually, increasing the amplitude over time.
Physical exercises are also recommended: turning the head, tilting forward and backward, moving the body in a circle. You can walk a small section of unfamiliar terrain: first with your eyes open, then with your eyes closed. This exercise needs to be done daily - 6 times. Only after three months of regular training will you achieve the first results. By the way, the vestibular apparatus needs to be strengthened not only for people with disorders, but also for all healthy individuals - for prevention.
Folk remedies
Conventional food and herbs from the pharmacy help to overcome any disturbance of the vestibular apparatus. Treatment with folk remedies is aimed at dizziness, since it is in most cases that patients suffer from it. Recommended tincture of hawthorn - not only inside but also outside. With its help, you can do a head massage. For the same purpose, inshell walnuts are used: in this case, it is necessary to act not on the crown, but on the palm of your hand, because it is precisely on them that the points responsible for coordination and balance are located.
Infusions of belladonna, clover flowers, parsley seeds, carrot and beetroot juices will help eliminate vestibular apparatus disorders. Treatment is not applicable to pregnant and lactating women - this period is not the best time for experiments. In addition, to get rid of dizziness, you need to enrich the diet with garlic, berries, fruits and vegetables. Fiber, which is present in them, will clear the vessels of harmful cholesterol and normalize blood pressure. A contrast shower, bath and sauna will facilitate the patient's condition.
Decoction treatment
One of the best remedies is lemon balm or mint. Fresh leaves (15 g) are poured with half a liter of boiling water, valerian root is added, cooked on fire for 20 minutes. Then the mixture is diluted with a small amount of green tea. A filtered and chilled drink should be drunk three times a day - a tablespoon on an empty stomach. For problems with the vestibular apparatus, ginger root is also effective. Grind it into powder and, washed down with water, consume a quarter of a teaspoon three times a day.
Oregano also helps. This herb is taken in brewed form - two tablespoons of chopped leaves are poured with boiling water in a thermos and insisted all night. In the morning, drink a decoction in four doses.
Mixtures of herbs are considered universal folk therapy. It is recommended to use several plants at once for a more effective result. At the same time, the drink must be seasoned with honey - it very well helps to remove the unpleasant sensations that the sick vestibular apparatus causes.
Disorders, the treatment of which should be comprehensive, can be easily eliminated if you approach the therapy competently and responsibly.