Vertigo
Symptom
Is that sidewalk…moving? Nope…it’s vertigo! Vertigo doesn’t just make it seem like objects around you are moving; it can also cause dizziness, nausea, and disorientation. Sometimes, it can even feel like the world is spinning. It’s most commonly linked to vestibular dysfunction, a problem in the inner ear, which Lymies may experience in the later stages of the disease. Vertigo can also be triggered by the Epstein-Barr virus, which has been associated with vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis. Or, it can be a symptom of something called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), a disorder that occurs when calcium carbonate crystals in the inner ear are dislodged. Medications, such as antihistamines, benzodiazepines, and antiemetics, can relieve symptoms while the cause of your vertigo is being pinned down. Fortunately, many varieties of vertigo can be managed with a treatment known as vestibular rehabilitation therapy. Homeopathic preparations have also been explored as remedies for vertigo, and a technique called systemic desensitization can be helpful, as it aims to calm down the limbic system dysfunction that may be contributing to your dizziness/disorientation. One common tool for systemic desensitization is the Dynamic Neural Retraining System, aka DNRS. If your diagnosis is BPPV, the Epley maneuver, a series of four simple movements performed by a trained practitioner, can reposition the crystals and resolve vertigo. (There’s also a DIY version; ask your practitioner to teach you how to do it.) As with many symptoms, vertigo can sometimes take time to resolve (which, we know, is mega-frustrating), but there are definitely techniques out there that can help you make progress over time.
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