Dizziness

Definition

Dizziness refers to a loss of balance or even unsteadiness that can often be accompanied by a sensation associated with faintness and/or lightheadedness.

Symptoms and Types

More severe symptoms of dizziness are defined as vertigo. There are two types of vertigo: Subjective vertigo, in which the individual feels as though they are spinning, as well as objective vertigo, in which it appears that objects are spinning around the individual.

Be aware: True vertigo is caused by a problem within the middle ear, 8th (acoustic) cranial nerve, the mind (brain stem), or the eyes. Unlike lightheadedness, vertigo is usually associated with nausea or vomiting, and severe sweating, and is mainly caused by viral infection within the canals of inner ear. Less commonly dizziness may be attributed to Meniere`s illness, which is characterized by bouts associated with severe nausea or vomiting, vomiting, tinnitus (tinnitus), hearing loss, and dizziness that can persist for days and weeks.

Trigger

Dizziness is generally caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure within the brain as a result of standing up prematurely (postural hypotension), fatigue, tension, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), temporary blockage of blood towards the brain as with a transient ischemic attack, low bloodstream oxygenation (anemia), low bloodstream iron, and/or certain drugs.

Lightheadedness, and balance issues may be a sign of depression or even anxiety.

Some cases of dizziness can also be due to mercury poisoning from tooth amalgams. If you have such fillings in your teeth, consider getting them replaced with a holistic dental professional trained in their own proper removal (see Holistic Dentistry).

If dizziness is caused by standing after seated or lying down, this can be an sign of adrenal exhaustion. The person should do something to restore adrenal health through stopping the use of stimulants (coffee, tobacco, alcohol) and by way of rest and normalization of lifestyle and nutritional stability.

Caution: Severe or extended dizziness must be evaluated by a health professional and may require blood tests.

Natural Cures

Diet plan: Eat a natural, whole foods diet plan. If you are hypoglycemic (suffering from reduced blood sugar), consume smaller meals throughout the day as well as eliminate your consumption of refined sugars, caffeinated drinks, and alcoholic beverages. If you are anemic, consume much more chicken, green vegetables, as well as raw seeds.

Flower Essences: Take Save Remedy® for accompanying tension.

Herbs: Ginger root and ginkgo leaf draw out can be very useful.

Homeopathy: Gelsemium, Phosphorus, Cocculus, Convallaria, and Granatum can help address fundamental causes of dizziness.

Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy is the process of applying water, ice, steam and alternating cold and hot temperatures to restore health. Treatments include total body immersion, steam baths, saunas, sitz baths, colonic irrigation, and the application of warm and cold compresses. Hydrotherapy is effective for treating an array of conditions and can easily be used in the home as part of a personal-treatment program. Many professionals including naturopathic physicians, physical therapists, and day spas use Hydrotherapy as part of their treatment routines. We suggest trying several at home hydrotherapy remedies but please seek the advice of an alternative healthcare practitioner prior to undergoing these treatments to ensure they are right for you.

*Purified water is essential for any hydrotherapy remedy.

Nutritional Supplementation: Vitamin B complicated, niacin (supplement B3), vitamin E, and iron (in cases of dizziness related to anemia) are helpful supplements for stopping and reducing the effects associated with dizziness.

For dizziness associated with adrenal tiredness, also include ascorbic acid (3–5 grams daily), vitamin B5 (500-1000 mg daily), and adrenal glandulars as part of your daily supplement program.

How to proceed: At the very first signs of an attack associated with dizziness, take a few heavy breaths and sit down to relax. When you feel dizzy upon standing it helps if you can instantly squat or cross your thighs (strongly pressing them towards each other), because this forces blood circulation up from the lower body/limbs to the trunk area and mind.

Alternative Professional Care

If your symptoms continue despite following the above measures, seek the assistance of a qualified health professional. These professional treatment therapies have all been shown to be useful for treating and relieving the signs of dizziness: Acupuncture, Acupressure, Bodywork (Alexander technique, massage, shiatsu), Chiropractic, Craniosacral Therapy, Detoxification Therapy, Environmental Medicine, Guided Imagery, Alternative Dentistry, Hypnosis, Magnetic Area Therapy, Natural Hormone Alternative Therapy, Naturopathic Medicine, Osteopathy, Reflexology, as well as traditional Chinese Medicine. (See Glossary for descriptions of these alternative treatments.)