Ayurvedic Treatment For Vertibular Hypofunction With Herbal Remedies
Abstract
Vestibular Hypofunction is a condition where the inner part of the ear is not working properly. It is unilateral or bilateral. Bilateral occurs due to damage to inner ear nerves. The inner ear cochlea and semicircular canals help in the balance of hearing defects in the inner ear leading to vestibular hypofunction. The vestibular system works with the eyes and muscles to maintain the normal functioning of the body. Abnormality in the inner ear leads to various symptoms according to the severity of the disease.
Introduction
Due to abnormality in the cochlea and semicircular canal of the inner ear, it leads to vestibular hypofunction. There can be two types: unilateral vestibular hypofunction and bilateral vestibular hypofunction. Unilateral vestibular hypofunction occurs when there is an abnormality in one ear and another ear works properly as a result various symptoms occur such as dizziness, vertigo, anxiety, and nausea. Bilateral vestibular hypofunction occurs when the peripheral vestibular system is not working properly as a result the person cannot walk in a dark room or on uneven surfaces, with the movement of the head having difficulty in seeing.
Causes
The causes of vestibular hypofunction are-
- Autoimmune disorders
- Infections
- Poor circulation in the ear
- Calcium debris deposition in the semicircular canal of the ear
- Inner ear problems
- Medicines
- Traumatic brain injury
- Blood clots
- Tumours that are vestibular schwannoma
- Meniere’s syndrome
Risk Factors
The risk factors include the –
- Ototoxicity (Hearing loss due to medicine)
- Meningitis (Inflammation of protective membranes covering the brain and the spinal cord)
- Autoimmune disorders
- Chronic inflammatory peripheral polyneuropathy
- Neurofibromatosis
- Sequential vestibular neuritis
Pathophysiology
The abnormality in the vestibular system affects one or both sides as a result of an abnormality in sensory functions and leads to various symptoms such as dizziness, motion sickness, vertigo, and hearing problems leading to vestibular hypofunction.
Symptoms
The symptoms of vestibular hypofunction are-
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Changes in heart rhythm
- Anxiety
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Disorientation
- Vertigo
- Lack of coordination
- Hearing problems
- Lightheadedness
- Imbalance
- Difficulty in walking in dark room
- Imbalance in gait and posture
Diagnosis
The ENT specialist check the sign symptoms and severity of the disease and the following test are done to confirm the vestibular hypofunction-
- Hearing examination
- Dynamic visual activity – To assess the functional state of the vestibular system.
- Eye test – Check the nystagmus
- Clinical examination to check the balance
- Blood tests
- Posturography – To check the movement and posture
- Walking test with the involvement of head movement
- Oculomotor examination – To check the movement of the head and eye movement
- VEMP – Vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials
- SVV – Subjective visual vertical
- VNG – Videonystagmography
- DVA – Dynamic visual activity
- MRI of the brain (Imaging test of the brain and head)
- HRCT of the temporal bone
Treatment
The treatment of vestibular hypofunction includes-
- Standing balance activities
- Gaze stabilisation exercise – to coordinate the motion of the head and eye
- VRT – Vestibular rehabilitation therapy
- Medications
- Yoga exercise for balance (Dhanurasan and Halaasan)
- Surgical procedure
Ayurveda Aspect For Vestibular Hypofunction
In Ayurveda Acharya, it is correlated with भ्रम and explained under मानसिक व्याधि. It is due to Rajo guna (mansik dosha) and vitiation of vata and pitta dosha (sharira dosha). As a result, the sensation forms in the head, and vertigo and headache occur, as the movement of the eyeball, and hearing loss. It is peripheral when the defect is in the inner ear and it is central when the defect is in the brain. Due to vata dosha person feels himself rotating and due to pitta dosha, the person feels the surroundings are moving.
भ्रम according to मा.नि.१७।१९
“चक्रवद् भ्रमतो गात्रं भूमौ पतति सर्वदा
भ्रमरोग इति ज्ञेयो रजः पित्त अनिलात्मकः”
As per madhava nidan due to Rajo guna and vata and pitta dosha, the person feels her body falling on land and feels vertigo symptoms.
Causes
- Avoid vata pitta dominating food
- Sour, salty, hot potency food
- Exposure to excessive heat
- Use of alcohol or tobacco
- Difficulty in sleeping at night
- Physical strain
The Goodnews!?
The good news is that Vertibular Hypofunction is preventable and reversible, but can only be possible by using holistic approach, the one advocated in Ayurveda that addresses the issues from the very root.
Since ancient times, Ayurveda has defined diseases with their symptoms, causes and healing methods with nature.
If you are having any of the above mentioned symptoms, don’t assume it is Vertibular Hypofunction yet without any proper diagnosis because there are other hearing related diseases that comes with the same symptoms. Consult with a Doctor for accurate diagnosis to find out if Vertibular Hypofunction is what you are having or any other related disease.
Vine-Health Approach to Vestibular Hypofunction
As a holistic health clinic, we take accurate diagnosis very seriously in order to ascertain the root cause of a particular illness. You will be consulted with our doctor to know the type of test or scan to run base on your symptoms to detect exactly the root cause of your issue to ascertain if Vertibular Hypofunction is your issue or not to ensure appropriate treatment.
Accurate diagnosis is the key to the treatment of any disease.
We can really help you out of the issue!
Contact us for your accurate diagnosis or for any issues