What to Avoid If You Have Vertigo
Vertigo is a symptom of many diseases. It is a condition where a person feels as though he or she is spinning or their surrounding is spinning. Vertigo occurs as a result of disorders in the inner ear. The causes of vertigo may be divided into peripheral and central problems.
Peripheral disorders include benign paroxysmal vertigo (BPV), Meniere’s disease, labyrinthitis, vestibular neuritis, and ototoxicity due to certain medications.
Central vertigo causes include migraine headaches, decreased blood flow to the brain, tumors, cardiovascular disorders such as bradycardia (slowed heart rate) or tachycardia (rapid heart rate), or a sudden drop in blood pressure, stroke, brain hemorrhage, head trauma, and
multiple sclerosis.
If you already have vertigo, it is important to pay attention to your diet since certain foods and beverages have the potential of aggravating the symptoms associated with vertigo. Dietary changes can reduce your risk for cardiovascular conditions and stroke, and they can reduce your need for heart or blood pressure medications, which can also be a cause of vertigo.
People with diabetes have a much higher risk of developing hearing loss. A high blood sugar level is considered to be a potential factor of an inner ear disease.
Stroke can also lead to vertigo. The risk factors for stroke include high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and smoking. Therefore, an increased exposure to the substances that causes stroke can further lead to vertigo and aggravation of symptoms for people who already have vertigo.
The Importance of Diet
Having a healthy and nutritious diet is important because it balances the fluid in the body. It will help in keeping the symptoms of vertigo from flaring up from time-to-time. The following foods can worsen the symptoms of vertigo:
Salt
The vestibular system contains fluid. The buildup of fluid in the inner ear can be caused by an increase in one's salt intake. This fluid buildup occurs in Meniere’s disease, which is one of the causes of vertigo. Not only does excessive consumption of salt lead to fluid retention but also causes hypertension which may also make vertigo worse.
Sugar
How exactly does a diet high in blood sugar cause vertigo? High levels of sugar in the blood can lead to arteriosclerosis (hardening of blood vessels). Arteriosclerosis, in turn, can cause high blood pressure, which is one of the causative factors of vertigo. Consuming a lot of sugar can lead to an imbalance in fluid and fluid retention. It has also been shown that people who have diabetes have a higher risk of developing vertigo and hearing loss as compared to people with normal blood sugar levels. For people who already have vertigo, it may be important to take measure, such as replacing sugary drinks with vegetable or fruit drinks, to prevent symptoms from becoming worse. Therefore cutting down on the daily intake of foods containing sugar can not only improve symptoms of vertigo but also improve general health.
For people who already have vertigo, it may be important to take preventive measures such as replacing sugary drinks with vegetable or fruit drinks, to prevent the symptoms from becoming worse. Therefore, cutting down on your daily intake of foods containing sugar cannot only improve the symptoms of vertigo but also improve your overall health.
Caffeine
Foods and beverages that contain caffeine should be avoided since caffeine makes tinnitus louder. Caffeine also has diuretic properties, which cause the kidneys to produce more urine, and thus, more water is lost from the body.
Foods containing tyramine
Refrain from eating foods that contain tyramine to avoid triggering or aggravating migraines. Tyramine-rich foods include red wine, chocolate, old cheese, smoked meat, and bananas.
Nuts and seeds
Nuts and seeds include peanuts, pecans, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and sesame seeds. These nuts and seeds also contain high amounts of tyramine.
Alcohol
An excessive consumption of alcohol can also lead to an electrolyte imbalance. Alcohol can also directly change the volume and composition of the fluid in the inner ear. Moreover, it causes damage to the cells in the ear, which can worsen the symptoms of vertigo.
Frozen cheese and meat
Both types of food are rich in amino acid and tyramine, which as discussed earlier are common triggers. People that are prone to migraine vertigo should avoid liverwurst, pepperoni, smoked sausages, or salami. Frozen cheeses such as Cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, brie, Roquefort, and provolone should also be avoided.
Alternatives such as fresh meat and fish, cottage cheese, ricotta, and American cheese should be included in your diet. If dairy products can cause a migraine, then nondairy products such as rice milk, tofu, and soy cheese should be used when cooking.
Medications that may cause or aggravate the symptoms of vertigo include:
Antacids
Antacids should also be avoided since they contain sodium. High levels of sodium will lead to water retention, which further leads to fluid accumulation within the inner ear.
NSAIDs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen may cause water retention and an electrolyte imbalance. Aspirin can also cause or worsen tinnitus in people who have vertigo.
Nicotine
Nicotine can make the symptoms of vertigo to become worse. The reason is that nicotine leads to a decrease in the amount of blood flowing to the inner ear. It does this by constricting the blood vessels of the inner ear. Another negative effect of nicotine is that it also increases blood pressure. A decreased blood flow to the inner ear and high blood pressure may make the symptoms of vertigo worse.
Other drugs such as anti-seizures, blood pressure medications, antibiotics, and antihistamines should also be avoided as they too can make the symptoms of vertigo worse.
Recommendations
A person who has vertigo needs a diet that is high in iron as well as low in cholesterol and sodium. Here are a few recommendations to help people with vertigo:
- Include more fish in the diet.
- Consume foods that are rich in magnesium help to reduce the symptoms of vertigo. Being magnesium-deficient can trigger the symptoms of vertigo. Foods that are rich in magnesium are nuts, green leafy vegetables, beans, and seeds. Provide the body with enough magnesium that it requires.
- Have whole grains rather than white bread.
- Opt for a veggie juice instead of sugary or carbonated drinks.
- Eat foods that are rich in minerals and vitamins such as B-complex, potassium, and niacin.
- Avoid foods that are high in trans fats.
- Anemia can also cause the symptoms of vertigo, so your diet must include fresh meat and vegetables, which are rich in iron.
- If there is a loss of fluid in your body, compensate it by drinking lots of water.
- Avoid caffeine because it triggers a migraine, vertigo, and causes dehydration.
- Avoid tyramine-containing foods (dry sausages, nonprocessed cheeses, and cured meat).
- If you have symptoms of nausea, eat alkaline foods such as nuts, fruits, and vegetables. It will keep the acid-alkaline balance in your body in check.
