Vertigo Woes

Vitamin D deficiency may be the underlying cause of vertigo according to a study in the journal Neurology.

This debilitating condition can develop when crystals in your inner ear become dislodged causing dizziness and nausea. Symptoms are usually triggered by changes in your head’s position when you lie down or sit up.

Around 1.6% of Americans experience benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) annually.

What is BPPV?

Benign means it isn’t harmful.

Paroxysmal means a sudden onset.

Positional means it occurs in some positions but not others or a changing of position.

Vertigo is the sensation that you, or the environment around you, is moving or spinning.

There is Hope

Simple movements that you can do at home often provides relief if not complete resolution.

The Epley maneuver can be found here.

The Semont maneuver can be found here.

These techniques can provide up to an 80% rate of resolution.

These movements work by moving the troublesome crystal into a less provoking position.

These maneuvers are great but BPPV can reoccur when there is an underlying problem.

The researchers at Seoul National University College of Medicine found that taking 500 IU of vitamin D and 500 mg of calcium twice daily can reduce annual recurrence by 45% if a patient has a vitamin D blood level below 10 nanograms per milliliter, and by 14% if his or her D level is 10-20 ng/mL.

Keep in mind:

• A deficiency this low would take some time to correct at these dosages.
• Calcium should be in a form that is safe for your blood vessels such as microcrystalline hydroxyapatite.
• Vitamin D3 is recommended to be taken with vitamin K2.
• 20 minutes of sun exposure a day, on skin without sunscreen and without sunglasses, is also recommended.

Who is Most At Risk?

The overall prevalence rate of vitamin D deficiency was 41.6%, with the highest rate seen in blacks (82.1%), followed by Hispanics (69.2%).

A sedentary, indoor lifestyle that is experienced by most Americans increases the likelihood of having a vitamin D deficiency, so get your levels checked at least yearly and know what that level is.

Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy levels around 70 ng/ml are optimal.

Let’s get you on your way today!