VESTIBULAR HYPOFUNCTION CAUSES, SYMPTOMS, DIAGNOSIS AND AYURVEDIC TREATMENT

ABSTRACT

Ears are sense organs which help to listen to the sound. It is categorized into 3 parts:- First one is the external ear, second is middle ear and the third is internal ear. Internal ear executes two vital functions:-Balance the body equilibrium and convert the waves into electrical energy which is transferred by auditory nerves to the brain. Abnormality of the inner ear leading to dizziness is known as vestibular hypofunction. This condition causes unbalancing of the body. So today we will read about the vestibular hypofunction in brief in this article and describe the management of this condition in the Ayurvedic aspect in detail.

INTRODUCTION

Vestibular hypofunction is a condition of the internal ear that is characterized by improper balance, troublesome concentration, disequilibrium and dizziness. It is caused by certain medications, infections, poor circulation in ear, trauma, nutrition deficiency, toxic substance, congenital condition etc.

CAUSES

• Idiopathic:- Mostly it is caused by an unknown cause.
• Calcium debris deposition in the
• Recurrent infection:- In some cases this disease is related to certain infections like Herpes simplex virus,  Cerebellitis, Encephalitis, Borrelia infection, Lues, Neuritis, Meningitis and Behcet’s disease etc.
• Metabolic/Toxic:- Some cases are due to toxicity of Furosemide, Amikacin, Aspirin, Antibiotics, Alcohol, Gentamicin, etc. Deficiency of some nutrients like vitamin B12, Folate and also linked with Styrene and Hypothyroidism poisoning.
• Autoimmune condition:- Susac’s syndrome, Celiac disease, Colitis, Sarcoidosis, Polyarteritis nodosa, Sjogren’s syndrome, Cogan’s syndrome, etc.
• Genetic mutation:- Mutation chromosome 11q, 5q, 22q, 6q, DFNA-9, DFNA-4, DFNA-11.
• Neurodegenerative condition:- Ataxia, Superficial siderosis, Polyneuropathy, Multiple system atrophy, etc.
• Congenital condition:- Alport syndrome, Usher syndrome, Enlarged vestibular aqueduct, Turner syndrome.
• Trauma:- Head injury, Iatrogenic.
• Other ear infection:- Otosclerosis, Meniere’s disease, Labyrinthitis and Cholesteatoma.

SYMPTOMS

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Poor balance
• Vision problem
• Unable to keep or maintain posture
• Difficulty in walking in crowded area
• Vertigo
• Oscillopsia
• Psychiatric or psychological symptoms
• Cognitive defects

DIAGNOSE

• Rotatory chair test
• Head impulse test (HIT)
• Audiometry
• Dynamic visual acuity test (DVA)
• Torsion swing test
• Caloric test
• Cerebral imaging
• Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP)
• Blood tests

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

• Meningitis
• Neurosyphilis
• Cerebellar syndrome
• Meniere’s disease
• Sarcoidosis
• Congenital malformations
• Post binaural cochlear implantation
• Cogan’s syndrome
• Sequential vestibular neuritis
• AIED (Autoimmune inner ear disease)
• Temporal bone fractures

TREATMENT

• Manage the etiology of vestibular hypofunction
• Antiemetics
• VRT (Vestibular rehabilitation therapy)
• Vestibular suppressants
• Yoga for maintain balance
• Surgical procedure

AYURVEDIC OVERVIEW

In Ayurveda, we can correlate vestibular hypofunction with bhrama in which vata and pitta dosha is vitiated and involvement of Raja guna. These factors affect the mind or brain and lead to the cause of bhrama. Brahma is described under the context of fainting (Murcha) that means loss of consciousness. That’s why bhrama is differ from murcha because a person with bhrama feels only spin or thing rotating around her or him. Bhrama is triggered due to disturbed balance or equilibrium of the body because of problems in the inner ear. It is caused by excess intake of vataj and pittaj diet like spicy, sour, fried, oily foods and excess stress and vitiated vata and pitta dosha and raja guna and develops the signs and symptoms of Bhrama which is closely related or resemble with vestibular hypofunction.

TREATMENT

In Ayurveda, treatment for bhrama is consume ghee or oil (Medicated sneha), therapeutic purgation, head massage, pouring of milk or medicated oil over head, paste formed from herbs can apply over head, medicated nasal drops, and filling oil into the ear (Karna Purana). Planet Ayurveda also provides herbal remedies for vestibular hypofunction which is very effective and described below.

HERBAL REMEDIES FOR VESTIBULAR HYPOFUNCTION BY PLANET AYURVEDA

Planet Ayurveda is the company which manufactures various types of herbal remedies for various disorders. The company follows the strict rule of the Ayurveda given in the ancient Samhita. All the herbal medicines are 100% pure, natural and vegetarian. All the Ayurvedic medicines are GMP certified and there are no added chemicals, yeast, additives and preservatives. All the medicines are safe to consume and very effective in various diseases. Planet Ayurveda provides herbal remedies for Vestibular hypofunction which is given below:-

1. Boswellia+Curcumin
2. Guggul capsules
3. Neurogenie capsules
4. Indian valeriana
5. Memory support

1. Boswellia+Curcumin

It is a polyherbal capsule containing haridra (Curcuma longa) and shallaki (Boswellia serrata). It is katu (Pungent) and tikta (Bitter). It is laghu (Light), ushna (Hot) and ruksha (Dry). It alleviates kapha dosha and vata dosha. It acts as an astringent, digestive, and anti-diabetic. It is very good for skin and helpful in blood formation. It contains vitamin A, minerals, volatile oils, protein and a rich amount of carbohydrates. It is a known anti allergic, diuretic, antioxidant, anti bacterial and carminative. It is indicated in blemishes, burns, liver diseases, autoimmune disorders and acne. It contains anti cancer properties which inhibit the tumors of colon and skin. It is also helpful in cuts and bruises because it is a natural antibiotic. It is an effective remedy for wounds, inflamed joints and sprains.

Dose:- 2 Capsule twice daily

2. Guggul capsules

It is a single herbal capsule made from guggul (Commiphora mukul). It is bitter in taste but hot in effect. It pacifies tridosha- Vata, pitta and kapha dosha. It is light, dry, unctuous, sharp and sticky in nature. It contains magnesium, volatile oil, iron, calcium and silicon dioxide. It is used in various joint problems like gout, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. It reduces pain, swelling and tenderness of the joints. It is alternative, anti atherogenic and has antihypercholesterolemic properties. It is anti lipemic as well as anti inflammatory. It is very beneficial in obesity. It lowers serum triglycerides and cholesterol levels. It stimulates expectancy, and is immunostimulant and promotes menstrual discharge.

Dose:- 1 Capsule twice daily

3. Neurogenie capsules

It is a polyherbal containing ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and brahmi (Bacopa monnieri). It is sweet, astringent and bitter in taste. It is slightly hot and light in effect. It is a pacifier of all the three doshas- vata, pitta and kapha dosha. It is a tranquilizer, a muscle relaxant, an antipyretic, an anticonvulsant, carminative, digestive and a good blood detoxifier. It is a choice of medication for vitiated vata dosha that governs the nervous system. It possesses various antioxidants and enhances learning power, memory and concentration. It binds the brain to bring cognitive functions and intellectual pursuits. It is indicated in splenomegaly, asthma, senile debility, skin diseases and ulcers. It has salutary effects in depression, insomnia, hypertension, anxiety, insanity, hysteria and mental retardation. It is beneficial in all types of epilepsy.

 Dose:- 2 Capsules twice daily

4. Indian valeriana

It is a single herbal capsule made from tagar (Valeriana wallichi). It is bitter, astringent and pungent in taste. It is light and slimy in nature and hot in potency. It balances tridosha-Vata, pitta and kapha dosha. It is a wound healer. It is indicated in psychiatric disorders, intoxication, epilepsy, eye problem, skin diseases, headache and colic abdominal pain. It induces good sleep. It is a good appetizer, digestive, carminative, analgesic, antispasmodic and antihypertensive. It soothes the mind and provides strength to nerves and prevents seizures.

Dose:- 1 Capsule twice daily

5. Memory support

It is a poly herbal capsule containing brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), vacha (Acorus calamus), etc. It is described as expectorant, good for the throat and a nervine tonic. It is sweet, bitter and pungent in taste and slightly hot, sharp, light, and dry in effect. It is an antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and wound healer medicine. It improves the complexion, relieves problems of the eyes, acts as a spermatogenic and an antacid agent and is also an effective general tonic. It alleviates kapha and vata but aggravates pitta dosha. It is a potent psychopharmacological agent having a positive effect on the memory and the learning process. It acts as an antiepileptic and antihysteric and possess carminative, digestive, diuretic and mildly sedative properties. It is very beneficial in anxiety, depression, mental retardation, stupor, syncope and epilepsy. It is useful in anorexia, chronic gas trouble, hypertension, sluggishness of the liver and also in skin diseases. It improves the voice, promotes body weight, allays fatigue and excessive thirst.

Dose:- 1 Capsule twice daily

Conclusion

In this article we read about the vestibular hypofunction in which the inner ear is not working properly which leads to an unbalanced system and develops various signs and symptoms. In Ayurveda, we correlate this disease with Bhrama. Herbs like brahmi, shankhpuspi, amalaki, guduchi, jatiphala, mulethi, ashwagandha, are very effective in this condition. Herbal remedies like Neurogenie capsules, Indian valeriana, Memory support works excellent in this disease.