Vestibular Hypofunction Causes, Symptoms, and Herbal Treatment

ABSTRACT

Ears are one of the paired organs in our body, which helps in first of all hearing and then balancing. There are many conditions that can affect ears and hamper its functioning. When sound waves launch into the ear canal the eardrum (tympanic membrane) vibrates. Vibration shifts to the ossicles and amplifies. These soundwaves then transmit into the inner ear. There are tiny hair cells inside that send electrical waves up to the Brain and make one hear that voice. How the ears help in balancing, the inner ear consists of semicircular canals that are filled with hair like sensors and fluid. When one moves the head that fluid moves the hair cells in the canal. Then it transmits the information with the vestibular nerve, then the Brain passes signals to the body to stay balanced. So if there is deformity in the ear system one may suffer from various hearing and balance issues. About one such balancing issue we are going to discuss in this given article that is Vestibular Hypofunction. So let’s have a look!!!!!

INTRODUCTION

Varun Dhawan, a famous Bollywood Actor was recently diagnosed with Vestibular Hypofunction. He said that I just shut down, my balance goes off, but I am pushing myself hard. As we are in this running world and there is a great purpose why we are here in this world. So I am trying to search for mine and you must have to go searching for your own. Vestibular Hypofunction means when the inner ear part of the balance system is not working properly. The vestibular system is situated in the inner ear and helps in maintaining body balance along with the muscles and eyes. When this system is not working properly then it sends wrong messages to the Brain and a person will feel dizziness and vertigo. These disorders can occur at any age but most commonly it affects the old age people. The ear consists of a complex system of cartilages and bones and within it there is a network of canals  that are known as semicircular canals which are filled with fluid. This whole system assists in maintaining the balance of the body, if it gets disturbed it leads to Vestibular Hypotension. Let’s discuss this disease in detail as below!!!

SOME FACTS ABOUT VESTIBULAR HYPOFUNCTION

• This is a chronic condition
• If this condition will not recover it will lead to various dynamic signs that can persist for lifelong
• When one turns their head towards the affected labyrinth, they may experience imbalance and blurred vision.
• Most patients are able to easily walk without any difficulty within 48 hours and many of them return to their normal activity within 2 weeks.

CAUSES OF VESTIBULAR HYPOFUNCTION

There are various causes of Vestibular Hypofunction, common one are listed below

• Inner ear problems like poor circulation and various previous problems
• Ear infections
• Accumulation of calcium debris inside semicircular canals.
• Vestibular Neuritis
• Labyrinthitis
• Due to aging
• Any traumatic injury like concussion
• Blood clots in Brain or Brain tumors

SYMPTOMS OF VESTIBULAR HYPOFUNCTION

The symptoms of this condition usually depends upon the cause, following are the common symptoms one may experience in case of Vestibular Hypofunction

• Feeling imbalanced
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Disorientation
• Stumbling;
• Falling
• Feeling of floating
• Feeling the world is spinning

Following are some less common symptoms experienced by patients with  Vestibular Hypofunction

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fear
• Anxiety
• Irregular heart rhythm

DIAGNOSIS OF VESTIBULAR HYPOFUNCTION

For diagnosing this condition Physician will check on Era, nose and throat as well. There are various conditions that can lead to lightheadedness or dizziness so the diagnosis part must be carried forward very carefully. After taking review over the medical history the Physician will perform the following examinations

• Blood tests
• Vision examination
• Hearing examination
• Clinical test to evaluate balance
• Certain imaging tests for Brain and Head

AYURVEDIC VIEW OF VESTIBULAR HYPOFUNCTION

Ayurveda is a wonderful ancient holistic system of healing. This holistic system has been working for more than 3000 years. Ayurveda assists in maintaining health of the individual as well as helps in  alleviating any of the diseased conditions or health issues. Earlier we read about the condition of Vestibular hypofunction as per modern science, Ayurveda consider this condition as a result of vitiated Vata Dosha. Mainly if we talk about Vata Dosha this condition is considered as Pranavrita Vyana Vayu. The symptoms of Pranavrita Vyana Vayu are hindrance in functioning of all the sense organs and depletion of mental power, treatment can be done the same as that of the treatment in all diseases of upper clavicle region.

The main symptom of this condition is Brahma. Brahma is one of the common Manas Vyadhi. In this condition mainly Vata and Pitta Sharirika Dosha is involved  and Raj mansa dosha is involved. In this condition due to depletion of tama guna one may lose consciousness. In this condition one may feel everything is revolving around him and as per modern this symptom is known as vertigo. According to Madhava Nidaan (Brahma Roga) a person with Brahma roga may experience symptoms such as revolving of head and person may get fainted again and again.

Line of treatment for this condition is considered as following

• Nidaan Parivarjan: It includes the causes due to which this condition is caused to be avoided.
• Virechana: Virechana karma assist in managing Pitta dosha, for this purpose is it to be done is case of vestibular hypofunction
• Basti karma: As we read earlier Vata dosha dosha vitiation is one of the causes of Vestibular Hypofunction. Basti is one of the best Treatment for Vata dosha, so by giving Basti we can manage the condition of Vestibular hypofunction.
• Sansarjana krama: Sansarjana Krama is a special diet regimen that is to be followed after Vaman and virechana karma, so this diet is advised after performing virechana karma.
• Shamana Chikitsa:
• Drink coconut water mixing with sugar
• Decoction of Duralabha Fagonia cretica mix with cow’s ghee and rock sugar
• Give Rasayan herbs mixing with Cow’s milk and rock sugar
• Karana Poorana: In this procedure ears are filled with warm herbal medicated oil. This remedy is effective for all kinds of ear disorders. This full procedure includes filling of oil in ear, head and neck massage. The procedure lasts for 30 minutes.

HERBAL REMEDIES BY PLANET AYURVEDA FOR VESTIBULAR HYPOFUNCTION

Planet Ayurveda is a company which makes various herbal remedies that can be taken for getting rid of any disease condition or preventing yourself from any kind of health concern. All the remedies are prepared under the guidance of M.D. Ayurveda practitioners. The formulations are free from any kind of added preservatives, fillers, colours, synthesised material, raisins, etc. Planet Ayurveda has various distributors across the globe who operate from the exclusive outlets from various parts of the world. The products by Planet Ayurveda can very well handle Vestibular Hypofunction and give impressive results. Planet Ayurveda offers the following listed herbs for managing the same, let’s discuss how each and every product assists in managing the same.

• BOSWELLIA CURCUMIN
• GUGGUL CAPSULES
• NEUROGENIE CAPSULES
• INDIAN VALERIANA
• MEMORY SUPPORT

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

1. BOSWELLIA CURCUMIN

Boswellia Curcumin is one of the polyherbal formulations of Planet Ayurveda available in capsule form. These capsules consist of standardised extract of herbs like Shallaki (Boswellia Serrata) and Haridra (Curcuma longa). Both these herbs have wonderful rejuvenating effects so it prevents the damage to the vestibular nerve. These are miraculous analgesics so if someone faces pain in case of Vestibular Hypofunction that will be reduced with these capsules.

Dosage: 2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.

2. GUGGUL CAPSULES

Guggul Capsules is a single herbal capsule formulation prepared by Planet Ayurveda. These capsules are made up of standardised extract of Guggul (Commiphora mukul). Guggul is one of the best ayurvedic antioxidants. As in this condition there may be damage to the Vestibular nerve so to prevent that further damage must consume Planet Ayurveda’s Guggul Capsules. This remedy is also very effective in reducing anxiety, fear, etc.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice daily with plain water after meals

3. NEUROGENIE CAPSULES

Nuerogenie Capsules is a miraculous capsule formulation which maintains the health of the Nervous System. These capsules consist of standardised extract of herbs like Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) and Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). Both these herbs have rejuvenating, memory boosting, antioxidant and adaptogenic properties. These properties of  the herbal remedy make it effective in reducing symptoms such as fear, anxiety, irregular heart rhythm, feeling imbalance, etc.

Dosage: 2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.

4. INDIAN VALERIANA

Indian Valeriana is one of the capsule formulations made up by Planet Ayurveda that is categorized under the single herbal capsule formulation. These capsules consist of standardized extract of herb Tagar (Valeriana wallichii). This herb has hypnotic, sedative, anticonvulsant and antidepressant properties. Also tagar have anxiolytic properties that assists in reducing anxiety. So these properties of Tagar make it effective in the management of the symptoms of Vestibular hypofunction.

Dosage:1 capsule twice daily with plain water after meals.

MEMORY SUPPORT

Memory support is one of the polyherbal capsule formulations of Planet ayurveda. These herbal capsules consists of standardized extract of herbs like Brahmi  (Bacopa monnieri), Vacha (Acorus calamus), Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and  Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis). As the name suggests this remedy is effective in boosting the memory power by supporting Brain activity. All the herbs present in these capsules effectively promote the activity of the vestibular nerve and regulate the balance of the body, thus helping in managing Vestibular Hypofunction.

Dosage:1 capsule twice daily with plain water after meals.

CONCLUSION

Vestibular Hypofunction means when the inner ear part of the balance system is not working properly. The balance of the body is maintained by the Vestibular system and when this system is not working properly due to some reasons then a person may face failure in balancing their body. Common causes of Vestibular Hypofunction includes ear infections, Labyrinthitis, Due to aging, Any traumatic injury like concussion, Blood clots in Brain or Brain tumors. Symptoms of this condition include Feeling imbalanced, Dizziness, Blurred vision, Disorientation, Stumbling, Falling, Feeling of floating, etc. As per Ayurveda this condition can be correlated to Pranavrita Vyana Vayu and its main symptom is considered as Brahma. For managing this condition Planet Ayurveda provides various herbal remedies that you can consume to manage your vestibular hypofunction.