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Vertigo –characterized by chronic
dizziness
and nausea—can be helped by taking supplemental ginger, a study published in
the journal “Otorhinolaryngol Related Specimens” found. In the study, a group
of vertigo
patients were given either ginger root extract or a placebo.
They
found that ginger helped reduce
symptoms of vertigo
better than the placebo. While researchers are unsure of how ginger works, they
hypothesize that ginger helps reduce inflammation in the area of the ears responsible for balance. It’s
not yet clear whether eating ginger as an herb will have the same beneficial effects.
Vertigo can be a frustrating
condition that requires dozens of tests and doctors’ appointments. However, a
pair of research studies note the importance of reducing sodium intake to
reduce one of the leading causes of vertigo,
Meniere’s disease.
The
first study, published in the Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America, notes
that limiting sodium-rich foods in the diet like canned and frozen foods is one
of the most effective treatments yet discovered for this common vertigo cause. The second research review, published by a team of
Spanish scientists, notes that aggressive treatment of Meniere’s disease
–including sodium reduction—is effective in more than 8 out of ten cases.
Ditch This to Reduce Vertigo
Symptoms
Regular
use of cotton swabs to clean out your ears can contribute to vertigo
and dizziness,
new research conducted by Henry Ford Hospital concludes. The research,
presented at last month’s Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meeting in Chicago,
found a direct link between cotton swab usage and vertigo
caused by ruptured ear drums.
The
ear drum damage, known as tympanic membrane perforation (TMP) was found to be a
more common underlying cause of vertigo than most ear, nose and throat doctors
realize. Importantly, the researchers found that more than 95% of TMP cases
healed naturally
without any medical treatment. The study authors recommend that people
suffering from vertigo discontinue the use of cotton swabs to clean their inner
ears.
Even more simple and easy ways to stop vertigo…
Can Rocker Shoes
Worsen Vertigo?
Not
long ago a reader emailed me asking if I had heard about the comments that are
coming out now regarding the ‘side effects’ of the clunky, inverted sole shoes
that are gaining in popularity.
Shoes
like these are marketed as fitness tools, with the presumption (supposedly
backed by research) that they will tone the backside, thighs, back, and
abdomen.
The
theory is that by causing ‘natural instability’ the wearer must work harder to
stay balanced, and the process to do this naturally tones leg, buttock, and
abdominal muscles.
I
am a little perplexed by the phrase ‘natural instability.’ What is so natural
about an expensive pair of shoes causing you to be off-balance?
The
jury seems to be out regarding the actual effectiveness. Certified fitness
trainers testing the shoes will tell you their studies show that they have no
measurable advantage over standard running shoes whatsoever.
But
these folks have a vested interest in them not working: who needs a trainer if
a pair of shoes and an everyday activity will tone you up.
The
shoemakers themselves have funded research studies that supposedly prove the
shoes make a real difference and deliver as promised, but again, vested
interest there.
So
I looked more into these shoes and the potential problems surrounding them
(aside from the price tag) and found a great many comments from podiatrists,
osteopaths, wearers, chiropractors, and others to suggest that they really
aren’t worth the money, considering the problems that crop up.
One
problem that everyone can agree upon is that because of the shoe’s unstable
nature, it is absolutely not recommended for people who experience vertigo
or dizziness,
or have balance problems. It can worsen the problems and make walking unsafe.
The
shoemakers themselves tout the shoe’s instability as the reason the show
‘works’ to get a wearer in better shape. It follows that adding instability to
the wardrobe of a vertigo sufferer is ill-advised.
Another
problem is that the shoes aggravate plantar fasciitis. This painful foot
condition generally requires the sufferer to carefully consider what they put
on their feet. Because many of the recommended shoes and orthotics can be very
expensive anyway, most experts say to stay away from them.
The
overriding concept everyone agreed upon is simply that no muscle is an island.
What you do to the feet will have consequences in the head. What you do to the
legs will have consequences in the back.
Remember
that old song that went something like, “the leg bone’s connected to the knee
bone?” Well, all of our body’s machination components are connected.
Interrupting the efficient working of one area of the musculoskeletal system
will more often than not cause problems elsewhere.
What
I found interesting, though, is people who loved the shoes found that wearing
them helped to alleviate back pain, especially if they were in a job that required long hours
standing or walking on hard, man-made surfaces such as concrete or linoleum.
It
makes sense considering that back pain sufferers find relief from therapy that gently works to
strengthen the lower back and also the fact that all that extra shoe sole
absorbs a ton of shock that would find its way into the lower back of someone
wearing a standard running or walking shoe.
So
what is the verdict…do we like them or hate them? I suppose it depends upon
what your goal is. If it’s fitness, I would offer that any walking routine will
help get you there, especially if you combine it with balance exercises,
stretching, proper diet, and proper amounts of un-tinkered-with water.
You
shouldn’t need a fancy-schmancy shoe to do that, especially if wearing it could
cause injury or other problems.
If
you have them and like what it does for your back than have at it. I would
rather see you investing in footwear than in the drug companies’ answers to
pain and inviting liver and kidney damage.
I
would like to hear your comments about this issue. If you have them, do you
like them?
This post is from the
Vertigo and Dizziness Program, which was created by Christian Goodman. This is
an all-natural system that utilizes the power of exercises to permanently cure
your vertigo and dizziness. This will help to eliminate tension and improve
your blood flow and balance.
From this Vertigo
Relief Program, you will learn to strengthen your tongue, achieve whole-body
balance, relieve tension and enhance your overall well-being.
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