Living with chronic vertigo can be challenging, affecting your daily activities, confidence, and well-being. The constant dizziness, unsteadiness, and uncertainty can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone—there are ways to manage and improve your quality of life.
With the right strategies and support, such as physiotherapy, you can regain control and feel more stable. At Integrity Physiotherapy, we’re here to guide you with practical advice and compassionate care, helping you move forward with confidence.
What is chronic vertigo?
Chronic vertigo is a persistent condition that causes a spinning sensation, dizziness, and balance issues, often disrupting daily life. Unlike occasional dizziness, chronic vertigo can be ongoing or recurrent, making it difficult to perform routine tasks such as walking, driving, or even standing up. It often stems from issues within the inner ear or brain, which affect the body’s balance system.
Common causes of chronic vertigo
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): Tiny crystals in the inner ear become dislodged, triggering vertigo with certain head movements.
- Ménière’s Disease: A buildup of fluid in the inner ear, causing vertigo, ringing in the ears, and hearing loss.
- Vestibular Migraines: Dizziness and balance issues related to migraines, sometimes without a headache.
- Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: Infections that inflame the inner ear, leading to sudden and severe dizziness.
Coping strategies for daily life that we recommend
1. Manage your movements
- Move your head slowly and avoid sudden changes in position.
- When getting out of bed, sit up slowly and pause before standing.
- Squat instead of bending over to pick up items.
2. Create a safe environment
- Keep your home well-lit to avoid disorientation in the dark.
- Remove trip hazards such as loose rugs or cluttered walkways.
- Use grab bars in bathrooms and handrails on stairs for added stability.
3. Lifestyle modifications
- Stay hydrated and maintain a balanced diet to support inner ear health.
- Limit caffeine, alcohol, and salt intake, which can affect fluid balance in the inner ear.
- Practice stress-reducing activities like deep breathing or meditation, as stress can worsen vertigo symptoms.
4. Use support when needed
- Consider using a cane or walking stick for extra stability in challenging environments.
- Sit down as soon as you feel dizzy to prevent falls.
- Let family, friends, or coworkers know about your condition so they can offer assistance when necessary.
Treatment options for chronic vertigo
Effective treatment for chronic vertigo depends on the underlying cause. While some cases improve on their own, others may require medical or physiotherapy intervention and lifestyle changes to manage symptoms and prevent recurrence.
Vestibular physiotherapy
Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is a specialised form of physiotherapy designed to retrain your balance system. A physiotherapist can guide you through exercises that improve stability, reduce dizziness, and help your body adapt to balance challenges. These exercises may include:
- Eye and head movement coordination.
- Balance retraining exercises.
- Techniques to improve gait and reduce fall risks.
Repositioning manoeuvres
For vertigo caused by BPPV, manoeuvres such as the Epley manoeuvre can be highly effective. These guided head and body movements help reposition displaced inner ear crystals, relieving symptoms quickly. A physiotherapist or healthcare provider can perform these manoeuvres or teach you how to do them at home.
Medications
In some cases, medications may be prescribed to alleviate vertigo symptoms, especially if they are severe or accompanied by nausea. You may be given:
- Vestibular suppressants (e.g., antihistamines) to reduce dizziness.
- Anti-nausea medications to manage motion sickness.
- Diuretics for conditions like Ménière’s disease to reduce fluid buildup in the inner ear.
Surgical intervention
In rare cases, when other treatments are ineffective, surgical options may be considered. Procedures may involve repairing inner ear structures or addressing underlying neurological issues. However, surgery is typically a last resort we’d recommend when vertigo severely impacts quality of life.
The role of physiotherapy in vertigo movement
Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in managing vertigo by addressing balance issues, improving stability, and helping to reduce dizziness. At Integrity Physiotherapy, our tailored vestibular physiotherapy programs focus on identifying the root cause of your vertigo and providing targeted treatments to restore confidence in your daily activities.
Commonly, a physio will utilise VRT to retain your balance system and improve coordination. Treatment may include:
- Canalith repositioning manoeuvers: Effective for conditions like BPPV, these manoeuvers help reposition displaced inner ear crystals to alleviate symptoms.
- Balance and gaze stabilisation exercises: Designed to improve stability and reduce dizziness during movement.
- Manual therapy: Helpful for cervical dizziness by addressing neck stiffness and improving mobility.
To learn more, check out our blog on 5 exercises to help with vertigo for practical exercises that we recommend you do at home to manage your symptoms and regain confidence.
When should you seek medical help?
While vertigo can often be managed with lifestyle changes and physiotherapy, it’s important to seek medical attention if your symptoms persist, worsen, or interfere with your daily life. We recommend that you seek advice from your GP or physiotherapist if you experience any of the following:
- Frequent or worsening vertigo episodes that impact your ability to function.
- Persistent dizziness accompanied by nausea or vomiting.
- Unsteadiness leading to falls or near falls.
- Hearing loss, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), or a feeling of fullness in the ear.
- Sudden, severe vertigo with headache, vision changes, or difficulty speaking.
- Weakness, numbness, or tingling in the face or limbs.
- Loss of consciousness or severe imbalance.
Even if you’re unsure whether your symptoms require medical attention, it’s always best to consult your GP or physiotherapist for guidance and reassurance.
Take control of your vertigo with the right support
Dealing with vertigo and dizziness can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone. At Integrity Physiotherapy, we understand how much these symptoms can impact your daily life, and we’re here to help you find relief. With our personalised vestibular physiotherapy in South Perth, we focus on treating the root cause of your vertigo, helping you regain your balance and confidence.
Book an appointment with us today, and let’s work together to get you back to feeling like yourself again.
