Medications used for treating vertigo

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Vertigo can manifest itself as really unsettling symptoms such as everything spinning and dizziness with a feeling of nausea and vomiting; you might feel like you are being pulled down. Part of the treatment for the condition often involves using drugs to treat these symptoms as well as the underlying causes. We will examine some of these drugs here. As well as the drugs that are currently used by physicians there are also other drugs being tested alternative remedies that seem to have food results.

VESTIBULAR SUPPRESSANTS

The most common medication for treating vertigo is vestibular suppressants. One of the symptoms of vertigo is nystagmus; an involuntarily controlled eye movement that occurs as part of vertigo. The vestibular system is what helps the brain deal with balance and our position in space. Vestibular suppressants work by dampening down nystagmus. These drugs are also used for motion sickness and it is claimed that generally any drug that works well with motion sickness can help with vertigo. Examples of vestibular suppressants include; ativan, valium, and amitriptyline.

ANTICHOLINERGICS

Anticholinergics are another type of drug that is used in motion sickness that can work well with vertigo. These drugs work by increasing our tolerance for motion and so reducing the unpleasantness associated with vertigo. These don't tend to work well if the symptoms have already appeared.

ANTHISTAMINES

Antihistamines have anticholinergics properties but they can be used after the symptoms have started.

ANTIEMETICS

Antiemetics are used to control nausea and they can be useful in treating vertigo as this is a common symptom. Many antiemetics work by stopping the signals that tell the brain stem that the body needs to vomit and so you experience nausea; these signals are sent inappropriately during vertigo.

NATURAL VERTIGO REMEDIES

As well as the usual vertigo remedies used by the medical professionals there are also natural remedies that have been found to be useful. Ginger is well known for treating motion sickness and seems to work well with vertigo. Ginko Biloba is also believed to reduce the symptoms of vertigo by increasing blood flow to the middle ear. Tanacetum parthenium can work by reducing inflammation in the middle ear. Vinpocetine is also viewed as having properties which stimulate the brain and reduce the symptoms of vertigo. Homeopathic remedies are also having great success: Homeopathic remedies and what you can do with vertigo

As well as these drug treatments there are also other non-pharmacological ways of dealing with the problem:

The Epley Maneuvers

The most common cause of vertigo is benign postural vertigo and this is caused by loose crystals moving around in the inner ear and interfering with the normal functioning of the vestibular system. When this is the case it will often be moving these particles out of their current position that will be the focus of the treatment. In these cases different manoeuvres of the head will be the real mainstay of treatment. It is often the case though, that pharmaceutical agents are useful with dealing with the unpleasant symptoms that are caused by vertigo such as nausea and that awful spinning feeling.

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