Vertigo is a serious health concern that plagues countless patients. According to Everyday Health, almost 40% of people over 40 have experienced vertigo at least once in their lifetime. It's crucial to visit an ENT as soon as you suspect you have vertigo. Here's how ear doctors treat this issue.

Prescription Medications

There are several drugs that can be used to treat vertigo. Some of the most common prescription medications used to treat vertigo include antibiotics and antihistamines. These can be quite helpful if the condition is caused by fluid buildup or an infection in the inner ear. Some doctors also use motion sickness medications to help reduce nausea. If vertigo is caused by inflammation of the labyrinth, you can also see some improvement when steroids are injected behind the eardrum. To determine what drugs to use, the ear doctors first conduct a thorough examination and combine their findings with your symptoms and medical history.

Diet, Lifestyle, and Rehabilitation

There are some instances when simple diet and lifestyle changes can be quite effective at slowing down the development of vertigo. For instance, if the underlying cause is Meniere's disease, reducing your consumption of salt may yield positive results. Doctors may also use balance rehabilitation. This approach involves exercise and physical therapy. The aim here is to teach you how to compensate for your symptoms. Such a treatment program helps to reestablish balance, which goes a long way in reducing the risk of falling. This is why it's crucial to explain your symptoms in as much detail as you can to your ear doctor so they can use this information to your advantage.

Epley Maneuver and Surgery

This treatment is used by ear doctors to adjust the calcium crystals in your ear canal. Your doctor can teach you some at-home maneuvers that you can do on your own. In severe cases, surgical treatment might be the only effective option. However, ear doctors typically only recommend surgery after you've tried all the other methods without getting good results. Surgery is also suggested if your symptoms are interfering with your ability to live a normal life.

Vertigo treatment is multifaceted. It's important to visit an ENT as soon as you notice this problem. Are you suspecting that you may be suffering from vertigo? Get in touch with our team at Arizona Coast Ear Nose & Throat today if you have trouble finding ear doctors to provide you with care. We would love to hear from you.