The New Vertigo Medicine: The Sun

Positional vertigo is dizziness or unsteadiness caused by head motion. Vertigo can affect 15-20% of adults and account for about 25% of dizziness complaints. It is caused by the loosening and dislodgement of the crystals (otoconia) into the semicircular canals of your inner ear. This debris disrupts the flow of fluid which causes your brain to misinterpret head motion, causing dizziness.

More and more studies are proving a correlation between the recurrence of vertigo and Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency is a worldwide problem. This is due to variation in sun exposure, use of sunscreen, age and obesity. Vitamin D is required for calcium metabolism. The otoconia crystals are comprised of calcium carbonate. A deficiency in vitamin D can affect the density and matrix of these crystals, which in turn has been noted as a key element in the pathogenesis of vertigo.

Several studies have shown a high prevalence of vertigo in individuals with low Vitamin D levels. It has also shown a higher level of recurrence of vertigo in these individuals as well. Further research shows that this can be decreased with supplementation. If you are someone that suffers from recurring vertigo maybe there is a fix! We can evaluate your vitamin D levels through blood work. Vitamin D can be toxic so please do not supplement without consultation from a medical professional that has evaluated you. Working with our nurse practitioner, Karin, for appropriate supplementation in addition to vestibular rehabilitation with our PT, Erin, may be the solution to finally resolve your dizziness.

Sources:

Link: One

Two: Decreased Serum Vitamin D in idiopathic benign paroxysmal positional vertigo Seong-Hae Jeong et al. August 2012 J Neurol (2013) 260:832-838

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