Vertigo is a feeling of spinning even though you are on solid ground. Sometimes the sensation is strong enough to cause nausea and loss of balance. It’s different from dizziness, which is more like feeling you’re going to faint. Vertigo may last for a few minutes, or hours, or even days. The first consideration with vertigo is dehydration, although, ironically, vertigo can also be caused by fluid retention in the inner ear. Make sure you have been drinking adequate amounts of fluids, preferably water, especially if you’re working out or in a warm climate. Vertigo is a side-effect of some prescription drugs, notably steroids. If symptoms such as headaches, slurred speech, double vision or weakness in an arm or leg are also present, this is more serious and could mean multiple sclerosis, a mini-stroke or a brain tumor and you should see a neurologist (nerve doctor).

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This frequently debilitating, recurring problem, more common in women, can often be helped by complementary health care approaches. The prognosis for migraine headaches is favorable if your doctor takes the time to perform a thorough assessment and helps you learn to avoid migraine triggers, along with developing an individualized program for you which addresses the underlying biochemical factors in your system which increase the likelihood of migraines. With proper understanding of your nutritional status, your hormonal status, the stressors in our life, and your personal history with migraine (including therapies tried), your “alternative” health care provider will be able to develop a course of metabolic therapy for you. If you have frequent and severe migraines it is important to “rule-out” certain conditions.

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