{"id":4235,"date":"2025-07-10T15:30:29","date_gmt":"2025-07-10T13:30:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.praxisklinik-goethe10.de\/?p=4235"},"modified":"2025-08-26T15:20:58","modified_gmt":"2025-08-26T13:20:58","slug":"treating-vertigo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.praxisklinik-goethe10.de\/en\/treating-vertigo\/","title":{"rendered":"Treating vertigo: Tips for alleviating the symptoms"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A sudden feeling as if the ground is swaying under your feet or everything is spinning can be unsettling. Vertigo is one of the most common types of dizziness and can have a major impact on everyday life and quality of life. Many sufferers report feeling unsteady when walking, difficulty climbing stairs or the feeling of losing the ground beneath their feet. This makes it all the more important to recognise the causes and treat them in a targeted manner. Modern treatment options can help to stabilise balance and regain confidence in your own body.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div>

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What is vertigo?<\/h3>\n

This is a form of vertigo in which those affected have the feeling that they are swaying, rocking or standing on a boat - even though there is no actual movement. The surroundings do not rotate (as with Rotational vertigo<\/a>), but rather gives the impression of insecurity and instability when standing or walking.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> \t

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Symptoms of vertigo<\/h3>\n

The intensity and frequency of these symptoms can vary greatly from person to person. Anyone who experiences such symptoms frequently should consult a doctor to determine whether there is an underlying organic or functional cause.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> \t

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\r\n\r\n\t \r\n Feeling of swaying or staggering without the surroundings moving <\/span>\r\n<\/span>\r\n\r\n \r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/span>\r\n<\/span>\r\n<\/h4>\r\n
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Those affected have the impression that their body swings slightly back and forth or sways - similar to being on a boat in waves. The field of vision remains completely stable: nothing rotates, nothing blurs and the surroundings do not visibly change either. Nevertheless, there is a feeling of being off balance or not standing securely on your feet.<\/p>\n

This sensation often occurs suddenly or intensifies when walking, in crowds or when looking into larger rooms. Some also describe it as \"bottomlessness\" or the feeling that the floor is giving way under your feet.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> <\/div>\r\n<\/div>

\r\n\r\n\t \r\n Unsteadiness when standing or walking <\/span>\r\n<\/span>\r\n\r\n \r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/span>\r\n<\/span>\r\n<\/h4>\r\n
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Many sufferers feel unstable, as if they are not fully \"grounded\" or as if they could lose their balance at any time. When walking, they often have the impression that they cannot control their legs properly or that the ground beneath them is uneven, even though everything is actually normal. This insecurity is often exacerbated in open spaces, on bridges, escalators or in the dark.<\/p>\n

When standing, for example in a queue or in the shower, it can feel as if you have to hold on tight to avoid falling over. This constant feeling of instability leads to avoidance behaviour and severe psychological stress for many people.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> <\/div>\r\n<\/div>

\r\n\r\n\t \r\n Impaired balance, especially on uneven ground or in the dark <\/span>\r\n<\/span>\r\n\r\n \r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/span>\r\n<\/span>\r\n<\/h4>\r\n
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In situations in which the balance system is under greater strain - for example when walking on cobblestones, on grass or in sand - the symptoms are often particularly noticeable.<\/p>\n

Those affected report that they feel as if they are about to tip over or lose their footing at such times. Darkness or poor visibility can also affect balance, as visual stimuli are no longer an important orientation aid. Without this visual stabilisation, it is more difficult for the body to reliably perceive its own position in space, which often further increases the feeling of insecurity.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> <\/div>\r\n<\/div>

\r\n\r\n\t \r\n Occasional accompanying nausea or drowsiness <\/span>\r\n<\/span>\r\n\r\n \r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/span>\r\n<\/span>\r\n<\/h4>\r\n
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The unpleasant feeling of dizziness can not only affect your balance, but also your general well-being. Some sufferers experience mild to moderate nausea during periods of dizziness - similar to travel sickness.<\/p>\n

This effect can be particularly pronounced when moving or changing position quickly. Drowsiness often accompanies this: a diffuse, wobbly state in which everything slows down or feels \"as if in a fog\".<\/p>\n

This sensation is not a circulatory problem in the classic sense, but is related to the disturbed processing of balance stimuli in the brain. The combination of dizziness, nausea and light-headedness can be very unsettling and severely restrict your ability to cope with everyday stress.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> <\/div>\r\n<\/div>

\r\n\r\n\t \r\n Increased discomfort in stressful situations or in crowds <\/span>\r\n<\/span>\r\n\r\n \r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/span>\r\n<\/span>\r\n<\/h4>\r\n
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Swaying vertigo can also increase significantly under mental stress. The feeling of instability can increase in stressful moments or busy environments - for example in shopping centres, train stations or at events.<\/p>\n

The body reacts to stress with increased muscle tension and heightened alertness, which can also influence the perception of balance disorders.<\/p>\n

In crowds, this is aggravated by the fact that visual landmarks are constantly in motion. This overstrains the already sensitive balance system. The result: the feeling of swaying increases, combined with inner restlessness or even panic. This connection between dizziness and mental stress often leads to a cycle of uncertainty and avoidance.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> <\/div>\r\n<\/div>

\r\n\r\n\t \r\n Fear of falling or losing control <\/span>\r\n<\/span>\r\n\r\n \r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/span>\r\n<\/span>\r\n<\/h4>\r\n
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The persistent feeling of unsteadiness when standing or walking can quickly lead to a deep-seated fear - namely that of suddenly falling or no longer being able to control oneself properly. This concern not only affects older people, but also younger people who normally move around safely.<\/p>\n

It is particularly stressful that there is often no objective reason for a fall, but the feeling of instability is very real. Many people therefore withdraw from everyday life, avoiding public transport or longer journeys, for example.<\/p>\n

The fear of losing control can become so strong that it triggers other symptoms - such as palpitations, sweating or breathlessness. This often results in a spiral of reciprocal stress: the anxiety intensifies the dizziness, and the dizziness in turn feeds the anxiety.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> <\/div>\r\n<\/div>

\r\n\r\n\t \r\n Muscle tension, especially in the neck and shoulder area <\/span>\r\n<\/span>\r\n\r\n \r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/span>\r\n<\/span>\r\n<\/h4>\r\n
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Many people with vertigo experience persistent tension in the neck, shoulders and upper back. This muscle tension can be both the cause and the consequence of vertigo.<\/p>\n

On the one hand, they impair blood circulation and nerve supply in the head and neck area, which can have a direct impact on the balance system. On the other hand, the constant feeling of insecurity often unconsciously leads to a cramped posture - for example by permanently tensing the shoulders or a cautious gait. This posture puts additional strain on the muscles and exacerbates the symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> <\/div>\r\n<\/div>

\r\n\r\n\t \r\n Concentration problems or the feeling of \"being beside yourself\" <\/span>\r\n<\/span>\r\n\r\n \r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/span>\r\n<\/span>\r\n<\/h4>\r\n
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Many sufferers experience a mental void or a kind of \"trance state\" during or after a period of dizziness. Many sufferers describe how they find it difficult to concentrate, find it hard to grasp thoughts and even everyday tasks take a lot of energy.<\/p>\n

This sensation is often described as \"like being beside oneself\" or \"not quite being there\". The result is a feeling of alienation from one's own body or surroundings - without loss of consciousness, but with significantly reduced alertness.<\/p>\n

Such symptoms can be the result of constant inner tension or overstimulation of the vestibular system. Psychological factors such as anxiety, stress or exhaustion also often contribute to this type of impairment. The experience not only affects performance, but often also self-confidence in everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> <\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\t

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Causes of vertigo<\/h3>\n

The Dizziness<\/a> can have various triggers - from physical disorders and psychological stress to dysfunctions in the balance system. The most common causes are<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> \t

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\r\n\r\n\t \r\n Disturbances in the vestibular system <\/span>\r\n<\/span>\r\n\r\n \r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/span>\r\n<\/span>\r\n<\/h4>\r\n
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The Balance system<\/a> is located in the inner ear and consists of three semicircular canals and the vestibule with the utricle and saccule. It registers movements and changes in the position of the body. The sensory impressions are transmitted to the brain via the vestibular nerve. There they are compared with impressions from the eyes and the muscles. Only this interaction enables a stable posture and safe orientation in space.<\/p>\n

If there is a disruption within this system, the signals become unbalanced. The brain receives contradictory or incorrect information, which leads to feelings of dizziness.<\/p>\n

The most common causes of vertigo in the area of the inner ear include<\/p>\n

Vestibular neuritis<\/h5>\n

A sudden, usually unilateral inflammation of the vestibular nerve, which can occur after a viral infection, for example. It leads to severe dizziness, initially often with nausea and vomiting. Later, some sufferers are left with diffuse vertigo.<\/p>\n

Meniere's disease<\/h5>\n

This disease of the inner ear causes excess pressure due to fluid accumulation (endolymph hydrops). Typical for Meniere's disease<\/a> are paroxysmal rotary vertigo, hearing loss and Ringing in the ears<\/a>. Persistent vertigo may persist between attacks.<\/p>\n

Age-related changes<\/h5>\n

With age, the function of the vestibular system deteriorates - often accompanied by Hearing loss<\/a>. These gradual changes often lead to increasing unsteadiness when walking, especially on uneven surfaces or at dusk.<\/p>\n

Other diseases of the inner ear - such as a perilymphatic fistula, benign tumours (e.g. vestibular schwannoma) or labyrinthitis - can also disrupt the vestibular system and cause vertigo. A thorough diagnosis in our ENT clinic in Frankfurt<\/a> is important in order to determine the exact cause and initiate targeted treatment.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> <\/div>\r\n<\/div>

\r\n\r\n\t \r\n Cervical spine problems and tension <\/span>\r\n<\/span>\r\n\r\n \r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/span>\r\n<\/span>\r\n<\/h4>\r\n
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Blockages or tension in the cervical spine or neck muscles can disrupt the processing of signals between the body and brain. This form of dizziness occurs particularly when sitting for long periods, in poor posture or after accidents (e.g. whiplash).<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> <\/div>\r\n<\/div>

\r\n\r\n\t \r\n Circulatory disorders <\/span>\r\n<\/span>\r\n\r\n \r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/span>\r\n<\/span>\r\n<\/h4>\r\n
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Reduced blood flow to certain areas of the brain - e.g. due to low blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmia or vasoconstriction - can affect balance. This can manifest itself in the form of non-specific vertigo.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> <\/div>\r\n<\/div>

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Certain drugs such as tranquillisers, antihypertensives, antidepressants or strong analgesics can cause a feeling of dizziness as a side effect.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> <\/div>\r\n<\/div>

\r\n\r\n\t \r\n Psychological causes (functional dizziness) <\/span>\r\n<\/span>\r\n\r\n \r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/span>\r\n<\/span>\r\n<\/h4>\r\n
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Anxiety disorders, depression or chronic stress play a central role in many people with vertigo. In these cases, there is no organic cause - but the feeling of dizziness is nevertheless real and stressful. Diffuse dizziness is typical, which intensifies under stress or in stressful situations.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> <\/div>\r\n<\/div>

\r\n\r\n\t \r\n Neurological diseases <\/span>\r\n<\/span>\r\n\r\n \r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/span>\r\n<\/span>\r\n<\/h4>\r\n
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In rare cases, vertigo can be the first sign of diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease or a cerebellar disorder. A thorough neurological examination is therefore important if the symptoms are unclear or persistent.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> <\/div>\r\n<\/div>

\r\n\r\n\t \r\n Age-related balance disorders <\/span>\r\n<\/span>\r\n\r\n \r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/span>\r\n<\/span>\r\n<\/h4>\r\n
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With increasing age, vision, muscle strength and the ability of the balance system to react deteriorate. The interplay of sensory stimuli becomes less precise - the feeling of insecurity when walking or standing becomes more frequent.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> <\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\t

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Treating vertigo: Therapy depends on the trigger - precise diagnosis is necessary<\/h3>\n

Before an effective treatment of vertigo can take place, a thorough diagnosis is always the first step. This is because vertigo is not a disease in its own right, but a symptom with many possible causes. Targeted therapy is therefore only possible if the underlying disorder has been clearly recognised. Diagnostics can include the following steps:<\/p>\n

Detailed anamnesis<\/h5>\n

The first step is a detailed discussion with you. This will involve, among other things<\/p>\n