A Portrait of Paul

A Portrait of Paul, by Mary Stebbins Taitt.

See original smudge painting.
See sepiaed version.

Vertigo!

I am having an episode of vertigo. It started before 7 AM when I got up and has lasted over 2 hours so far and is not gone yet. It seems to rise and fall in intensity. The room and everything in it is "spinning." It had the senses of spinning but actually appears to repeatedly move off to one side. It is accompanied by a feeling of dizziness and a slight sense of nausea that also rises and falls. I am having trouble functioning. I stagger and lurch when I walk, and when I look at the computer screen, it moves to one side and makes me dizzy and nauseous. I had a terrible time making the bed.

My Neurologist, Dr. Moudgil, says that my "Vertigo Episodes" could be caused by my brain tumor, which is in the area of the brain associated with balance.

I also wonder if it could be caused or triggered or affected by my food sensitivities. I know everyone will laugh at this notion, but the reason I wonder this is that this episode is accompanied by fevers and sweats, restlessness, poor sleep and other symptoms that have been related to food sensitivities in the past. This could be coincidental because I ate out last night.

So far, all my episodes of vertigo have begun with getting up in the morning.

Vertigo can also be caused by vestibular (inner ear) disorders.

I just did some research and learned that diet CAN affect vertigo! Here are some dietary considerations:

General Guidelines

Dietary strategies for regulating fluid balances involve modifying the amount of certain substances consumed (and reducing fluctuations in those amounts), as well as reducing or eliminating other substances that can adversely affect the inner ear. Components of these dietary strategies include:

• Distributing food and fluid intake evenly throughout the day and from day to day.
• Avoiding foods and beverages that have a high sugar or salt content. Foods with complex sugars (e.g., those found in legumes and whole grains) are better choices than foods with a high concentration of simple sugars (e.g., table sugar and honey). Sodium intake also affects body-fluid levels and their regulation. Each individual's physician will be the best judge of appropriate levels of sodium intake.
• Drinking adequate amounts of fluid daily. If possible, fluid loss from exercise or heat should be anticipated, and extra fluids drunk before and during exercise and in hot weather.
• Avoiding foods and beverages with caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant that can make tinnitus louder. Its diuretic properties also cause excessive urinary loss of body fluids.
• Limiting or eliminating alcohol consumption. Alcohol can directly and adversely affect the inner ear by changing the volume and composition of its fluid.
• Avoiding migraine triggers including foods that contain the amino acid tyramine. Examples of such foods include red wine, chicken liver, smoked meats, yogurt, chocolate, bananas, citrus fruits, figs, ripened cheeses (e.,g., cheddar and Brie), and nuts.

Non-dietary substances

Some non-dietary substances can increase symptoms of vestibular disorders as well. Aspirin can increase tinnitus, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, can interfere cause water retention or electrolyte imbalance.

Note that last night I had one and 7/8 large glasses of beer which is very unusual for me. It says above (and bears repeating) that: Alcohol can directly and adversely affect the inner ear by changing the volume and composition of its fluid. SO there are two possible causes for my problem: the tumor, and unusual alcohol consumption. However, since I eat simple sugars daily and do not experience vertigo daily, the dietary connection may not be the case of my problem.

I am still experiencing some vertigo 2 1/2 hours after it started.