CIRCULATION

The equilibrium organ is the seat of the sense of balance. This is a sensory perception mechanism necessary for movement coordination, balance as well as orientation of the body in space. The equilibrium organ, also called the vestibule organ, belongs structurally to the inner ear and contains sensors that tell the brain about the position and movement of the head in space. It consists primarily of fluid-filled semi-circular canals and the two macula organs, sacculus and utriculus. Acceleration of the head causes the fluids in the equilibrium organ to flow. The movements of the liquid activate receptors, which subsequently transmit the signals to the brain through these movements. From these data, the brain then calculates the position and movement of the head in space.

The following disorders of the inner ear can cause dizziness:

• Meniere’s disease
• Neuropathia vestibularis (sudden failure of the equilibrium organ)
• Middle ear infections with symptoms affecting the inner ear
• Petrus bone fracture with damage to the inner ear
• Acoustic neuroma

Dizziness is a warning sign from the brain, indicating that something is not right in the system that regulates our sense of balance. Infrequent actions such as spinning around rapidly can temporarily throw people off-balance.

Dizziness is not a disease, but symptom of a disorder or a disease. It is often harmless but, may also be a harbinger of serious illnesses: acoustic neuroma; cardiac or vascular-induced circulatory disorders; multiple sclerosis; inflammatory meningitis; cerebral haemorrhage; herpes zoster oticus; Lyme disease; toxoplasmosis; barotrauma from diving; metabolic diseases such as diabetes or mental illness all of which should be discounted by medical specialists in the event of enduring symptoms. The natural consequences of the ageing process are also a factor.

The symptoms of vertigo are very different, and they manifest themselves differently. When someone becomes disorientated, it is both frightening as well as being very uncomfortable. Almost one in every ten patients seen by a general practitioner complains of symptoms of dizziness and of these, around fifteen percent are referred to a specialist. The numbers increase with age and also when people take more prescription medications which often cause dizziness as a side effect.

Dizziness is one of the most common ailments that can occur as people become older due to a reduced blood flow to the inner ear. Falls and the impacts of falling due to dizzy spells are a significant health-economic issue. For those affected, there is a loss of quality of life, independence and autonomy.

Those who are prone to dizziness, often become accustomed to it though the illnesses caused by dizziness, such as nausea, palpitations, sweating and vomiting, can lead to a reduced quality of life.

Dizziness complaints: When to see your physician?

Even healthy people suffer from dizziness from time to time, for example, if they have had too little sleep or are exhausted from physical overexertion. People with low blood pressure frequently take their time to stand up in the mornings. New and “not broken in” or wrongly prescribed glasses can contribute to brief attacks of vertigo. In such circumstances, people may feel queasy and that the ground under their feet is unstable.

Sometimes, the symptoms are brought on by heights, walking to the top of a tower for instance can bring on dizziness, as can travel by bus, airplane or by ship. This is travel sickness or kinetosis. Where the symptoms are very pronounced, patients’ general practitioner can usually give advice or prescribe medication for this. Equilibrium training also strengthens the sense of balance and can help.

In any event, sufferers should see their doctor if they experience the following:

• Feelings of dizziness with no apparent cause
• Dizziness attacks that appear out of the blue
• The sensation of swaying while standing on firm ground, alternatively that the world around you is moving.
• Dizziness is brought on by certain movements of the head
• Dizziness or issues with balance that persist
• Other complaints in addition to dizziness, such as nausea, headaches, ear aches, hearing problems, ringing in the ears, drowsiness and feeling faint, fever, tiredness and lethargy, irregular heartbeats and shortness of breath
• Dizziness when suffering from an ear complaint, such as a middle ear inflammation, during or after influenza, a herpes zoster infection or other contagious diseases such as scarlet fever or measles

Certain situations or environments commonly provoke feelings of dizziness, for example being in a lift, in a large crowd, in open spaces or in anticipation of an important event.

A conversation with the family physician is often helpful and this is usually well known to patients with persisting health problems. According to the provisional diagnosis, it may be necessary to refer the patient to a specialist bearing in mind that some medications can also affect the system of balance. By way of side effects, they may promote dizziness, feelings of insecurity and other balance disorders, sometimes associated with hearing problems and ringing in the ears.

Special care and restraint are required when prescribing the following types of medications:

1. Medications that affect the equilibrium organ, when people have an unsteady gait, especially in the dark, for example aminoglycoside antibiotics.
2. Treatments that interfere with the function of the cerebellum, for example certain antiepileptic medications or tranquilizers (benzodiazepines).
3. Central sedatives that relax the brain, sleeping tablets, antidepressants, medications against Parkinson’s and epilepsy, painkillers, muscle relaxants, antihistamines against allergies, even medications designed to suppress dizziness.
4. Medications for lowering blood pressure that also inhibit the blood circulation in the brain, and thus the oxygen supply, for example medications for hypertension, vascular extension and diuretic agents, most psychotropic drugs and sleeping pills and some migraine treatments.
5. Other medications that can bring about symptoms of vertigo are: corticosteroids; female sex hormones; cardiac drugs from digitalis; anti-asthmatic drugs; anti-inflammatories; gout medications; appetite suppressants among others.

It is especially important with older patients, who often as a matter of rule take too many medications, to take care to avoid those that can trigger dizziness attacks.

If a patient cannot dispense with conventional medicine for sound medical reasons, it makes sense to seek a solution through complementary medicine, thereby avoiding unpleasant side effects with no or only a small loss of effectiveness.

Circuvin – Homeopathic cycle drops

Circuvin homeopathic cycle drops produced by the company Herbamed provide a quick remedy for different types of dizziness. The complex of 4 dilutions provides quick relief for circulatory problems that provoke dizziness, weakness, drowsiness and heart palpitations or heaviness in the legs.

1 ml contains

The combination of the four homeopathic ingredients results in an effective medication against vertigos of different geneses among both the young and the old.

Gelsemium D6

Is prescribed in cases of both physical and mental feebleness, headaches, neck pains, cardiac weakness, fatigue, lack of power and dizziness with associated vision problems, double vision and a stinging sensation the eyes.

Vipera berus D12

Helps with cardiovascular problems and feelings of restlessness and anxiety.

Arnica montana D4

Should be used to treat diseases of the arterial and venous circulation. It helps with balance problems as well as with nausea and vomiting.

Aconitum napellus D12

This can be used against cardio-vascular ailments accompanied by fretfulness or genuine terror and restlessness, general feelings of dizziness or in particular loss of balance when standing up, neck pains with acute stiffness and other severe pains. With cardiac weakness, aconitum improves the circulation.

Indications

According to homeopathic medicinal practice, these medications are used to treat circulatory problems with symptoms of dizziness, weakness and drowsiness, heart palpitations and leg cramps.

Dosage

Take 10 drops diluted in water once a day. (The dosage can also be taken more than once.)

Side effects and interactions

Circuvin is an ideal supplement taken with other medications when respecting the intended dosage as it does not have any known side effects or reactions with them. This is particularly useful for older patients who may be already taking a variety of other medications for their ailments.