“Our study suggests that for people with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, taking a supplement of vitamin D and calcium is a simple, low-risk way to prevent vertigo from recurring,” said Dr. Kim, who added, “It is especially effective if you have low vitamin D levels to begin with.”
Summary: Twice daily vitamin D supplementation reduces symptoms of vertigo for those suffering BPPV. Taking vitamin D and calcium twice a day may reduce your chances of getting vertigo again, according to a study published in the August 5, 2020, online issue of Neurology.
Vitamin D and Calcium Prevent Recurrent Vertigo.
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of positional vertigo. Vitamin D deficiency may be one of the causes of its development.
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is linked to vitamin D deficiency.
A technique called canalith repositioning (or Epley maneuver) usually helps resolve benign paroxysmal positional vertigo more quickly than simply waiting for your dizziness to go away. It can be done by your doctor, an audiologist or a physical therapist and involves maneuvering the position of your head.
“Adding an over-the-counter vitamin D supplement can make improvements in just three to four months time. Vitamin D with a strength of 1000-2000 international units daily is the recommended dose for most adults,” Dr. Ropte says.
Magnesium oxide is a popular food supplement among patients who experience regular bouts of vertigo. According to Vestibular.org, taking around 400 to 800 mg of magnesium oxide might help curb the impact of disorders like vestibular migraines and PPPD (Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness).
Several natural agents such as vitamin D, calcium, ginkgo biloba, and coenzyme Q10 may be effective adjuvants in the management of vertigo. Depending on the cause of vertigo, some dietary and lifestyle considerations, such as a low-sodium diet, may reduce the severity or frequency of symptoms as well.
"The inner ear crystals, or otoconia, are partially made of calcium carbonate, and vitamin D is essential for calcium metabolism, so the mechanism of the treatment makes sense," he said.
Vitamin D may improve muscle strength and function, as well as balance due to the improved strength.
Some side effects of taking too much vitamin D include weakness, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, and others. Taking vitamin D for long periods of time in doses higher than 4000 IU (100 mcg) daily is possibly unsafe and may cause very high levels of calcium in the blood.
Vitamin D can be taken at any time of the day. However, many people prefer to take it in the morning to reduce the potential risk of sleep disturbances.
According to the National Institutes of Health, vitamin D promotes calcium absorption in the gut and helps regulate the concentration of calcium and phosphorus in the blood, which supports building and maintaining healthy, strong bones and helps regulate skeletal and neuromuscular function.
Vitamin D deficiency can lead to a loss of bone density, which can contribute to osteoporosis and fractures (broken bones). Severe vitamin D deficiency can also lead to other diseases: In children, it can cause rickets. Rickets is a rare disease that causes the bones to become soft and bend.
Peripheral vertigo may be caused by: Benign positional vertigo (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, also known as BPPV) Certain medicines, such as aminoglycoside antibiotics, cisplatin, diuretics, or salicylates, which are toxic to the inner ear structures. Injury (such as head injury)
Stress, anxiety and depression can all trigger vertigo attacks. Do what you can to avoid these pressures or to manage them when they can't be prevented. Talking to a friend, taking time to relax, or using meditation techniques could help.
Growing evidence has demonstrated that vitamin D has a role in sleep regulation [12]. Specifically, vitamin D deficiency (VDD) can increase risk of sleep disorders and is associated with sleep difficulties, shorter sleep duration, and nocturnal awakenings in children and adults [13,14,15].
Use the CVS Health At Home Vitamin D Test Kit to get accurate and comprehensive results in the privacy and comfort of your own home. Simply collect your blood sample using this convenient kit, mail it to the lab, and receive your results through a secure online portal in just a few days.
“In rare cases, people who experience debilitating vertigo might need surgery, but I find that lying down in the dark, avoiding lights, TVs, and other distractions, and just getting some rest can ease my symptoms,” she said.
Most of the time, vertigo resolves without treatment, as the brain can compensate for changes to the inner ear to restore someone's balance. Medications, such as steroids, can reduce inner ear inflammation, and water pills can reduce fluid buildup.