TL;DR: To reduce inflammation after vestibular neuritis, start with your healthcare team. A vestibular ENT or Otoneurologist, vestibular physical therapist, and primary care provider can help determine whether medications, dietary changes, supplements, lifestyle modifications, vestibular rehabilitation, or further testing are appropriate for your situation.
People who suspect they are experiencing lingering or rebound inflammation after vestibular neuritis often ask what they should do first to reduce the inflammation.
The answer depends on your personal preferences, your medical history, your lifestyle choices, and the recommendations of your local healthcare team. There is no single approach that is right for everyone.
Start With the Right Healthcare Providers
I always recommend reporting any new or unusual symptoms, or changes in an ongoing health condition, to your primary care provider. They can determine whether additional testing or a referral to a specialist is appropriate.
Vestibular physical therapy may also be an important part of addressing the vestibular issue from a rehabilitation perspective.
An vestibular ENT (Neurotologist or Otologist) or Otoneurologist can evaluate your ear and vestibular symptoms, then discuss whether additional investigation or treatment may be appropriate.
If you are already notified your primary care provider and started working with a vestibular ENT or Otoneurologist and a vestibular physical therapist, you are most likely connected with the appropriate types of vestibular healthcare professionals to help guide your care.
Medication Options to Discuss With Your Doctor
Some patients prefer to use prescription steroids to address inflammation. They may ask their doctor whether a Medrol Dosepak or another prescription treatment is appropriate to get a jump start on reducing inflammation.
Other patients prefer to avoid steroids because of potential side effects. They may ask their doctor about an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
Whether you are considering a prescription or over-the-counter medication to reduce inflammation, talk with your doctor about what may be appropriate and safe for you.
Remember that both prescription and over-the-counter drugs can interact with your other medications and alcohol, and may also produce unwanted medication side effects.
Natural Ways to Reduce Inflammation
Dietary Changes
Some patients prefer a “no medication” approach. They may consider turmeric as a supplement to reduce inflammation.
Some patients choose to make changes to their food intake with the goal of reducing inflammation.
For example, cutting back on foods that promote inflammation can help reduce inflammation, such as gluten, sugary foods, and highly processed foods.
If you stop regularly consuming foods that are promoting inflammation, that can really help!
You can also consult a nutritionist for guidance on following an anti-inflammatory diet.
Turmeric root can also be added to a diet to reduce inflammation. Natural grocery stores often sell turmeric root in the produce section near the ginger root.
Turmeric and Anti-Inflammatory Supplements
If you are interested in using turmeric or another supplement to try to reduce inflammation, discuss the appropriate product and amount with a qualified healthcare provider.
I have an “Anti-Inflammatory” section in my online store at VertigoDetective.com featuring three natural products that I personally use and recommend.
Lifestyle Modifications
Certain lifestyle changes may help reduce inflammation. Alcohol, smoking, poor sleep, obesity, high stress, and lack of exercise can all contribute to inflammation.
To reduce inflammation, you can consider these lifestyle changes:
- Cut back on alcohol (Note: Zero alcohol is best for your brain health with aging.)
- Quit smoking
- Implement sleep hygiene to improve your sleep quality
- Consult a sleep medicine doctor if you think you have sleep apnea
- Commit to a weight loss plan if you are obese
- Start going for easy walks to ramp up to a regular exercise routine, as soon as your vertigo is resolved
- Hire a personal trainer or work with a physical therapist if you are not sure how to exercise properly
- Use stress management techniques
Could an Underlying Health Condition Be Contributing to Inflammation?
Severe or persistent ear itching, psoriasis-like symptoms, and ongoing inflammation may warrant a deeper investigation from an additional specialist.
One possibility to discuss with your healthcare team is whether an autoimmune or other inflammatory condition could be contributing to your inflammatory symptoms.
In-depth blood work may be considered to look for a deeper root cause of the discomfort. For example, C-reactive protein (CRP) is an inflammatory marker that your doctor can measure with specialized bloodwork.
CRP levels can monitor inflammation and even assess for rebound inflammation, in cases of waxing and waning vertigo attacks from inflammatory vestibular neuritis.
A rheumatologist MD or naturopathic doctor ND may be able to assist with this type of investigation by ordering labs.
Creating a Personalized Recovery Plan
When inflammation and vestibular symptoms persist, the first step is to work with your local healthcare team to determine which approach best fits your needs. Depending on your preferences and your providers’ recommendations, that plan may include:
- Prescription medication
- Over-the-counter medication
- Dietary changes
- Natural products or supplements
- Lifestyle modifications
- Vestibular physical therapy for rehabilitation of any lingering dizziness, vertigo, or imbalance
- Diagnostic testing
- Further investigation into a possible underlying inflammatory condition
The appropriate path will be different for each person, so individualized treatment planning is necessary.
Your primary care provider, vestibular physical therapist, vestibular ENT or Otoneurologist, and any other specialists involved in your care can help you decide what steps to take next to reduce inflammation.
For more information about vestibular neuritis from inflammation, click here.
For help searching for a vertigo doctor, click here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I reduce inflammation after vestibular neuritis?
The first step is working with your healthcare team. Depending on your situation, treatment may include vestibular physical therapy, medications, supplements, lifestyle modifications, dietary changes, or additional testing.
Should I take steroids for vestibular neuritis inflammation?
Some people discuss prescription steroids with their doctor, while others explore different options based on their medical history and personal preferences. The appropriate choice should be made with your healthcare provider.
Can diet help reduce inflammation after vestibular neuritis?
Some people choose dietary changes to reduce inflammation or add turmeric their diet as part of their recovery plan. Discuss any supplements and anti-inflammatory diet recommendations with a qualified healthcare professional or clinical nutritionist before starting them.
Disclaimer
This blog is provided for informational and educational purposes only. The content and any comments by Dr. Kim Bell, DPT are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The details of any case mentioned in this post represent a typical patient that Dr. Bell might see and do not describe the circumstances of a specific individual.
