1. The importance of diet for vestibular disorders
Vestibular disorders are common in the elderly. However, the disease is increasingly younger, can occur at any age, more common in adults.
Located in the inner ear, the vestibular system is a complex system that plays a key role in maintaining balance, spatial orientation, and head position. When the vestibular system is functioning optimally, we can stand, walk, and move with ease, confident in our stability.
According to Dr. Nguyen Huy Hoang, Vietnam - Russia Hyperbaric Oxygen Center, Ministry of National Defense , vestibular disorder is a disease that causes postural imbalance due to damage related to the vestibular system. Vestibular disorder often causes recurring symptoms that affect the patient's life.
By nourishing the body with the right nutrients and staying hydrated, you will support a stable vestibular system and enjoy a balanced life. To effectively treat vestibular disorders, in addition to using specific medications, patients need to establish a reasonable diet and nutritional supplements to prevent the disease from recurring.
Vestibular disorder is a condition of postural imbalance caused by damage related to the vestibular system.
According to Dr. Hoang, people with vestibular disorders should try to maintain a lot of exercise to stimulate blood circulation, then inflammation and fibrosis of ligaments and muscles will decrease. Swimming and yoga are good comprehensive exercises for patients with vestibular disorders.
Regarding nutrition, people with vestibular disorders should supplement their bodies with foods rich in fiber and essential vitamins through daily meals. In addition, they should supplement essential vitamins to support a healthy nervous system and reduce symptoms of vestibular disorders such as vitamin B6, vitamin B9, vitamin D, vitamin C, etc.
Dr. Nguyen Huy Hoang said that cerebral anemia and vestibular disorders often originate from atherosclerosis. Diet must reduce atherosclerosis by increasing foods containing many free radical antioxidants such as omega-3, unsaturated fatty acids, fish, nut milk, etc. Increase consumption of vegetables and fruits because fresh vegetables and fruits, especially dark-colored vegetables and fruits such as green, red, and orange, contain the best antioxidants.
Dr. Hoang also advises patients with vestibular disorders to limit processed foods and foods high in salt and sugar, which not only make vestibular disorder symptoms worse but also lead to many other diseases such as cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, etc.
2. Essential nutrients for people with vestibular disorders
Vestibular disorders occur due to damage to the nervous system, so supplementing nutrients that are beneficial to the nervous system is extremely necessary. Below are specific nutrients that support a healthy vestibular system:
Magnesium: Known for its important role in regulating nerve function and muscle relaxation, magnesium can help reduce the severity and frequency of dizziness caused by vestibular disorders. People with vestibular disorders should supplement magnesium-rich foods in their diet through food sources such as seafood, freshwater fish, meat, dark green leafy vegetables, beans, sesame, peanuts, nuts, whole grains...
Vitamin C: Vitamin C plays a great role in helping the body strengthen its resistance and immune system. Thereby, it helps reduce common symptoms of vestibular disorders such as headaches, dizziness, etc. People with vestibular disorders need to supplement vitamin C daily for the body by using foods rich in vitamin C such as oranges, tangerines, lemons, grapefruits, tomatoes, pineapples, strawberries or some green vegetables rich in vitamins and minerals such as broccoli, kale, etc. These are all very good foods for people with vestibular disorders.
Vitamin D: Otosclerosis is a common symptom of many people with vestibular disorders and to improve this condition, patients need to supplement the body with the necessary amount of vitamin D. In addition, adequate vitamin D levels are important for bone health and help prevent falls, reducing the risk of injuries related to vestibular dysfunction. Therefore, people with vestibular disorders need to supplement some foods rich in vitamin D such as fish, eggs, milk, whole grains, mushrooms, orange juice or soy products. These are foods that help the body strengthen the immune system and improve the health of the patient.
Fish, eggs, milk, whole grains, mushrooms, orange juice or bean products are foods rich in vitamin D.
Patients with vestibular disorders need to diversify their diet with foods rich in folate.
Folate, also known as folic acid or vitamin B9, participates in the process of cell growth and division, red blood cell production and prevents anemia. Vitamin B9 also participates in the creation of neurotransmitters in the brain. Elderly people with vestibular disorders are often due to defects in the vestibular system and to improve this condition, patients should eat foods rich in folate. They will have a great effect in balancing the vestibular system in the elderly.
Foods rich in folate from beans such as red beans, black beans, green beans or citrus fruits, grapefruit... In addition, food sources rich in vitamin B9 are: animal liver (beef, chicken, pork), broccoli, cauliflower, okra, asparagus, nuts such as peanuts, sunflowers, almonds... are also foods rich in folate that are very good for the health of people with vestibular disorders.
Omega-3 fatty acids: Found in fatty fish like salmon and flaxseeds, omega-3s have anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce symptoms of vestibular disorders.
Vitamin B: Vitamin B complex, including B6 and B12, plays a role in nerve function, helping to control dizziness and lightheadedness. One of the causes of vestibular disorders in patients is a lack of vitamin B6. Therefore, patients with vestibular disorders need more vitamin B6 to help the vestibular system function better and symptoms of nausea and dizziness will no longer appear. Vitamin B6 is most abundant in foods such as whole grains, beans, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, potatoes, chicken, fish, oranges, apples, avocados, bananas, almonds, etc.
Drink enough water: Proper hydration is important for overall health and can prevent symptoms such as dizziness and lightheadedness in patients with vestibular disorders. Drinking enough water, especially fruit juices, is very good for people with vestibular disorders.
3. Foods that people with vestibular disorders should limit
Several dietary factors may aggravate symptoms of vestibular disorders, including:
- Caffeine and alcohol are dehydrating.
- Foods high in sodium increase water retention.
- Processed foods and sugary foods cause inflammation.
- Foods rich in fat are the main cause of high blood cholesterol, which greatly affects the treatment of the disease.
- For milk, people with vestibular disorders should choose skim milk, skim milk will be better for the patient's health.
Foods to consider eliminating from your diet that may affect vestibular disorders include:
- Aged cheese
- Chocolate
- Processed meats such as bacon, sausages, ham, and salted meat.
- Wine, beer and liquor.
- Fermented and pickled foods.
Although nutrition plays an important role in supporting the health of people with vestibular disorders, it is important to consult a healthcare professional before making significant dietary changes.
When there are signs of vestibular disorders, patients should proactively go to a specialist for examination and appropriate treatment.
In addition to using medication for treatment, a scientific diet will help improve vestibular disorders significantly. Your doctor will provide personalized guidance based on your specific needs and underlying medical conditions.
Patients need to strictly follow the treatment regimen given by the doctor. Absolutely do not buy medicine on your own, do not use supplements to treat the disease according to advice or listen to advertisements on the internet. Because if you do not use the right medicine and dosage, the medicine can cause many side effects that affect the patient's health.
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