How to effectively treat vestibular dysfunction
Sep 11, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Lei
Introduction
In general, vestibular dysfunction may be caused by long-term mental stress, excessive fatigue, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Ménière's disease, vestibular neuritis, and other factors. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention to identify the exact cause, followed by appropriate general and pharmacological treatments under a physician's guidance. Daily activities should avoid sudden or rapid head movements, such as turning the head quickly or bending forward, to reduce stimulation to the vestibular system.
Generally, vestibular dysfunction may be caused by long-term mental stress, excessive fatigue, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, Ménière's disease, vestibular neuritis, and other factors. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention to determine the exact cause and then improve the condition through general treatment and medication under a doctor's guidance. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Long-term mental stress: Anxiety and high stress levels can interfere with the regulation of the vestibular central nervous system, causing symptoms like dizziness and imbalance. Practicing meditation, deep breathing, and physical exercise can relieve stress, maintain emotional stability, allow the vestibular nervous system to rest adequately, and gradually restore its regulatory function.
2. Excessive fatigue: Prolonged exhaustion leads to decreased physical function and increased sensitivity of the vestibular system, making functional disorders more likely. Reduce workload immediately, ensure 7-8 hours of sleep daily, avoid strenuous exercise, and opt for mild activities like walking to help the body recover gradually.
3. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: Dislodged otoliths stimulate vestibular receptors during changes in body position, causing brief episodes of vertigo. Doctors can perform the otolith repositioning procedure, using specific head movements to return the otoliths to their original position, rapidly alleviating symptoms.
4. Ménière's disease: Abnormal circulation of endolymphatic fluid in the inner ear damages vestibular function, accompanied by vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss. During acute episodes, take medications such as dexamethasone tablets, hydrochlorothiazide tablets, and betahistine mesylate tablets as directed by a physician to reduce inner ear edema and improve circulation.
5. Vestibular neuritis: Viral infection causes inflammation of the vestibular nerve, leading to acute vestibular dysfunction accompanied by severe vertigo and nausea. Bed rest is necessary during the acute phase, and antiviral medications such as acyclovir tablets, valacyclovir tablets, and ganciclovir capsules should be taken as prescribed. Concurrently, dexamethasone tablets can reduce nerve inflammation, while betahistine mesylate tablets help alleviate vertigo symptoms.
In daily life, avoid sudden or rapid head movements and bending over to minimize stimulation to the vestibular system. Maintain a quiet indoor environment with soft lighting, avoiding bright lights and noise that may worsen discomfort. Regularly review vestibular function and adjust treatment plans according to recovery progress to ensure stable therapeutic outcomes.
