Vertigo is the spinning of the world around you, which can even cause fainting or trouble standing. Stress and anxiety elevate the cortisol hormones in the body, which can impair the vestibular system's function, which controls balance.In this blog, we will learn more about "Can stress cause vertigo?" How to identify if your Vertigo is due to stress? And managing pressure to relieve Vertigo.There are many causes of vertigo, including inner ear infections and other diseases. But to everyone's surprise, stress can also cause Vertigo. Though people experiencing stress-induced vertigo have to identify their triggers and conclude that their Vertigo is stress-induced, we still have this conclusion that even stress can cause Vertigo.Read More: 8 Supplements & Vitamins for Stress Relief

Can stress cause vertigo?

Although stress and anxiety have different concerns, psychological stress is linked to external factors that can make it even when there are no outside stressors. Unfortunately, the answer to this question is not straightforward because there are cases where stress has caused vertigo, and somewhere vertigo has only been a culprit, but the condition is entirely different.So, it is possible to experience vertigo-like symptoms associated with stress and anxiety and prompting to release cortisol and adrenaline, which will trigger spells. People with chronic dizziness can drive fear and low mood or impact the population with vertigo almost half have anxiety and stress.Also Read: Stress Fracture: Muscle Overuse

Is vertigo linked with stress?

Stress can influence conditions like vertigo, dizziness, or drowsiness. Some scientists believe that vertigo is caused due to an increase in the stress hormone vasopressin. Pressure can encourage vertigo-like symptoms and cause dizziness when it tends to be associated with lightheadedness and a sensation of fainting feeling. This point emphasizes the fact that vertigo is linked with stress.

Symptoms of vertigo are caused due to stress.

If you want to ensure that you have vertigo, the following symptoms can be a guiding factor. You can experience the following-

Balance issues
Lightheadedness
Nausea
Vomiting
Headaches
Sweating
Ringing in the ear
Substance abuse
Anxiety
Low blood sugar levels
Medicative side effects

Treatment options for stress-induced vertigo -

It will be better to check if the cause of vertigo is stress and no other underlying condition. Hence the patients should go to the doctor before changing their treatment plans.

Maintaining a journal to record the symptoms of vertigo and chances where stress has caused Vertigo is essential. Journaling will help you identify the connection for the same.
If the Vertigo is caused due to stress, then the treatment option also includes using those instances where stress causes Vertigo and completely removing the same from your life.
In these cases, self-care becomes more important because you are the one who knows the condition and the solutions for your situation.
Lifestyle change and physiotherapy sessions can also help reduce vertigo caused by stress.

Meditation
Regular exercising
Practicing deep breathing exercises
We are maintaining good sleep habits.
Psychotherapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy is considered the best for managing stress and anxiety. It is effective in 75% of the participants and can also reduce vertigo caused due to stress.

Also Read: 6 Healthy Ways to Beat Stress- Backed By Science!

Anxiety Medications -

If the symptoms of vertigo are severe for you due to stress, then it will be best to take anxiety medications, or you can also include the following medicines-

SSRIs(Selective Serotonin reuptake inhibitors)
SNRIs(Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
Tricyclics
Benzodiazepines
Buspirone
Beta-blockers
Monoamine oxidase Inhibitors(MAOIs)

Before taking any of these medications, consult with your doctors and psychiatrist.

Managing vertigo from stress at home -

Learning different stress management methods can benefit the body and the central nervous system. By keeping it calm and reducing the anxiety and panicFor managing stress, you can take a look at the following tips-

Build a Support Network - A support system will help you when stress and anxiety are at their peak, and this support system can help you from getting overwhelmed. Connecting family, friends, and other supportive people will reduce stress and vertigo.
Eat healthy foods and exercise - Eating healthy food like vegetables, fruits, grains, and fibrous vegetables with low glycemic levels can help keep the mood and energy balanced. Exercise can also release chemicals like dopamine and serotonin in the body and be best for the patient's mental health. Exercise like walking can also provide significant benefits.
Try different breathing techniques - Breathing exercises relax the muscles and can also help reduce and control stress and heart rates. Breathing exercises can also help maintain the nervous system and respond to stressors over time. One such exercise is the box-breathing technique, like the 4-7-8 breathing technique that focuses on taking slow, deep breaths and a longer exhale than inhale.

Also Read: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Everything You Should Know

When to see a doctor for stress-induced vertigo?

See the doctor if you are experiencing severe vertigo conditions like fainting, seizures, difficulty breathing, and chest pain. The patients mustn't self-diagnose this condition. Since the patients need to be made aware of the diagnostic factors and medications that stress-induced vertigo requires, in this condition, if the patients are diagnosed with different treatments for their condition, then it can be dangerous to the person. They should immediately contact the doctor when they have determined that these severe symptoms are caused due to stress-induced vertigo.Also Read: Yoga Poses For Stress Relief

Conclusion -

Vertigo is the feeling that the world around you is spinning, and it can be difficult to stand or even think when you have this problem. Stress can also cause vertigo in some people. There are two sides to this story when there is vertigo without stress and when there is vertigo with emphasis. Hence the patients need to check if their dizziness is due to pressure. Then they can look at treatment options and therapies that can reduce stress and vertigo. However, patients should not take any medications without consulting with the doctor.

Can stress cause vertigo?