It's been a while since we've talked about Meniere's Disease (as well as vertigo) and since it's still an ongoing issue in our family, it's important to continue talking about Meniere's Disease.
One thing we have finally perfected is controlling my mother's Meniere's Disease. If you think it's all about taking Dramamine and resting more often, what we learned may surprise you!
Did you know that food can have an influence on how one with Meniere's can feel? We have found out that tomatoes, potatoes, and other food from the nightshade family can possibly make dizziness and nausea worse. Here is a small list of fruits and vegetables from the nightshade family. While this certainly isn't true for all sufferers, it seems to be for quite a few. Even too much sodium can make a bad day worse, especially if they also have high blood pressure..Be sure to keep a food journal so you know what you can eat and what to avoid.
Tomatoes (and other nightshade fruits/veggies) can make symptoms worse. (Credit)
Exercising isn't just food for your health - dropping a few pounds can help stabilize Meniere's just a bit. High blood pressure is known to make Meniere's worse, so when you lose weight, your blood pressure decreases as well. Remember, though, to contact your doctor before you start any exercise regimen. It could unknowingly make your symptoms worse.
But controlling Meniere's is more than just eating healthy and exercising. You also must stay calm, especially during an attack. Even if you've had it for years, an attack can be scary, but freaking out can make it worse. For 5 minutes every day, spending time focusing on "square breathing". To do square breathing, inhale for 3 counts, and then hold it for 3 counts. Exhale for 3 counts and hold for 3 counts. Repeat are necessary. It can help clear your mind and bring oxygen to your brain, which may help with some of the dizziness.
As always, be sure to check with your doctor before starting any of these tricks, but they are what helped me mom keep her Meniere's Disease under control. But we hope you might find some of them helpful as well!
If you suffer from Meniere's Disease or even vertigo, how do you control it?
This is something other people have said can really impact your symptoms.
ReplyDelete