In vestibular hypofunction the inner part of the ear does not respond properly
During a recent interview, Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan had revealed that he has been diagnosed with a condition called Vestibular Hypofunction. “Recently, I just shut down. I didn't know what had happened to me. I had this thing called vestibular hypofunction, basically, your balance goes off,” Varun said during an interview at India Today Mumbai Conclave 2022. Later, on Monday night, in a series of tweets, the actor shared an update on his health. He thanked his fans for their concern and love.
“To everyone who has been concerned I would like to share I am doing much better with the help of yoga, swimming, physio and a change in lifestyle,” he wrote. Varun also talked about the importance of sunlight during recovery. Let's understand what this condition is.
What is Vestibular Hypofunction?
Vestibular hypofunction is a condition which affects the balance of an individual. This happens when the inner part of the ear which is also a part of your balance system does not work properly. The vestibular system (in your inner ear) of the person suffering from this condition does not respond properly and sends an error message to the brain. As a result the patient experiences dizziness. According Dr. Vidit Tripathi, ENT Consultant at the Fortis Hospital, "there is an imbalance created in the balance organs, which can be primarily due to a viral infection or sometime there could be other reasons too. This can be temporary and can sometimes persist but mostly one can recover fully in a few weeks time. It is not a serious condition and one can recover with the right medication and exercise."
Symptoms of Vestibular Hypofunction
Common symptoms include dizziness, vertigo, nausea and poor balance. Some may also experience difficulty walking in busy places. Other symptoms depend on the cause of the disease. "Patients may present symptoms like nausea, vomiting, inability to maintain posture, difficulty in walking at darker places and abnormal movement of the eyes," Dr. Dhiraj Gurvinder Singh, Senior ENT & Cochlear Implant Surgeon at Shalby Multispeciality Hospitals, Mohali explained some more symptoms of this condition.
Treatment for Vestibular Hypofunction
Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in managing the symptoms of this condition. A regular exercise routine will help the balance system recover slowly. Slowly, the balance of the patient can return to normal with the help of a dedicated physiotherapy routine formulated as per the condition of the patient.
Precautions patients should follow
Dr. Ravinder Gera, Director and HOD, ENT at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Gurugram shared a few tips for patients that can help manage the condition. "Making specific lifestyle adjustments, including as frequent exercise and practising yoga, which encourages people to move and walk, will assist improve their body balance. This is the only effective strategy to prevent it," he said.
Some of the precautions that one can follow include-
1. Giving up alcohol and smoking, both of which are harmful for this condition, is advised
2. Focus should be placed on eating a nutritious, well-balanced diet that includes all necessary minerals, vitamins, and nutrients
3. Exercising well on a regular basis
4. Go for regular checkups
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.