The National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys showed that more than 35 percent of adults age 40 and older suffered from vertigo, dizziness or other imbalance during those years. Dizziness makes you feel lightheaded and typically dissipates within a short time. Vertigo, however, will make the room seem to spin, often lasting longer than a typical dizzy spell. In some instances of vertigo, calcium deposits may play a role in causing the condition.
Vertigo may occur for a number of reasons, including diseases and conditions such as syphilis, Meniere's disease, anxiety attacks and multiple sclerosis. You may have growths or deposits in your ear, and this could also cause the condition. Other serious conditions may also result in episodes of vertigo, and these conditions include strokes, head trauma or brain tumors.
Calcium has many roles in your body's function, such as aiding in bone strength, moving blood through the vessels and helping with the release of hormones. Your doctor may recommend calcium supplements to help treat or prevent a number of conditions such as osteoporosis and heart disease. Calcium, however, does not have any known benefit for vertigo.
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is a common type of vertigo, resulting when calcium deposits move in the ear canals. If your doctor determines you have this type of vertigo, she may use her hands to move your head and body in a series of specific movements designed to move the calcium deposits into a position where they will not disrupt your equilibrium function. If you have recurring episodes, your doctor may show you how to position or move your head to relieve the severity of your vertigo episode.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience vertigo, particularly if you have not had a previous episode. Your doctor can evaluate your symptoms and overall condition to determine the cause and recommend an appropriate treatment. In severe or recurring episodes of vertigo, your doctor may prescribe a medication to reduce your symptoms or accompanying stomach upset.
