Response:

Vestibular disorders are conditions related to balance, originating from the 8th cranial nerve and its connections, leading to inaccurate information processing. Symptoms include: dizziness, loss of balance, lightheadedness, nausea, and tinnitus. The condition is categorized into: central vestibular disorder and peripheral vestibular disorder, with peripheral vestibular disorder being more common.

A high-salt diet is not a direct cause of vestibular disorders but can worsen the condition in certain cases. High sodium intake causes the body to retain water, increasing the volume of endolymphatic fluid in the inner ear. This change in endolymphatic pressure can trigger or exacerbate dizziness, tinnitus, hearing loss, and loss of balance.

A high-salt diet also disrupts water and electrolyte balance, affecting the vestibular system's function and making existing symptoms of dizziness and lightheadedness more prolonged or harder to control. Furthermore, high sodium intake is a risk factor for hypertension. When blood pressure remains elevated for an extended period, the blood vessels supplying the inner ear and brain are affected, reducing blood flow and oxygen supply to the vestibular organs, which can lead to more severe symptom recurrence.

Doctor Phat measures a patient's vestibular function using AI-powered videonystagmography technology. Illustration: *Tam Anh General Clinic District 7*

According to the World Health Organization, adults should consume less than 5 g of salt daily (one teaspoon). Individuals with peripheral vestibular disorders should: adopt a low-salt diet, limit processed foods, pickled items, and salty sauces, and drink sufficient water. Patients should manage blood pressure and underlying medical conditions, adhere to treatment, and follow up with their specialist doctor.

You should not completely eliminate salt. Instead, combine medical treatment with a reduced-salt diet to manage symptoms and limit recurrent dizziness.

Master of Science, Doctor, First-Degree Specialist Truong Tan Phat

Head of Otolaryngology Department

Tam Anh General Clinic District 7