Vestibular disorder is a condition characterized by dysfunction of the vestibular system, which helps the body maintain balance and spatial orientation. Common symptoms include dizziness, loss of balance, nausea, or tinnitus.
Master, Doctor Vu Thi Hoang Yen, from the Department of Neurology and Stroke at Tam Anh General Hospital Hanoi, states that vestibular disorders can affect both adults and young people. Several factors increase the risk and contribute to worsening vestibular disorder symptoms.
Excessive stress
Prolonged stress increases cortisol secretion, affecting central nervous system activity and impacting how the vestibular system processes balance information. This contributes to symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, or a feeling of imbalance.
To mitigate the effects of stress, individuals should maintain sufficient and regular sleep, increase physical activity, arrange a reasonable work-rest schedule, and relax daily with enjoyable activities.
Prolonged sleep deprivation
Sleep plays a role in supporting the recovery and regulation of central nervous system activity. Chronic sleep deprivation or insomnia can affect the vestibular system's processing and integration of balance information, leading to dizziness, a floating sensation, difficulty concentrating, and reduced motor coordination.
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Poor sleep quality increases the risk of vestibular disorders. Photo created by AI. |
Physical inactivity
Sedentary lifestyles and lack of exercise increase the risk of muscle tension in the neck, shoulders, and upper back. This affects the coordination between the vestibular system, vision, and proprioception—three crucial systems that help the body maintain balance. Imbalance in integrating these signals can promote the development of vestibular disorder symptoms.
Individuals should engage in at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily, stand up and stretch after every 45-60 minutes of work, adjust their sitting posture, and incorporate neck, shoulder, and upper back relaxation exercises to support vestibular function.
Noise pollution
Frequent exposure to high-intensity sounds (high-volume headphones, traffic, construction sites, bars) can damage the hair cells in the inner ear, affecting the function of the vestibulocochlear system. In addition to hearing loss, prolonged noise exposure is also linked to stress, sleep disturbances, causing dizziness, tinnitus, or loss of balance.
Doctor Yen advises keeping headphone volume below 60% of the device's capacity, limiting continuous use to no more than 60 minutes, using ear protection when working in noisy environments, and seeking specialist consultation if unusual symptoms appear.
Blood pressure and metabolic disorders
Low blood pressure, anemia, cardiovascular diseases, or reduced circulatory volume can decrease cerebral blood flow, causing symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, or loss of balance. Metabolic disorders like hypothyroidism, diabetes, or electrolyte imbalances can also affect nervous system function, increasing the risk of vestibular disorder symptoms. To prevent these, individuals should manage blood pressure, undergo regular screening for anemia and metabolic diseases, maintain a balanced diet, and drink enough water.
Hang Tran
