What causes vestibular hypofunction, the 'balance' condition Varun Dhawan is battling?

Bollywood star Varun Dhawan recently revealed that he is battling a rare disease known as Vestibular Hypofunction.

The ‘Badlapur’ star addressed the media at the India Today Conclave and opened up about his experience of suffering from the disease. He also revealed that despite being advised to stay back and relax more, he went ahead and took on more workload, and exerted himself to the max. “I had this thing called Vestibular Hypofunction, (where) basically your balance goes off. But I just pushed myself so hard,” revealed the ‘October’ actor, recalling his days of undergoing a rigorous and physically demanding schedule for the movie‘Juggjugg Jeeyo’.

What Is Vestibular Hypofunction?

Vestibular Hypofunction is a disorder that weakens the balance of an individual. It occurs when the inner ear part of your balance system fails to work properly. According to the NHS (National Health Service) Lanarkshire, the vestibular system sits in your inner ear and works in tandem with your eyes and muscles to help you maintain your balance. When the vestibular system becomes faulty, you end up feeling dizzy and imbalanced.

What Are The Symptoms Of Vestibular Hypofunction?

According to NHS Lanarkshire, the symptoms will vary among people. However, most will suffer bouts of dizziness or vertigo. Some will complain about having reduced control over their legs and stumble and fall more often. Patients may have trouble walking in busy spaces and experience a feeling of motion when things move around quickly.

According to medical experts, this health condition can occur on one side of the head (unilateral hypofunction) or on both sides of the head (bilateral hypofunction). Unilateral hypofunction can be caused by other health conditions such as vestibular neuritis, vestibular schwannoma, Meniere’s disease, etc. Bilateral hypofunction can occur after the balance system suffers damage. People suffering from some autoimmune diseases, and congenital problems may also incur bilateral hypofunction.

How To Keep Yourself Healthy If You Are Battling Vestibular Hypofunction?

Experts at NHS Lanarkshire recommend patients undergo intensive physiotherapy. Physiotherapists will help you regain your balance through exercises or how to compensate for body parts that are not functioning properly. NHS Lanarkshire recommends the following exercises:

• Focus on a point in front of you and shake your head like you are saying a ‘’yes or a “no’’. Repeat the exercise till your symptoms start. Do this about twice daily. If you can manage 30 seconds without getting any symptoms, then you do not need to do this exercise.
• Stand with your feet close together. Maintain this position for 30 seconds. If you feel dizzy or imbalanced, hold on to something. When you feel steady enough to do this without holding on then start doing this when you are washing your hands or brushing your teeth.
• Keep a careful eye on your blood pressure level. Avoid food like excessively salty dishes, fried and processed food, and condiments like soy sauce, barbecue sauce, etc as they can increase your BP levels. Limit your consumption of red meat. Reduce alcohol consumption as it can affect the part of the brain that affects your balance.
• Limit screen time that is - time spent watching TV or browsing the internet as it can cause eye strain.