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Vestibular neuronitis - Management
What should I advise a person with vestibular neuronitis?
- Reassure the person that symptoms will usually settle over several weeks, even if no treatment is given. Advise that factors such as alcohol, tiredness, or intercurrent illness may have a greater than usual effect on their balance. Explain that there may be periods during their recovery when their symptoms appear to be worsening again.
- Advise that bed rest may be necessary if symptoms are particularly severe during the acute phase, but that activity should be resumed as soon as possible (even if vertigo becomes more prominent during movement).
- Advise on safety issues.
- Advise the person not to drive when they are dizzy, or if they are likely to experience an episode of vertigo while driving.
- The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency state that people liable to 'sudden attacks of unprovoked or unprecipitated disabling giddiness' should stop driving.
- Workplace — the person should inform their employer if their vertigo poses a risk in the workplace (for example people using ladders, operating heavy machinery, or driving).
- Falls in the home — discuss the risk of falling in the home during an episode of vertigo and suggest measures to reduce this.
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