Celebrities may have fame, fortune and glamorous lives, but the spotlight does not shield them from personal battles that often go unnoticed.
Indian actor Varun Dhawan has previously opened up about being diagnosed with vestibular hypofunction, a condition that affects the body’s balance system.
The Student of the Year star spoke about his health struggles back in 2022, revealing problems that made him realize he needed to pay more attention to his health.
But what exactly is vestibular hypofunction? Let’s dive into the details to know about this devastating health condition.
What is vestibular hypofunction?
Vestibular hypofunction is a rare balance disorder, which happens if the vestibular system (inner ear) is damaged, according to Cleveland Clinic.
Dr Anand Gupta, a renowned ENT surgeon, shared, "The vestibular system is located in the inner ear and cooperates with eyes and muscles to help you maintain your balance. People with vestibular hypofunction may present with symptoms such as falls, dizziness, blurred vision, difficulty in reading and sensitivity in a busy environment. The condition is a balance disorder and can affect people at any age but it is most commonly seen as you get older.”
Vestibular hypofunction symptoms
Symptoms of vestibular hypofunction include balance issues, blurred vision, difficulty concentrating, dizziness and vertigo, falls, fatigue, and nausea.
Vestibular hypofunction causes
There are several possible causes of vertibular hypofunction, which can include inner-ear infections, head injuries, and certain medicines that can damage the inner ear.
"Sometimes, listening to music at high volume can also raise the risk of this problem. Injections such as aminoglycosides and diuretics can turn into toxins to the vestibular organs, trauma to the ear or the head and neck region, some hereditary diseases, neurodegeneration also become the cause of vestibular hypofunction," said Dr. Gupta.
Vestibular hypofunction treatment
Treatment for vestibular hypofunction depends on the cause and the severity of the symptions.
One of the main approaches is vestibular rehabilitation therapy, which uses specific exercises to improve balance, eye control, and the brain’s ability to process signals from the vestibular system.
