One of the things that I have talked about in earlier posts is the way that vestibular problems (the causes of vertigo and dizziness) can cause anxiety and depression, and it has been found that for many people doing a balance rehabilitation course can correct your anxiety symptoms. Likewise, as well as emotional issues like these, it has been found that vestibular deficits cause problems with cognition and executive function.

Executive functions are those brain processes that reside in the top parts of our brains, the cerebral cortex. They include things like:

• Our ability to focus on something in particular (a job in hand or object), as well as our ability to shift that focus to something else.
• Our ability to plan for the future.
• Recognising patterns in the environment and shift to new patterns.
• Deciding what information is relevant to that task at hand and what is not.
• Inhibiting inappropriate behaviours and allowing appropriate behaviours.

In vertigo and dizziness sufferers it has been shown that these executive functions suffer.

So how do you know if your brain function has suffered as a result of your vertigo or dizziness?

One of the easiest ways to find out is to ask your partner the following questions:

1. Have I been more moody or irritable over the last few months or years (depending how long you have had the apnea)?
2. Have you noticed I have been more forgetful lately?
3. Have you noticed any changes in my personality or concentration over the last few months or years?

You can also ask those questions of yourself. In addition ask yourself if you have any of the following:

1. Difficulty naming things or finding the right words when speaking?
2. Difficulty remembering names, places or other things?
3. Difficulty remembering things you did recently?
4. Difficulty focusing on tasks (are you more easily distracted)?
5. Forgetting why you were doing something?
6. Difficulty with mental arithmetic?
7. Difficulty with spelling?
8. Clumsiness or poor co-ordination?

The more of these you answered yes to the more your likely it is that your brain function has been affected.

How do you correct these changes?

Correcting brain dysfunction can be very complex. However as a dizziness and vertigo sufferer the first thing you need to do is undertake a course of vestibular rehabilitation to correct any balance function that may be present. This should be done following an assessment to determine the cause of your symptoms.

Nutrition is also important. A good varied diet with appropriate levels of protein and fat is essential, particularly omega 3 fats. These can be easily found in fish oils and other oils like safflower oil.

Lastly I have found that using computer based brain games can be very useful for patients with dizziness and vertigo. This is particularly so for the executive function deficits that can occur with vestibular disorders. The main site that I recommend is Lumosity. They have the best selection of games that cover the greatest range of brain functions. By clicking on the link below you can take advantage of their selection. (Please note this is an affiliate link from which I receive a commission, however I only recommend them because I believe they offer the best games for brain fitness based on my experience.)