Duwar (Vertigo)

Introduction

Duwar (vertigo) is the most common complaint of patients that have a high economic burden on the health system. It is also known as Dizziness (Chakkar Aana). It is a condition in which the patient feels that his/ her surrounding objects are spinning. It is also accompanied with the sensation of spinning of body and brain along with the objects. In other words it can be defined as a feeling of dizziness. A person feels that things are moving around him or the person rotating around himself.

It is characterized by sensation of spinning of head and objects, darkness in front of eyes, heaviness of head and tinnitus. These symptoms appear while standing and patient falls down due to imbalance.

Causes of Vertigo (Duwar): As per Unani medicine philosophy it is caused by heating of abnormally accumulated immature concentrated matter (Kham Ghaleez Mawaad) in the brain stimulating psychic peuma (Rooh-e- Nafsaniyya). Other important causes are:

Inner ear inflammation
Fluid changes in inner year
Ear infection
Problems in vision
Head injury
Heart problems
Brain tumours
Thyroid disorder
Anaemia

Symptoms of Vertigo (Duwar)

Problems related to brain
Irregular blood flow in the brain
Nausea
Little headedness
Sclerosis
Migraine
Vomiting
Ear sensation
Problem in walking

Principles of Treatment (Usool-e- Ilaj)

Evacuation of morbid matter from the brain (Tanqiya-e- Dimaagh)
Cleansing of stomach (Tanqiya-e- Me’da)
Resolution of gases (Tahleel-e- Riyah)
Dietary modulation (Talteef-e- Ghiza)
To ton up the brain (Taqwiyat-e- Dimagh)

Pharmacotherapy (‘Ilāj bi’l-Dawā’)

Oral administration of Joshanda-e- Aftimoon in case of predominance of black bile.
Oral administration of Sheera prepared with Badaam (Prunus amygdalus Baill.) 5 pieces, Khashkhaash (Seed of Papaver somniferum Linn.) 9 gm., Kishnīz (Coriandrum sativum Linn.) 9 gm. mixed with 36 gm. of sugar and sprinkled with 7 gm. of Tukhm-i Faranjmushk (Seed of Ocimum basilicum Linn.).
Oral administration of concoction prepared with Amla (Phyllanthus emblica Linn.), Halayla (Terminalia chebula Retz.), Balayla (Terminalia bellerica (Gaertn.) Roxb.) and Kishneez (Coriandrum sativum Linn.).
Oral administration of concoction prepared with Amla (Phyllanthus emblica Linn.) 10.5 gm., Kishneez (Coriandrum sativum Linn.) 10.5 gm. and Neelofar (Nymphaea lotus Linn.) 31.5 gm. and mixed with 21 gm. of sugar.

Some effective Homemade formulations of Unani medicine for Duwar (Vertigo)

Take the mix of 4 grams each of Khashkhash, Coriander and pulp of Binola seeds. Now, grind it with 100 ml of water and strain the same. It is suggested to take it daily in the morning.
Honey and Mehndi seeds are very effective. Prepare fine powder of mehndi seeds (4gram) and mix the same with honey (10gram). Use the same as sauce twice daily.
Amla jam and silver leaf are also good to cure dizziness (Chakkar Aana). Take one piece each of amla jam and silver leaf. Eat amla jam wrapping in sliver leaf daily before breakfast.
A mix of tamarind and sugar is also suggested for vertigo (Duwar). Soak the tamarind pulp in 150 ml of water. Keep it for one hour followed by straining the same. Now add 5 grams of sugar. It is suggested to take it twice daily.
Take powdered Asrol (500mg) before going to bed; it is beneficial for vertigo (Duwar) and Dizziness (Chakkar Aana).
Herbs like Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), Shahtaraj (Fumaria officinalis), Waj-e-Turki (Acorus calamus Linn.), Dhamaya/Dhamasa (Fagonia cretica Linn. / Alhagi pseudalhagi), Ushbah Hindi / Anant Mol (Hemidesmus indicus Linn.) are good for vertigo symptoms.
Sometimes vertigo (Duwar) can be prevented by taking a mix of salt (in small quantity), black pepper, and lemon juice along with a glass of warm water.
Symptoms of dizziness can be minimized by taking a mix of grind almonds and warm milk.
Regular intake of ginger tea is also helpful in combating vertigo (Duwar).
The symptoms of vertigo (Duwar) can be combated by taking yogurt and strawberries.
The mix of goose berry (1tsp), coriander seeds (1tsp) and water (1 glass). Keep it overnight. Now strain and add a little amount of sugar before drinking. It is helpful in reducing the symptoms of vertigo (Duwar).
Soak the mix of wheat grain (2tsp), poppy seed (1tsp), almonds (8 in numbers) and watermelon seeds (8 in numbers). Now prepare a paste. Now, heat it and mix ghee (1tsp) and cloves (2 in numbers). Cool it and take the same with milk.
Ginkgo biloba is effective in curing vertigo (Duwar). The use of Ginkgo biloba powder along with water is helpful in the treatment of dizziness (Chakkar Aana).

Compound Drugs

Ayaarij-e- Feyqra 3-5 gms.
Habb-e- Qawqaaya 4.5 gms. with lukewarm water at bed time
Murabba-e- Amla As directed by physician
Murabba-e- Seb As directed by physician
Itreefal Kishneezi 9-24 gms. at bed time
Itreefal Afteemun 9 gms.
Anushdaaru Luluwi 7 gms.
Jawaarish-e- Tabaashir 5-7 gms. with ‘Arq-i Gāozabān
Khameera-e- Marwaard 3-5 gms.
Maa-ul- Laham 108 ml.
Kushta-e- Marjaan As directed by physician
Kushta-e- Khubs-ul- Hadeed As directed by physician
Sharbat-e- Ward 10 ml. BD

Regimenal Therapy (Ilaj bil Tadbeer)

Cupping (Hijaama) on the nape of neck and calf muscles.
Bloodletting through veins situated behind the ears (Fasd-e- Urooq-e- Khalf al-Uzn)
Bloodletting through cephalic vein (Fasd-e- Qeefaal)
To induce sneezing (Ta’atees)
Emesis (Qay’) in case of gastric involvement

Dietary Recommendations