Vitamin D solved vertigo problem

Q. I have been diagnosed with vertigo (BPPV), and it’s the worst. Anytime I move my head, the world spins.

I recently found a study linking vitamin D deficiency to BPPV. My level was really low, so I started taking a supplement.

I haven’t had a vertigo attack since, but I still have some residual dizziness that is slowly fading. I hope I don’t get any more vertigo attacks.

A. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) happens when calcium crystals in the inner ear stray out of position. This throws a person off balance and causes the spinning sensation you describe.

There is no medication that works for BPPV. We do encourage people to ask about the Epley maneuver, a manipulation technique that can help get the crystals back where they belong. It does not work for other causes of dizziness, but can be quite helpful for BPPV.

We were interested in your reference to low vitamin D contributing to this condition, and found that there has been some research (Journal of Neurology, March 2013).

Another reader also had success with this approach: “After months of dealing with vertigo attacks several times a week, I finally tried supplementing with vitamin D. It has worked wonders over the last month and a half, as I’ve had only one attack a few weeks after starting vitamin D, and none afterward. Vertigo is horrible: I have no balance or sense of equilibrium, everything spins, and I suffer nausea, vomiting and exhaustion.”

Q. You recently wrote about the high cost of treating toenail fungus with the prescription medicine Jublia. I found a better approach after trying several over-the-counter products without success.

A few months ago, I started using a liniment with a high concentration of capsaicin. It is normally used for sore muscles, but I thought I’d try it on my toenails.

I applied it twice a day, after my morning shower and before bed. (I wore disposable latex gloves, so as not to burn myself accidentally with capsaicin residue on my fingers.) After two weeks and less than $25, the fungus was undetectable.

A. Capsaicin is the compound that makes chili peppers hot. Although we have heard of dozens of remedies against nail fungus, this is the first time anyone mentioned capsaicin.

Q. My friend sent me information about the positive effect of black raspberry powder on mice with Barrett’s esophagus. I’m wondering how much black raspberry powder I should consume per day to help my own Barrett’s condition.

A. The study your friend sent you (Cancer Prevention Research, January 2009) was conducted in rats. The anti-cancer effect was intriguing, but other animal research has not confirmed the original findings.

A small human study suggested that there might be benefit from 32 grams of powder daily, but only preliminary results have been published (Nutrition and Cancer, 2006).

In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper or email them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. Their newest book is “Top Screwups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them.”

2015 King Features Syndicate Inc.