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Alberto Brito has always lived his life with passion. As a cake decorator, pastry chef, and English coordinator at a school, he has thrived in social and creative environments. He loves concerts, festivals, and had an active social life. But in his late teens, his life took an unexpected turn that would test his strength and resilience.
The First Signs
At 17, Alberto experienced his first vertigo attack. It didn’t last long, but in 2012, everything changed. After a flu that led to an ear infection, he noticed hearing loss in his left ear while listening to music. Doctors assured him his hearing would return, but instead, he developed permanent hearing loss and tinnitus. Soon after, more vertigo attacks followed, leading him to search for answers online. He suspected Ménière’s disease, but as his symptoms eventually faded away, he continued living normally.
The Return of Dizziness
In early 2022, Alberto’s dizziness returned sporadically, often appearing during concerts or outings but subsiding quickly. However, in August, after drinking several cups of coffee, he experienced a prolonged dizziness attack that wouldn’t go away. He told his mother, and they visited a local ENT specialist who performed an ear cleaning. While medication provided some relief, his dizziness remained unpredictable, lasting anywhere from seconds to days.
Doctors suspected cholesterol issues, but his blood tests were normal. By October 2022, his dizziness worsened. Turning his head in any direction made him feel like he was going to fall. He became bedridden and had to move in with his mother. Desperate for answers, he traveled to the Vertigo and Dizziness Center in Mexico City, where Dr. Omarliv Briseño diagnosed him with left ear hypofunction. His treatment included vestibular rehabilitation, which he did from home. By December, he improved, and by January 2023, he felt like himself again.
Relapse and a New Diagnosis
For months, Alberto enjoyed life again—going to concerts, clubs, and socializing. But in July 2023, his symptoms returned. Determined, he traveled back to Mexico City for treatment. However, his anxiety gradually worsened, leading to his first panic attack and filling him with fear about his future.
By August, a new diagnosis emerged: vestibular migraine. His new treatment no longer included vestibular rehabilitation. Instead, his doctor emphasized lifestyle changes—daily 40-minute walks, stress management, and an anti-migraine diet eliminating caffeine, chocolate, and nuts. He started taking medications like Verapamil and Flunarizine, along with exercise and emotional regulation techniques. Though his dizziness persisted, he focused on staying calm and regaining confidence in his movements.
His Worst Attack
On September 30, 2023, a routine doctor’s visit triggered a brief vertigo attack. Later that day, after barely eating, he suffered an extreme vertigo episode at a restaurant, followed by nausea, vomiting, and dangerously low blood pressure. When he returned home, daily vertigo attacks began. Fear took over, and even simple movements became terrifying. Recovery felt out of reach, and to make things worse, a hurricane hit his city, leaving him without electricity or access to medication, making an already difficult situation even harder.
A New Beginning
By November 2023, things improved, and by December, he finally found relief. His doctor recommended continuing physical activities like swimming and walking and adjusting his diet, suspecting that low serotonin was a trigger. In January 2024, Alberto experienced a slight change in symptoms, now including headaches and neck pain. However, after switching his medication to Paroxetine, he saw major improvement—and since then, he has been vertigo-free.
Today, Alberto continues working at the school and baking cakes. He still attends concerts, always with friends by his side. Though dizziness still appears occasionally, he has learned that emotional care is just as important as physical care. His sister is his biggest source of motivation, and his coworkers and bosses have made his job more manageable by understanding his condition on difficult days. Small lifestyle changes, like staying hydrated and keeping snacks on hand, have also helped.
Finding Hope in Community
Living in Mexico, Alberto struggled to find information and resources on vestibular disorders. However, he discovered content creators like The Dizzy Health Coach and Julia Side, whose content gave him hope. Seeing others living normal lives despite their vestibular issues reassured him that recovery was possible.
Words of Encouragement
“Be patient. That’s the most important thing. You will get better, but it takes time and effort. Focus on yourself rather than your symptoms, and a better tomorrow will come.”
Alberto’s journey is one of perseverance, learning, and ultimately, hope. His story is a testament that while dizziness can be overwhelming, recovery is possible with the right mindset, support, and lifestyle changes.
If you would like to follow Alberto’s journey, you can follow him on instagram: @albertobrito and on Tiktok: @estanbrtio
Can you relate to Alberto’s story? Have you been diagnosed with vestibular disfunction? Do you find yourself stressed and anxious about your symptoms and want relief? Discover the transformative power of health coaching by scheduling a discovery call today!
