The word "dizzy" has a different meaning for each person. Since the symptoms are not very clear and can be caused by a variety of factors, you will need to do some testing to find a way to stop the dizziness. Fortunately, dizziness is usually not caused by a serious condition and you can treat it with home remedies. In this article, you will be guided through some strategies you can try. If the dizziness does not subside, see a doctor to find out the actual condition and treatment
Step
Method 1 of 3: Trying Quick Solutions
Step 1. Try sitting or lying down
Dizziness or lightheadedness as if going to faint (kliyengan) usually occurs when you stand or move. When the first signs of dizziness or lightheadedness are felt, immediately sit or lie down. Usually, sitting or lying down can relieve the spinning sensation and make you safer if you ever fall. Move slowly and carefully so you don't trip and get injured.
- When you feel dizzy, try to sit and hold your head with both knees. With this position, blood will flow to the brain. You can also get the same effect by lying down with your feet up and holding them against something (eg a wall).
- Make sure you stay seated or lying down for 1-2 minutes until the dizziness subsides. Get up slowly so you don't feel dizzy again.
- If you experience vertigo (feeling like you're going to fall or the room is spinning, even when you or your surroundings are still), lie down with your head on a pillow. This position is considered more effective than when you just lie down, without holding your head.
Step 2. Drink a glass of water
Dizziness is usually caused by dehydration. This condition occurs when you don't drink enough water throughout the day or can't rehydrate your body during and after exercise. Dehydration can also occur if you have an illness that triggers vomiting, diarrhea, or fever so that you lose a lot of body fluids. After the excruciating dizziness subsides, drink a glass of water or other clear liquid.
- If you can't drink a lot of water, try other drinks such as energy drinks, hot tea with less sugar, soups and broths, or diluted fruit juices.
- Don't drink alcohol or caffeinated drinks because they can make your dizziness worse.
Step 3. Eat sweet or salty foods
Dizziness is sometimes caused by low blood sugar levels. When you feel dizzy, try drinking a glass of juice or eating a snack, especially one that is rich in carbohydrates or sugar. Chocolate or banana can be the right choice.
You may also feel dizzy when your blood pressure drops. If you suspect a drop in blood pressure is causing you to feel dizzy, eat salty foods such as crunchy crackers or pretzels. Energy drinks can also be an option
Step 4. Focus the view on a certain point
In order not to feel dizzy while spinning, the dancers usually focus their eyes on a fixed point. This technique can also be used by people who often feel dizzy, especially if the dizziness is caused by motion sickness.
- By focusing your gaze on a specific point (e.g. a crack in the ceiling or a stain on the floor), you can help your body's senses to realize that you're not spinning, regardless of what your body is "saying."
- If you experience landsickness or seasickness while in a car or boat, look for a spot in the distance or the skyline. This can help reduce the "confused" signals between the brain and eyes that can trigger dizziness and nausea.
- Unfortunately, this method may not be effective, depending on the cause of your dizziness. Some types of vertigo are associated with involuntary eye movements that make it difficult for you to focus on one point.
Step 5. Inhale slowly and deeply
Dizziness is sometimes a symptom of an anxiety attack. When an anxiety attack hits, you often feel like you can't breathe fully. But usually, the problem is that you're breathing too fast. In this situation, force yourself to breathe slowly and deeply. Thus, you will feel calmer and the dizziness can be relieved.
- Try breathing slowly through your nose or pursed lips. If that helps, count to 5 or 10 each time you inhale or exhale.
- Place your hands on your stomach, just below your ribs. As you inhale, push air into your lungs until your stomach expands and pushes your hands. Feel your stomach start to deflate as you exhale. Do this procedure 3-10 times until you feel calmer and the dizziness subsides.
Step 6. Avoid exposure to very bright light or other objects that cause eye strain
If you feel dizzy, try to stay away from very bright light, or light from the television or laptop screen. Light that is too bright can tire your eyes or confuse you, making your dizziness worse.
- Try sitting or lying down in a dark room, or close your eyes for 1-2 minutes until the dizziness subsides. If you are outdoors, wear sunglasses.
- Avoid objects or activities that cause eye strain, such as reading or doing work that requires you to look closely at objects.
Step 7. Perform the Epley maneuver to treat vertigo
This maneuver is a head and neck tilting exercise that can be used to treat vertigo symptoms. This exercise helps to redistribute the tiny crystals that form in the fluid in the inner ear, causing dizziness. To perform the Epley maneuver:
- Sit down and tilt your head 45 degrees towards the affected ear.
- Lie horizontally and raise your head at a 45-degree angle. Hold this position for 1-2 minutes. After that, the vertigo symptoms will subside.
- Rotate your head 90 degrees towards the unaffected ear. Roll over to the side of the ear. Now, your gaze is fixed on the floor.
- Hold this position. You may have bouts of vertigo, but they should subside within a minute.
- Slowly return to a sitting position.
Method 2 of 3: Trying Long Term Solutions
Step 1. Move slowly to prevent changes in blood pressure
If you often feel dizzy, it's important not to move suddenly because this pattern of movement can trigger sudden changes in blood pressure. By moving carefully, you can also reduce the risk of falling. Move slowly and steadily when sitting or standing, and hold on to a stable object such as a banister or table if possible.
- When you wake up in the morning, make sure you get out of bed in several stages. First, sit on the bed, then lower your feet to the floor. Relax for a moment and breathe slowly before standing up.
- When getting up from sitting, flex your legs first. Thus, blood circulation becomes smoother and dizziness can be reduced.
- If necessary, walk with a cane to make your body more stable.
Step 2. Increase your daily fluid intake
Dehydration can affect blood pressure, which triggers the symptoms of dizziness. Prevent dehydration by drinking 6-8 glasses of water every day. If you're already hydrated, try drinking a sports drink or broth. The electrolyte levels in both help rehydrate the body quickly and work better than water alone. In addition, additional salt intake is also beneficial if you have low blood pressure.
If you have a medical condition that affects how much fluid you can drink, such as kidney or liver disease, talk to your doctor before increasing your daily fluid intake
Step 3. Get enough rest if you are sick
Dizziness or lightheadedness is a common condition experienced as a symptom of several diseases caused by viruses, such as colds or flu. By getting plenty of rest when you are sick, you can recover more quickly and reduce the dizziness you experience.
Step 4. Keep a “dizzy” diary to identify the triggers for your dizziness
By keeping a record of each "dizziness incident" you've experienced, you may be able to pinpoint the cause (or something else that makes the dizziness worse). Once you identify the triggers for your dizziness, it will be easier for you to avoid them.
- For example, you may feel dizzy when you are hungry, stand up too quickly, or take a bath in too hot water. Determine the triggers for dizziness so you can avoid them in the first place.
- When you feel dizzy, write a brief description of the symptoms you experience and when the dizziness occurred. Also note down any other details that you feel are relevant, such as the last meal or time you ate, the position of your body when you felt dizzy, and any other symptoms that might accompany it.
- Also note the duration of the dizziness felt and the level of seriousness. Use a consistent scale to record severity (eg from 1-5, with “5” for very excruciating dizziness).
Step 5. Wear flat heels to improve balance
If you often feel dizzy, it may be a good idea to avoid wearing high heels. Flat heels help the brain to read posture better so that the body balance is maintained. In addition, by wearing flat heels, your ankle will not be sprained if at any time you fall while feeling dizzy or experiencing vertigo.
Wear shoes with good tread to prevent slipping, especially if you have to walk on wet or icy surfaces
Step 6. Adjust the surrounding environment to reduce the risk of falling
One of the main risks associated with dizziness is the spinning sensation that can cause you to fall and hurt yourself. You may also stumble or pass out if you are prone to feeling dizzy or light-headed. If you often feel dizzy, adjust your living or work environment to reduce these risks.
- Hide cables that risk tripping you when you feel dizzy. Don't place short objects such as leg braces or coffee tables in the middle of an area that you pass frequently.
- Use a night light so you don't feel confused at night (when the room is dark).
- Do not install thick carpets that make it difficult for your feet to feel changes in your position or posture.
- Place non-slip mats on the soaking tub and bathroom floor.
- Install handrails in corridors, bathrooms or stairs.
Step 7. Take motion sickness reliever medication
Medications such as these can relieve the dizziness symptoms associated with vertigo. Purchase an over-the-counter motion sickness reliever from a pharmacy or ask your doctor to prescribe a stronger medication. Most of these medications are not formulated to be taken for more than a few days so talk to your doctor if your dizziness lasts longer. Some of the drugs commonly given to treat vertigo or motion sickness include:
- Promethazine. Your doctor may suggest a dose of 12.5-25 milligrams (taken as a pill) or rectally (as a suppository), 3-4 times a day.
- Dimenhydrinate (Dramamin). Your doctor may give you 50 milligrams of medication to take every six hours. This drug is available in tablet, liquid, and suppository forms. Dimenhydrinate is usually the most popular antiemetic (antiemetic) and anti-nausea drug on the market.
- Meclizine (Bonin). Your doctor may give you this drug in doses of 25 milligrams to take every six hours. Do not give meclizine to children 12 years of age (and under) because this medication is not safe for young children.
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Doctors may give the drug in doses of 12.5-25 milligrams to be taken every 4-6 hours. Although it is more popularly used as an antihistamine to treat rashes and itching, or to promote sleep, diphenhydramine can also be taken to relieve motion sickness.
Step 8. Avoid substances that affect blood circulation
Dizziness is often triggered by low blood pressure. Avoid or limit intake of substances that can affect blood circulation, such as caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs.
Some drugs also trigger dizziness or lightheadedness as a side effect. Talk to your doctor if you suspect a medication you are currently taking is triggering symptoms of dizziness. Doctors can adjust the dose of the drug or replace it with an alternative drug
Step 9. See a doctor if your dizziness becomes more frequent or serious
Dizziness is sometimes a symptom of a more serious illness. If you feel dizzy more often than usual (or for longer), call your doctor. If your doctor can identify and treat the underlying cause, your dizziness may go away, or become less frequent or less excruciating. Dizziness can be a symptom of the following ailments:
- Disorders of the inner ear, such as labyrinthitis, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), or Meniere's disease.
- Anxiety disorders (eg post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD).
- Disorders of heart rhythm (eg atrial fibrillation).
- Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) or other circulatory disorders.
- Syncope (fainting due to decreased blood flow to the brain).
- Neurological disorders, such as brain injury, brain tumor, stroke, or seizures.
Method 3 of 3: Try Home Remedies or Solutions
Step 1. Use ginger to relieve vertigo and nausea
Although there are not many recent studies on the effectiveness of ginger, some older studies have shown that ginger can reduce vertigo symptoms. Ginger can also calm the stomach and reduce nausea which is often a side effect of dizziness. When you feel dizzy, try ginger tea or ginger soda (eg ginger beer or ginger ale).
- You can also take ginger supplements (in capsule form). Generally, the dose needed to treat nausea is 250 milligrams, 1-4 times a day. Your doctor can give you additional advice on a more effective dose.
- Alternatively, try eating ginger candy or chewing fresh ginger if it's not too spicy or bothersome.
Step 2. Ask your doctor about taking iron supplements
If your dizziness is a symptom of iron deficiency anemia, you may need to take an iron supplement. Watch for signs of anemia, such as fatigue, shortness of breath, or headaches. If you suspect that you have anemia, talk to your doctor about your condition before starting to take iron supplements.
- You can also increase iron levels in the body by eating a diet rich in meat, beans and legumes, green leafy vegetables, dried fruits, and iron-fortified cereals.
- There are several types of anemia and iron supplements are not always the right product to treat anemia. Your doctor may prescribe a product or suggest other treatments based on test results, such as taking vitamin B-12 supplements, blood transfusions, or other medications to suppress the immune system.
Step 3. Take ginkgo biloba supplements as a natural vertigo remedy
This supplement is made from the leaf extract of the ginkgo tree. Studies show that ginkgo biloba can be an effective drug for treating vertigo due to disorders of the inner ear. Check with your doctor first before taking ginkgo biloba supplements because the product may interact with other medications, such as blood thinners, anti-anxiety or antidepressants, diabetes, and pain relievers (eg ibuprofen such as Proris).
Some fairly common side effects of ginkgo biloba supplements include headaches, palpitations, stomach upset, constipation, and skin rashes. Unfortunately, for some people taking this supplement can worsen the dizziness they experience
Step 4. Use Pycnogenol if you have Meniere's disease
Pycnogenol is a supplement made from pine wood extract. Several clinical trials have shown that this product can reduce the symptoms of Meniere's disease, including vertigo, body imbalance, and hearing loss (eg tinnitus or hearing loss). Ask your doctor if Pycnogenol is safe and effective for you.
- You can get Pycnogenol from the vitamin and supplement product section of pharmacies, vitamin or health food stores, and the internet.
- Pycnogenol can make dizziness worse in some people. Other side effects that may be experienced include headache, upset stomach, bad breath, and mouth ulcers.
- Talk to your doctor before taking Pycnogenol if you have certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, hepatitis, bleeding disorders, or autoimmune diseases. This product may worsen symptoms of the disease or interact negatively with other medicines you are taking.
