Vertigo is the feeling that the world is spinning or moving even when you are still. Dizziness caused by vertigo can trigger nausea, balance problems, confusion, and other disorders. Vertigo can be diagnosed as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) or it can be a symptom of another problem. To stop vertigo, you need to find out what's causing it and treat it accordingly. Read more on this guide to find out how to stop vertigo.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Making Lifestyle Changes To Prevent Vertigo
Step 1. Sleep with your head held high
Vertigo occurs when tiny calcium carbonate crystals in one part of your ear move to another part of your ear. This disrupts balance and triggers the uncomfortable sensation of dizziness, vertigo. These crystals can move at night when you move your head in certain ways, and sleeping with your head slightly elevated will prevent this from happening often.
Sleep on your back, don't sleep on your stomach, and provide an extra pillow for your head when you sleep
Step 2. Don't lower your head below your shoulders
This movement can move the crystals on the inside of your ear and cause vertigo. Understanding your body's movements and preventing it from curling up can be very helpful.
- If you need to grab something, it's better to bend your knees to lower your body, rather than bend your body at the waist.
- Don't do sports that require you to turn your body upside down or bend forward.
Step 3. Don't lengthen your neck
The movement you make when you extend your neck, when you reach for something for example, can cause the crystals in your ear to move as well. So try not to stretch your neck up. As you stretch your neck, try to move your head slowly, don't lift your head up suddenly.
Step 4. Avoid making sudden movements
Any sudden movement you make can cause your head to move, causing vertigo, especially if you are prone to experiencing it. Avoid activities that require you to move your head quickly.
- Don't ride roller coasters or other rides that cause your head to swing back and forth.
- Avoid sports that put you at risk for sudden head movements. You can swim, walk, and jog, instead of doing high-impact sports.
Step 5. Quit smoking
Tobacco smoking has been shown to decrease the effectiveness of vertigo treatment. Stop smoking and using other tobacco products and your vertigo episodes will decrease in both frequency and severity.
Step 6. Get your eyes checked
Vertigo can be very bad if you have poor vision. Be sure to have your eyes checked regularly at your ophthalmologist. Also make sure you have glasses that match your vision condition.
Step 7. Watch your diet
Too much caffeine and salt can make vertigo symptoms worse. Limit alcohol consumption and avoid smoking. Drink plenty of water and be sure to include foods that are high in vitamins and minerals in your diet.
Step 8. Create an exercise program
Many people with vertigo feel that exercise can help cure vertigo. Start slowly and begin by moving your head slowly from side to side in a standing position. Simple stretching and walking can also reduce vertigo symptoms.
Step 9. Consume more ginger
Plants that are very beneficial for health can treat various disorders, including vertigo. Take ginger capsules daily, or eat foods that contain ginger. Ginger is known to be able to help people with vertigo a lot to reduce their symptoms.
Step 10. Try a treatment for inflammation of the outer ear
Inflammation of the outer ear (often caused by water entering the ear canal) is a problem similar to vertigo. Taking over-the-counter medications intended for the treatment of inflammation of the outer ear is one easy way to treat vertigo symptoms.
Step 11. Use magnets
The common belief in the 90s that magnets could be used as a natural therapy might work in cases of vertigo. Place a magnet on the back of your head for 20-30 minutes while you lie down, and you should feel an improvement in vertigo symptoms. Magnets may be able to move crystals trapped inside your ear causing vertigo.
Method 2 of 2: Getting Treatment For Vertigo
Step 1. Receive a diagnosis
Visit your doctor to find out the cause of your vertigo. Vertigo is often associated with two inner ear disorders known as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and Méniére's disease, but it can also be caused by many other things. Don't try to self-medicate for BPPV or Méniére's unless you have a diagnosis and are sure of what you have. Treatment for this disorder will not be successful in relieving vertigo caused by other causes. The following are some other conditions that can cause vertigo:
- Other inner ear disorders such as vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis
- Head and ear trauma
- Migraine headache
- Reduced blood flow in the arteries that supply blood to the veins.
- Brain tumor
- stroke
- Complications from drinking alcohol or taking drugs.
Step 2. Ask the doctor to identify which ear is causing your problem
You need to know this because the treatment you receive may differ depending on which ear hurts.
- Pay attention when you start to get dizzy. If you are dizzy and you roll over to the right side of the bed, then it is likely your right ear that hurts.
- If you can't figure out which ear is causing the problem, then ask your doctor.
Step 3. Try the Epley move if you suffer from BPPV
The Epley movement is a series of head movements that return the loose crystals in your ear back to their proper place. Epley movements can be done easily by doctors without any special equipment. The Epley movement is an effective BPPV therapy when performed correctly.
- After your doctor has shown you how to do the Epley movement, you can do it yourself at home when you experience vertigo again. You can watch online videos to learn how to adjust your different head positions.
- Stabilize your neck for 48 hours after performing the Epley movement.
- Do not perform the Epley movement if you are not sure that you have BPPV. If you have other causes, you need to make sure you get the right treatment.
Step 4. Regulate body fluids to treat Méniére's disease
You can relieve symptoms and reduce the frequency of vertigo episodes caused by this inner ear disorder by controlling your body's fluid retention. Try the following methods to do this:
- Limit consumption of salt and foods that contain MSG.
- Consider taking diuretics that can reduce body fluid retention. #*Consider taking betahistine hydrochloride. This drug is said to reduce the frequency and severity of vertigo attacks by increasing blood flow around the inner ear. This drug is primarily used in the treatment of Méniére's disease. Ask your doctor for more information about this treatment.
Step 5. Consider having surgery
If non-surgical treatment doesn't prove to be effective for you, there are surgical procedures that can treat vertigo caused by certain inner ear disorders. If your vertigo is caused by one of these disorders, your vertigo can be cured with surgery:
- BPPV
- Meniere's disease
- Vestibular neuronitis
- Chronic labyrinthitis
