The term "vertigo" can take on a different weight and meaning depending on the person. Since this is an imprecise symptom that can have a variety of causes, finding a way to alleviate it can become a trial-and-error process. There are several steps to take to stop dizziness. However, if they do not go away after some strategies are used, consult your doctor to evaluate and identify the cause.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Try Quick Solutions
Step 1. Sit or lie down
Usually, vertigo and dizziness occur when you get up or move around. At the first signs of lightheadedness, sit or lie down immediately. This way, you can relieve the feeling of numbness and protect yourself in the event of a fall.
- If you sit down, try placing your head between your legs to increase blood circulation to the brain. Lying down will achieve the same effect.
- Sit or lie down for a couple of minutes or until the dizziness subsides.
Step 2. Drink some water
Dizziness is often caused by dehydration which, in turn, can be triggered by a lack of water supply during the day or a failure to replenish the fluids lost during and after physical activity. Dizziness can also be caused by an illness which, by causing vomiting, diarrhea or fever, tends to deplete the body's resources. Once the worst is over, you should increase your consumption of water and other liquids.
If you can't get a lot of water, try something else, like an energy drink, low-sweetened hot tea, soup, broth, or diluted fruit juice
Step 3. Eat something
Dizziness can be caused by hypoglycemia, especially in diabetics. When they show up, have a small snack, preferably sugar or carbohydrate based. A chocolate bar or a banana might be fine in these cases.
Step 4. Focus on one particular point
To prevent dizziness, many dancers look at a fixed point as they move and pirouette. The same technique can be used by those suffering from vertigo.
If you focus your gaze on a particular point, such as a crack in the ceiling or a stain on the floor, you can inhibit the physical perception that makes you believe that everything is spinning around, realizing that, contrary to what your body tells you, nothing is. is moving
Step 5. Breathe deeply
Sometimes dizziness can be a symptom of an anxiety crisis. During these episodes there is a feeling of not being able to breathe fully. However, the problem is that you try to breathe too much. In this case, try slowing your breath and making it deeper. It will help you calm down and relieve dizziness.
Step 6. Avoid strong lights
If you feel dizzy, try to avoid bright lights or lights coming from televisions and screens.
- Lights that are too bright can confuse you and amplify the feeling of dizziness.
- Try sitting or lying in a dark room, otherwise close your eyes for a couple of minutes.
Step 7. Perform the Epley maneuver
The Epley maneuver is an exercise used to calm dizziness and involves tilting the head and neck. In practice, the maneuver forces the calcium oxalate crystals, at the origin of this sensation, into an area of the inner ear where they can no longer cause symptoms. To do it:
- Sit down and tilt your head horizontally 45 degrees to the side of the affected ear.
- Lie on your back, keeping your head turned 45 degrees; stay in this position for a couple of minutes; you should feel the dizziness subside.
- Turn your head 90 degrees towards the other ear; turn on your side; you should look at the floor.
- Stay in this position; you may be suffering from another bout of vertigo, but this should subside within a minute.
- Slowly return to a sitting position.
Part 2 of 3: Finding Long-Term Solutions
Step 1. Move slowly
If you are prone to fits of dizziness, it is important not to make sudden movements because moving too quickly could compromise your blood pressure. Therefore, whether you are sitting or standing, you should move slowly and with calculated gestures, supporting yourself, if possible, on a stable surface, such as a railing.
- When you wake up in the morning, get up slowly. First you should sit calmly on the bed, then rest your feet on the floor. Relax for a moment and breathe before slowly standing up.
- When moving from sitting to standing, flex your legs first. This will promote circulation and reduce lightheadedness.
Step 2. Increase your daily fluid intake
Dehydration can affect blood pressure, causing dizziness. Prevent it by drinking between 6 and 8 glasses of water a day. However, if you are already dehydrated, try a sports drink. The electrolytes contained in these products help to rehydrate the body quickly and are more effective than plain water. Additionally, higher sodium intake can be beneficial under certain conditions.
Step 3. Rest
It is normal to feel dizzy or lightheaded when suffering from some viral illness, such as a cold or the flu. In these cases, getting enough rest will help you recover faster and relieve the feeling of dizziness.
Step 4. Keep a journal
It may sound strange, but by recording the episodes in which you manifest this symptom, you should learn to identify the triggers and avoid them next time.
For example, dizziness can be caused by hunger, sudden movements when you get up or showering with very hot water. If you spot the triggers, you will be able to counter them early
Step 5. Wear flat shoes
If you tend to suffer from fits of vertigo, high heels are probably not a good choice. Flat shoes allow the brain to keep posture under control, thus keeping the whole body in balance. They also decrease the risk of ankle sprains if you fall during a dizzy episode.
Step 6. Change the environment in which you move
One of the biggest concerns of vertigo sufferers is that the feeling of lightheadedness can lead to falls and injuries. In these cases, you should properly organize the home you live in or your work environment in order to reduce these risks.
- Remove all electrical cords you could trip over if you feel dizzy.
- Install night lights to keep your brain from becoming disoriented in the dark.
- Avoid carpeting that is too high which makes it more difficult for the feet to detect changes in position and posture.
- Use non-slip mats in the bathtub and on the bathroom floor.
Step 7. Take medications to treat motion sickness
Motion sickness tablets help relieve symptoms associated with dizziness. You can buy them directly at the pharmacy or have your doctor prescribe something stronger. They are useful in case of acute (severe) dizziness or as soon as an episode begins, but do not take them for more than 7 days and be sure to consult your doctor. Anti-motion sickness drugs and related dosages include:
- Promethazine. Your doctor may prescribe 12.5-25 mg of promethazine, taken orally (in the form of tablets) or rectally (in the form of suppositories), 3-4 times a day.
- Dimenhydrinate (Xamamina). Your doctor may prescribe 50 mg, every 6 hours. Available in tablet, liquid and suppository form, dimenhydrinate is the best-selling anti-emetic and anti-nausea drug.
- Meclizine. Your doctor may prescribe 25 mg, every 6 hours. It should not be taken by children under the age of 12 as it is not safe for people in this age group.
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Your doctor may prescribe 12.5-25 mg, every 4-6 hours. Although most commonly used as an antihistamine in the treatment of rashes and itching, diphenhydramine is commonly used in the treatment of motion sickness and is readily available in pharmacies.
Step 8. Avoid substances that affect blood circulation
Often, dizziness is caused by hypotension, so try to avoid or limit your intake of substances that affect blood circulation, such as caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, and drugs.
Step 9. Pay attention to symptoms caused by more serious conditions
Sometimes dizziness is a symptom of more serious illness. Therefore, it is advisable to consult your doctor.
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Your doctor may order tests to find the cause of the problem. Dizziness can be a symptom of:
- A pathological condition of the inner ear, such as labyrinthitis, cupololithiasis (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) or Ménière's disease;
- An anxiety disorder, such as post-traumatic stress disorder
- An alteration of the heart rhythm, such as atrial fibrillation
- Postural orthostatic tachycardia or another circulatory problem;
- Syncope.
Part 3 of 3: Resorting to Home Remedies
Stop Dizziness Step 17 Step 1. Try ginger
Ginger has been used for hundreds of years in numerous natural remedies, including to treat dizziness and nausea. It's not just a herbal cure-all. In fact, some scientific studies have shown its effectiveness in stopping dizziness, as well as finding that it can actually relieve lightheadedness faster than some over-the-counter medications. Ginger calms dizziness by stimulating the blood supply to the brain when the problem is caused by poor circulation. Here are some ways to add it to your diet:
- Taking supplements in capsule form;
- Chew a small slice of fresh ginger root;
- Drink a beer or ginger tea - to make the tea, dip a few pieces of fresh root in a cup of boiling water;
- Consume ginger candy or lollipops.
Stop Dizziness Step 18 Step 2. Opt for celery juice
Celery juice is able to relieve dizziness caused by hypotension. You can buy it at a health food store or make it at home by blending fresh celery in the juicer.
Stop Dizziness Step 19 Step 3. Drink a mixture of honey and apple cider vinegar
Two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar combined with two teaspoons of honey in a glass of hot or cold water, three times a day, help regulate blood pressure and can relieve dizziness.
Stop Dizziness Step 20 Step 4. Take an iron supplement
If dizziness is due to iron deficiency anemia, you should take an iron supplement. Pay attention to the other symptoms of anemia, such as fatigue, breathlessness and headache. If you suspect this deficiency, consult your doctor before starting iron supplementation.
Stop Dizziness Step 21 Step 5. Take the gingko biloba
Ginkgo biloba is a widely used plant for treating ailments. It helps to relieve the problem of vertigo because it promotes blood circulation in the inner ear, allowing to soothe some problems of this organ. It is available in the form of tablets, liquid extracts and dried leaves.
Stop Dizziness Step 22 Step 6. Assume the feverfew
Another great plant for relieving vertigo is feverfew. Not only has it been shown to calm migraines, it is also able to relieve inflammatory processes in the inner ear while improving blood circulation. Feverfew supplements are available in the form of capsules, tablets, and liquid extracts.
