Vertigo Home Remedy

Here is a list of vertigo home remedy and home treatment for vertigo. But what is vertigo? What causes vertigo? What are the symptoms of vertigo? How long does vertigo last?

Vertigo is a term that doctors use to describe the condition when patients experience an illusion of movement or motion. There are several types of vertigo but the most common form is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo or BPPV.

A person who suffers from vertigo sense that his surrounding is moving or feels that he is spinning, losing balance and going to fall even though he is actually standing still and the environment is stationary. Besides feeling dizzy, lightheaded and out of balance, vertigo symptoms may also include blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, sweating and abnormal eye movements.

Some of the possible causes of vertigo include the common cold virus, migraine, head trauma or a blow to the head and Meniere's disease which is a disorder of the inner ear. Other vertigo causes include changing the direction, position or movement of your head and labyrinthitis which is an inflammation of the inner ear.

Vertigo can be very brief and the symptoms normally will disappear in a few minutes. It can also last long and prolong for several days or more. If you experience vertigo for more than a week and the symptoms are accompanied by chest pain, high fever, numbness, double vision or loss of vision, falling, weakness and trouble speaking, it could indicate a more serious problem such as stroke, multiple sclerosis or a cardiac problem and you should see a doctor.

Vertigo home remedy No. 1 - Herbal remedies

Treatment for vertigo depends on the diagnosis, the cause or what triggers it. Certain herbs may help reduce or treat vertigo symptoms.

If it is associated with a viral infection in the ear which leads to labyrinthitis, chewing ginger or drinking ginger tea may help stop the spinning sensation and nausea. Antibiotics may also help and some examples of natural antibiotics are echinacea, garlic and goldenseal.
Migraine headache can also cause vertigo. Some of the herbs that are effective in treating the problem are feverfew, valerian root and white willow bark.
If you have Meniere's disease, the common symptoms include vertigo and tinnitus or ringing in the ear. Taking calcium supplements and anti-inflammatory herbs as well as eating foods high in anti-oxidants may help. Some examples of herbs that have anti inflammatory activities are boswellia, ginger and turmeric.
Herbs that help improve blood circulation such as ginkgo biloba is also beneficial.

Vertigo home remedy No. 2 - Change your sleeping position

If you realize that you experience vertigo symptoms upon waking up, try to sit still for a few minutes until the spinning sensation disappears. Also consider changing your sleeping position. Instead of sleeping on your back, try sleeping on the side or on your stomach and notice if it does make a difference.

If it happens only when you lie down, try to elevate your head when you sleep by putting additional pillows. And if either one or both of your ears are the triggers and you feel as if your world is spinning whenever you sleep on any side, avoid this sleeping position.

Vertigo home remedy No. 3 - Control your motions or movements

If you feel dizzy whenever you stand up from a sitting position, take your time to do so. Avoid jerking your head and your neck especially bending your neck while looking up.

Another method is to control your focus of attention when you sense that an attack is approaching. Sit straight and focus intently on a stationary object until the dizziness stops.

You may have to reduce playing fast video games or the PSP and even from watching television because they affect your eye movements and focus and can make you feel dizzy and out of balance.

Vertigo home remedy No. 4 - Exercises for vertigo

Experts recommend the Brandt-Daroff or Epley manoeuvre exercises to treat benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Brandt-Daroff exercises are more effective compared to Epley. And the exercises should be performed for two weeks three times per day or for three weeks twice per day.

Here are the Brandt-Daroff exercises compiled by Edmond Ferdinandus

Start sitting upright. Then move into the side-lying position, with the head angled upward about halfway. An easy way to remember this is to imagine someone standing about 6 feet in front of you, and just keep looking at their head at all times. Stay in the side-lying position for 30 seconds, or until the dizziness subsides if this is longer, then go back to the sitting position. Stay there for 30 seconds, and then go to the opposite side and follow the same routine 5 times.

Vertigo home remedy No. 5 - Alternative vertigo treatments

If you don't know the underlying cause of vertigo, acupuncture would help. You should see an acupuncturist to get this treatment but you can do it yourself using an acupuncture electronic probe or digital acupuncture and pressure point locator.
A massage therapy is helpful. It can be as simple as getting help from someone to massage your head when you experience the symptoms of vertigo. A full body massage will also benefit if the symptoms is associated with stress.
If it is due to a neck trauma, you may want to consider trying chiropractic treatment.
Guided meditation which focuses on breathing exercises and altering your brainwaves to allow positive suggestions to your brain may also help as vertigo home remedy.
Deep breathing exercise helps improve blood flow to your brain. The easiest way to do it is to breathe in deeply from your stomach and through your nose at the count of five, hold your breath at the count of twenty and slowly releasing it at the count of 10 through your mouth.

Vertigo home remedy No. 6 - Lifestyle changes

Drinking alcohol, smoking, and stress don't cause vertigo but they can trigger the symptoms or worsen the condition. It is best that you reduce or quit drinking and smoking especially if you suffer from labyrinthitis. And stress is known to increase the risk of illness. Doing regular exercise and stress relaxation techniques would really help.

Certain foods such as caffeine, chocolates and fried foods can make the symptoms worst. What would help as vertigo home remedy when it comes to food is to avoid them and to eat more protein rich foods, foods high in vitamins or take dietary supplements such as vitamin B and vitamin C. Drinking lots of water and adding lemon juice as a beverage is recommended.

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