Do you experience dizziness, and a sensation of spinning, whirling, tilting, or swaying despite standing still? If yes, then you might be experiencing vertigo. Vestibular disorders and other health problems can cause vertigo. Several other conditions such as hearing problems, headaches, nausea, migraines, and abnormal movement of the eyes can come with vertigo. I’m a vertigo chiropractic expert in Blue Ash, OH and I have ten special tips for you on how to get relief from vertigo without the use of medications or invasive procedures.
#1 Quit Alcohol
Alcohol is dehydrating for the body, and it changes the fluid volume and composition of the inner ear. Excess inner ear fluid called endolymph is associated with Meniere’s disease, which can cause vertigo. Avoiding alcohol consumption as much as possible may help alleviate your vertigo symptoms.
#2 Try Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers
A common condition that causes vertigo is BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo). This is due to a displacement of some of the calcium crystals in the inner ear, and moving your head in certain directions can make it worse. This can bring about several effects, including vertigo. This is because the displacement of the crystals disrupts the signals that the inner ear sends to the brain regarding the body’s position. Doing coordinated movements with the head to reposition these crystals is an effective way to relieve the symptoms of BPPV. The Epley maneuver is the widely used canalith repositioning maneuver.
#3 Eat Anti-inflammatory Foods
Anti-inflammatory food such as healthy fats (like wild-caught fish, avocado, and coconut oil), leafy greens (which are high in potassium that lowers the blood pressure), lean protein from clean sources (grass-fed meats, cage-free eggs, etc.), and fresh fruits help in stabilizing the blood pressure and relieving dehydration.
#4 Drink Enough Water
The amount of water you drink per day can affect your vertigo or dizziness. Even mild levels of dehydration can lower your blood pressure, which leaves you nauseated, dizzy, and off-balance. Low sodium diets are recommended by doctors to people with vertigo to help with hydration and reduce fluid retention in the inner ear.
#5 Eliminate Stress When Possible
A person who is under a lot of stress is more likely to develop or increase the severity of vertigo. Chronic stress has several negative effects on your health, including decreased immunity, as well as negatively affecting your sleep. Activities such as meditation, yoga, taking warm baths, and use of essential oils can help in decreasing stress levels.
#6 Get Some Sun
Vitamin D deficiency can aggravate BPPV symptoms. Only a few foods contain vitamin D, and even those do not contain much, so the best way to get vitamin D is by sun exposure or by using a supplement. The most natural way to get a healthy amount of vitamin D is for UVB rays to get absorbed in your skin. However, this may not be possible for people living in certain climates, so vitamin D3 supplements are usually sufficient.
#7 Get Plenty of Sleep
Lacking enough sleep consistently can bring about vertigo. To have a good night’s sleep, establish a regular sleep and rise time, and make sure to sleep up to 7 to 8 hours per night. This also helps in lowering blood pressure and reducing stress. To avoid experiencing vertigo as soon as you wake up, slowly rise out of your bed in the morning to give your ears and head time to acclimate to the new position.
#8 Find Helpful Supplements
Deficiencies in certain nutrients can cause dizziness and vertigo. Increasing your intake of vitamin D, vitamin B12, ginger, and ginko biloba can help in relieving vertigo symptoms and regaining balance.
#9 Consider Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy
Vestibular rehabilitation is a branch of physical therapy that targets the organs responsible for maintaining balance, and our vestibular system is the main one responsible for this job. This system constantly sends signals to your brain regarding the position for your body. Activities in vestibular rehabilitation therapy include exercises to improve hand-eye coordination, balance, muscle strengthening, and endurance.
#10 – Turn to Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care
Upper cervical chiropractic care is a subspecialty of the chiropractic profession that focuses on the uppermost vertebrae in the spine. Problems of the upper cervical area of the neck can be responsible for many common health conditions, including conditions that cause vertigo. Misalignment of the upper cervical spine can cause problems in the functioning of the brainstem, blood flow between the brain and the neck, and the ability of the inner ear to drain fluid properly. Many people who suffered from vertigo got long-lasting, natural relief after receiving adjustments to their two top vertebrae. This is most important for people with vertigo who also have a history of injuries to the head and neck.
Here at Cincinnati Upper Cervical and Family Chiropractic in Blue Ash, Ohio, we perform gentle and precise methods in making sure that the upper cervical spine is aligned correctly. For those who are suffering from vertigo, you can visit us to receive the few specific adjustments that can help in restoring your best quality of life.
References:
http://vestibular.org/understanding-vestibular-disorders/treatment/vestibular-diet
