Table of contents:
- What is vertigo?
- What should be done first to treat vertigo when it comes back?
- Is there a way to prevent frequent recurrence of vertigo?
Do you or maybe someone closest to you has vertigo? Often times, dizziness due to vertigo is difficult to distinguish from dizziness from other things. So, most people think of dizziness due to vertigo as normal, because they don't know that it is vertigo. This then makes the vertigo less quickly treated. Then, what should be done first to treat vertigo when it comes back?
What is vertigo?
Vertigo is a feeling like the world is spinning around, even when the person experiencing it is still. This is influenced by the inner ear, where this part of the ear is responsible for the balance you feel and also the feeling of your position in a place.
Disorders of the inner ear cause you to feel off balance and experience symptoms of vertigo, such as dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.
What should be done first to treat vertigo when it comes back?
Vertigo usually comes on suddenly. Many people think vertigo recurrence is caused by a sudden change in position, but it's not. The cause of vertigo recurrence is not known with certainty. When vertigo recurs, you will feel dizzy, spinning around you, feel unbalanced, nausea, and vomiting.
At this point, it's best to leave all your activities and lean back slowly to get rid of the vertigo quickly. Find a place that is not too bright to take a break. A dark room or lying down with your eyes closed can help reduce symptoms of nausea and the sensation of turning when vertigo recurs.
Take breaks and avoid thinking too hard or situations that stress you out. Stress can make vertigo symptoms worse. You may need to take medication as directed by your doctor when vertigo recurs.
Meanwhile, for vertigo caused by BPPV, it is recommended that you perform the Epley maneuver or the canalith repositioning procedure. This movement aims to reset the balance organ in the ear so that it can reduce the symptoms that appear when vertigo recurs.
Quoted from MedicineNet, the Epley maneuver causes movement of loose crystals (canaliths) in the inner ear. By repositioning these crystals, there will be less irritation to the inner ear so that the symptoms of vertigo can be reduced. It is best to perform the Epley maneuver under the direction of your doctor.
In addition, you can also do vestibular rehabilitation therapy. This is a series of eye and head movements that cause nerve sensitivity to decrease in the inner ear so that subsequent vertigo symptoms can be reduced. These exercises are designed to allow the brain to adapt and compensate for whatever is causing the vertigo. However, you must do these exercises under a doctor's direction. Instead, consult your doctor directly to find out the right therapy you are undergoing so that vertigo does not recur frequently.
Is there a way to prevent frequent recurrence of vertigo?
Stress can trigger vertigo. To prevent vertigo from recurring, you should reduce stress, for example by practicing deep breathing techniques, doing yoga or tai chi. Just knowing what is stressing you out can go a long way, so you can then develop strategies for dealing with it.
Dehydration can also trigger vertigo. You can drink lots of water, reduce salt so you don't urinate frequently, and avoid alcohol. Alcohol can dehydrate you. In addition, according to the Vestibular Disorders Association, alcohol can change the composition of the fluid in the inner ear, which can lead to vertigo.
No less important, you also have to make sure that you are getting enough sleep. Lack of sleep can trigger vertigo. If you find it impossible to get a good night's sleep, you can take up to several short naps during the day. For example, take a 2 hour nap once a day or take a 15 minute nap several times a day.
