How to Manage Your Vertigo

If you’ve ever felt that your room or environment is spinning in circles, you may have experienced vertigo.

It’s a common affliction — at least 40% of Americans report experiencing it at least once in their lifetime. 

Vertigo itself isn’t a condition but a symptom caused by any one of several other underlying conditions. If you experience it repeatedly, you’ll need to learn how to manage it and solve the root cause.

Our Advanced Medical Care physicians are experts in dealing with vertigo. Here’s what we suggest to help you manage your vertigo.

What exactly is vertigo?

When you experience vertigo, you feel that you’re moving or your environment is spinning in circles. Many people compare it to the feeling of motion sickness.

There are two main types of vertigo: central vertigo is caused by a problem in your brain (such as a stroke or brain tumor), while a problem with your inner ear causes peripheral vertigo. The most common cause is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), which is usually triggered by a change in the position of your head. 

Other common causes include Meniere’s disease (a buildup of fluid in the ear) and labyrinthitis, where your inner ear labyrinth becomes inflamed or infected. Migraines can also cause vertigo.

Vertigo attacks can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes, but in severe cases, vertigo can last for hours, days, weeks, or even months.

How to manage and treat your vertigo

You should see our specialists for your vertigo if it becomes a recurring problem or worsens. We run several tests to look for the root cause, but in the meantime, a few other techniques may help you manage your vertigo.

You should avoid quick movements. Move slowly and deliberately when you get out of bed or stand up. Don’t bend over to pick something up (ask for help or squat down to get it), and don’t extend your neck or move your head quickly. Sleep with your head elevated on a couple of pillows as well.

Treatments can include various medications, and several physical therapy exercises or movements can also help, including the Epley maneuver, a series of simple head movements you can perform at home. Vestibular rehabilitation training, which strengthens your sense of balance, is another helpful exercise.

If your vertigo worsens, come to see us immediately, so we can determine the underlying issues. Just contact one of our offices by phone or with our online booking tool, and keep your head up — there is hope!