Vertigo: Home Remedies, Causes, Symptoms,and Dizziness Treatment

What is vertigo

Have you ever felt like dizziness and sensation that everything around you is spinning? Basically the definition of vertigo is feeling of sensation that world is spinning or everything is rotating around you. You may be perfectly still (sitting or standing) but experience sensation like earth is rotating. Such condition is caused by ear problems and other health conditions. You may also feel ringing bells in your ear and frequent pain. There are many other things which can trigger such dizziness apart from ear problems.

To put things in perspective, do you remember spinning round and round in your childhood? after spinning for few minutes how world looks like rotating and spinning around you, that is exactly how vertigo feels like.
Self induced dizziness don’t last longer but can cause mood swing. Blackness in front of your eyes is not vertigo so don’t confuse it with that. Don’t stress out look for the causes below.

What causes vertigo

Inner ear problems are one of the major causes of vertigo. Ear problems can make it difficult for sound waves to travel and get transmitted to your brain. If you suffer from calcium deposit in your inner ear canal then these waves can create illusion and cause vertigo. However, here are some of the most common causes:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): It is one of the most common type of vertigo. When your inner ear canals is filled with calcium particles, also known as canaliths, causes dizziness. It causes your ear to send fake signals to your mind that your body is moving. This very part of ear help us to make balance against gravity.
• Ear Infection: The problems like Vestibular neuritis or Labyrinthitis infection also causes vertigo. It causes inflammation of nerves which leads to mental confusion. You may feel like earth is going down and lose balance.
• Brain Injuries: Brain is one of the most important part of our body. You can say that brain is the processor of behavior and balancing senses. Tumor development in brain can be another reason for those dizziness.
• Neck Injuries.
• Sinus and Migraine Headaches.
• Meniere’s disease: Inner ear disorders such as Meniere’s disease can also cause vertigo. It trigger buildup of fluids in your inner ear glands. Such condition can change the pressure and make your mind trick you.
• Medicines that damages eardrum.

What are the common vertigo symptoms

There are many symptoms which can help you identify vertigo. It is basically shift in your brain senses which can many you feel these symptoms. Here are common symptoms of vertigo(1).

• Spinning
• Rotating
• Swaying
• Tilting
• Sensation of unbalancing
• Pulled to one direction
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Blurred Vision

Some other common symptoms which are caused by vertigo:

• Anxiety
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sweating
• Headache
• Abnormal eye movement
• Ringing in the ears
• Loss of hearing

All these symptoms can be triggered at any point of time. They may last for few minutes or for multiple hours. If you are experiencing vertigo at home, then there are effective home remedies to get rid of vertigo. Below is the list of most used and common remedies followed by people to avoid symptoms.

Home Remedies for Vertigo

1. Lemon Juice

Lemon is rich source of vitamin C and potassium(2). It is often used to cure stomach infections and to cleanse your body from toxic enzymes. Potassium found in lemon stimulates brain cells. It help brain focus and improve overall concentration.
Potassium is one type of electrolyte which helps your body work properly and calms muscle contraction.
Lemon juice is an excellent vertigo home remedy. It help brain understand the situation better and calms down mind. Lemon improve processing speed of brain which can help you stop vertigo fast.
How to use:

• Pick few fresh lemons and extract 4 tablespoons of juice.
• Take one glass of lukewarm water.
• Mix 3 tablespoons of lemon juice.
• Drink the remaining 1 tablespoon of juice directly.
• Now, drink the lime juice with lukewarm water.
• Use this remedy when ever required.

2. Epley Maneuver

Epley Maneuver for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is the first exercise you should follow. Various studies justify the use of Epley maneuver to stop BPPV effectively.
Consider this as vertigo exercise which help reduce major symptoms. Also called the “Canalith” re-positioning maneuver, it improves the concentration of mind and regulate the deposits in inner ear glands.

Epley Maneuver – Credit: Neurology.org

How to do Epley maneuver at home:

• When you experience vertigo at home then sit on flat surface.
• Close your eyes and take a deep breath and release.
• Tilt your head 45 degree towards left.
• Now slowly lie down holding the same position (use a pillow below head).
• Stay like that for 30 seconds.
• Then turn your head complete 90 degree.
• Now slowly turn to your right keeping your head tilted.
• Use your whole body while shifting to the right.
• Don’t lift your neck during the shift.
• Stay in your right for another 30 seconds.
• Slowly return to sitting up straight.

3. Peppermint Essential Oil for Vertigo Treatment

Peppermint is the cross between water-mint and spearmint. Because if its hybrid nature, this mint carries health benefits of both parent mint. Indigenous to Europe but now cultivated in most part of the world. Peppermint has calming effects which help treat headache, dizziness and anxiety.
Peppermint can help you get rid of vertigo symptoms and provide fast relief(3). Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, peppermint oil can help you reduce swelling of glands under your ear.
How to use:

• Open the bottle of peppermint oil and inhale the vapor few times.
• Take few drops on your hand and apply it on your forehead.
• Apply 2-3 drops under and behind your both ears.
• Keep the oil until symptoms are gone.
• Use this home remedy multiple times for best results.

4. Ginkgo Biloba For Vertigo

Ginkgo biloba is considered as Ayurvedic Tree with calming effect. People uses its extract to boost blood circulation. Increased circulation around ears help brain concentrate better. Ginkgo biloba help reduce tension and inner ear inflammation.
Thanks to its nerve stimulating properties, Ginkgo biloba can treat vertigo effectively(4). It also help cure common symptoms like headache, dizziness, anxiety and confusion.

How to use ginkgo biloba:

• You will need the extract of ginkgo biloba.
• Take one cup of lukewarm water.
• Mix 1 tablespoon of the extract.
• Soak a cotton ball in this solution.
• Apply it over your neck and around ears.
• Alternatively, you can buy Ginkgo biloba tablets.
• For adults, take a 120mg tablet per day.

5. Semont-Toupet Maneuver to Stop Vertigo

It is a set of movements likely similar to Epley maneuver to treat vertigo. According to one study, this exercise is effective in getting rid of symptoms like dizziness, confusion and spinning of world around you.
This is re-positioning maneuver to help your neck and brain. It clears the confusing state of mind and also help you get rid of anxiety and stress. This requires fewer steps than Epley maneuver.

How to do Semont-Toupet Maneuver at home:

• Sit straight by stretching your legs outwards on a flat surface.
• Slowly lie down on flat surface.
• Turn to your left side and move your face towards right, looking upwards.
• Hold the position for 5 seconds then quickly sit-up and turn to your right side.
• When you turn to your right side, you will be looking down towards ground.
• Hold for 5 seconds then return to original position.
• Repeat several times until you feel better.

6. Essential Oils for Vertigo

We know that many essential oils has multiple health benefits. Blend of cypress and basil oils has calming properties. It also increase blood circulation. Cypress oil has potent stimulating properties which help cure dizziness(5).
Increase in blood circulation means more oxygen to brain which help stop vertigo and its symptoms like headache, dizziness and anxiety(6).
How to use:

• Mix equal amount of both basil and cypress essential oils.
• Put them in an essential oil diffuser.
• Diffuse this blend when ever you feel dizziness.
• You can use this remedy everyday even to calm your mind.

7. Drink Water

Not only inner ear infection but lack of water in your body can also cause vertigo. Hydrating your body can help you relax your mind and control the balance.
Try to drink at-least 2 liters of water everyday. It boost brain functions and help you stop vertigo at home.
If you are an active person who sweats a lot then try sipping water ever half hour. It will support the dehydration and keep your water levels high. To make this more effective you can add citrus juices.
How to use:

• Take one glass of water.
• Mix 2 tablespoons of orange or lemon juice.
• Stir well and drink it multiple times a day.

8. Ginger

Ginger is an excellent home remedy for vertigo. It help eliminate symptoms like dizziness and nausea. Ginger is highly used to cure morning sickness. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, ginger can help cure inflammation of inner ear glands(7).
Giddiness (a sensation of whirling and a tendency to fall or stagger) is caused by limited blood circulation to brain cells. Ginger improve the circulation and help you treat giddiness effectively.
There are research and studies who back the efficacy of ginger in treating vertigo quickly. It has antiseptic and aromatic properties which treat infection and also help with headache and nausea.
How to use:

• Grate one medium size raw ginger.
• Mix grated ginger in one cup of lukewarm water.
• Add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and stir well.
• Drink this 3-4 times in a day to stop sensation of falling.
• It will also improve blood circulation.

9. Vertigo Exercises

The importance of exercise are not only limited to physical fitness but also extended to cure health conditions. Some simple exercises can help you stop vertigo and it symptoms. They are effective in reducing the symptoms to a great extent.

• Sideways Swaying: Tilt your head to the right and then to the left. Repeat this 15-20 times back to back. Do it slowly or you will end up feeling sensation of falling to the ground.
• To and Fro Swaying: Sit down on a flat surface. Move your head front and back 20 times. Do it slowly and take a pause of 2-3 seconds before repeating it again. Don’t forget to close your eyes while doing this exercise.
• Romberg Exercise: It is a simple exercise which requires a chair and a wall behind your back. Put the chair in front of you and stand straight with the arms by the side. Hold the position for 30 seconds then repeat. It help stop vertigo fast.

10. Butcher’s Broom Herb for Vertigo

Butcher’s broom is a herb with medicinal properties. It can stimulate nerve to improve blood circulation. More blood in brain means more oxygen which is vital for proper brain functioning.
Butcher’s broom is highly effective in curing vertigo, caused due to Meniere’s disease. According to WebMd, it is used for treating poor blood circulation problems such as varicose veins, heaviness and swelling in legs and feet.
The medicine is made from the root of this plant. It is possibly safe for adults when consumed by mouth for 3 months.
How to stop vertigo with Butcher’s broom:

• Buy a bottle of 150 mg tablets.
• Eat 1 tablet before going to sleep.
• Alternatively, you can brew one cup of herbal tea.
• Use 1 teaspoon of dried root powder of Butcher’s broom.
• You can sip 2 cups in one day.

How long does vertigo last

Its longevity depends on the health condition which is causing this problem. Inner ear infection such as Meniere’s disease triggered vertigo can last up-to 6 weeks. It also causes tinnitus and hearing loss.
Due to fluid buildup you can experience aural fullness (a feeling of pressure in your ear). It trigger vertigo which may last up-to 3 weeks.
It usually lasts a few hours or days if not triggered by inner ear diseases. However, if you are having pain in your ear consult your doctor for best treatment.

How to Prevent Vertigo

Yes, the prevention is possible. There are simple lifestyle changes and eating habits which can help you cure vertigo and prevent it from recurring.

• Keep you ear clean.
• Don’t smoke and also avoid passive smoking.
• Eat antibiotic foods.
• Practice yoga in the morning.
• Sleep for 8-9 hours in night.
• Eat citrus and potassium rich fruits.
• Don’t panic or stress.
• Avoid consumption of alcohol.
• Rotate your head in circular motion 2-3 times a day.

Conclusion on Vertigo Treatment at Home

We learnt that, it is caused by ear infection, dehydration and low blood circulation. To improve the efficacy of these remedies start eating healthy. Avoid trans fat foods and foods that trigger vertigo. To name a few, salty foods, high sugary foods, aged cheese like cheddar or mozzarella and processed meat are the one you should not eat.
Eat foods which improves blood circulation and are antibiotic in nature. Incorporate fish, whole grain bread, vitamin C, potassium and vitamin B3 rich foods in your diet.

So you know how to stop vertigo with home remedies. Follow multiple home remedies at once to get fast results. Also practice mind calming yoga and drink water regularly.

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