Dizziness is a sudden feeling of lightheadedness, similar to a spinning sensation. It occurs when the brain perceives the body as being out of balance when it is not.
People who experience dizziness often know how difficult it can be. Symptoms can come on and intensify quickly, making the sufferer feel uncomfortable.
Dizziness is distracting and frightening. In addition to feeling dizzy and lightheaded, dizziness can lead to nausea, headaches, or double vision, so it is important to quickly relieve dizziness.
You can apply the following 8 strategies to help relieve dizziness quickly
1. Apply an ice pack to the neck
First, a little trick is to apply an ice pack to the upper part of the neck, between the ears at the base of the skull. A soft ice pack is best because it conforms to the contours of that area, but even a bag of frozen corn or peas wrapped in a towel will work.
The risk of applying ice to any area of skin is frostbite, so it is important not to apply ice for more than 20-30 minutes at a time. The skin should be brought to room temperature before re-icing, but this can be done several times a day.
Even if you do not have neck pain, applying ice to the upper part of your neck between your ears is a home remedy for vertigo because it helps calm the nervous system. It can be helpful for reducing both dizziness and nausea.
2. Keep your head still
The second main strategy for reducing symptoms of vertigo is to keep your head as still as possible. The vestibular system is stimulated by movement, so if the vestibular system is part of the problem causing your vertigo symptoms, reducing head movement may calm that system and reduce discomfort.
3. Keep your head upright
The third strategy for reducing vertigo is to keep your head upright, sitting upright or propping your head up on at least two pillows. This is because the most common cause of inner ear vertigo, or BPPV, is often caused by lying down or rolling over in bed.
4. Breathe through your nose into your belly
The fourth main strategy is to breathe through your nose into your belly. Breathing through your mouth into your upper chest can make vertigo symptoms worse and last longer, so breathing through your nose, deep into your belly, is ideal for reducing vertigo symptoms.
5. Eat ginger
One home remedy for nausea associated with vertigo is to eat ginger, but this only works for people who are not allergic to ginger.
Ginger can be used in foods, teas, or candies. All of these methods of consuming ginger can help reduce nausea.
6. Use peppermint
Another home remedy for nausea is to use peppermint, but this only works for people who are not allergic to peppermint.
Peppermint can be brewed into tea or eaten as candy.
Some people like to diffuse peppermint oil into the air or dab it on their temples (away from their eyes), but those who are unsure about their chemical sensitivities should use essential oils with caution.
7. Stare at a vertical line.
Another strategy that may help you relieve your vertigo symptoms is to stare at a vertical line as you move. This gives you an external reference for “vertical” and can help your brain reorient.
If you can’t find a vertical line, you can focus on a point.
Staring at a vertical line or point can stabilize your vertigo symptoms. This strategy works by using your visual system to override your vestibular system, as long as your eyes aren’t darting around.
8. Close Your Eyes
While sitting still, staring at a vertical line or point can help relieve symptoms of vertigo, but some people with acute inner ear infections may need to close their eyes for relief.
When people with vertigo are sitting still, I often ask them whether they find it more comfortable to stare at a vertical line or to close their eyes, and advise them whichever is most comfortable.
