What can cause vertigo to worsen?
Avoid extending your neck or looking down for prolonged periods – for example, while reaching a high shelf. Move your head carefully and slowly during daily activities. Do exercises that trigger your vertigo, so your brain gets used to it and reduces the symptoms (do these only after making sure you won’t fall and have support if needed). Spending extended periods on your phone or bending to read a book can exacerbate vertigo symptoms when you straighten up.
Stress, anxiety, and depression can all trigger vertigo attacks. Do what you can to avoid these pressures or to manage them when they can’t be prevented. Talking to a friend, relaxing, or using meditation techniques could help.
Lack of sleep can also trigger vertigo symptoms. Your body needs rest and sleep to allow muscles to relax. The suboccipital muscles at the base of your skull are very susceptible to spasms when you do not get enough sleep. This can activate vertigo.
Ibuprofen can restrict blood flow to the inner ear’s cochlea, so it doesn’t work as it should. Acetaminophen, especially, can damage ear structures that are there to protect the cochlea in your inner ear. Additionally, ibuprofen can even worsen symptoms of tinnitus, dizziness, and vertigo.
Vertigo can even be affected by the weather. Changing weather, especially changing temperatures, could trigger positional vertigo; however, other factors are most likely needed at the same time. These factors could be hormonal changes, infections, allergies, or more involved neurological factors.
Allergy-related nasal and sinus congestion can lead to dizziness or a more severe type of dizziness called vertigo.
How do you get rid of vertigo fast?
- Stay still and avoid sudden movements
- Change your head position slowly in different directions
- Focus on a fixed point to stabilize your vision
- Practice deep breathing to relax and reduce stress
- Drink plenty of water
- Rest
How should you sleep when you have vertigo?
Sleeping can be difficult when you have vertigo, as lying down may worsen your symptoms. Here are some tips on how to sleep when you have vertigo:
- Sleep propped up: Sleeping with your head slightly elevated can help reduce the spinning sensation. You can achieve this by using extra pillows or sleeping in a recliner chair. Pillows that are too soft or flat can lead to various problems, including chronic neck, shoulder, and arm pain, stiffness, pins and needles or numbness in the hands and arms, painful headaches and migraines, and even vertigo or dizziness.
- Sleep on your back: Sleeping on your back can help reduce the risk of sudden head movements during the night that can trigger vertigo symptoms. However, this may not be comfortable for everyone.
- Avoid sleeping on your stomach: Sleeping on your stomach can increase the risk of sudden head movements during the night that can trigger vertigo symptoms.
- Keep the room dark and quiet: Minimizing noise and light can help you relax and sleep better.