The Physio Co Tips: Vertigo
Vertigo is the feeling that you are moving when you are not, or it might feel like things around you are moving when they are not.
It is a symptom rather than a condition. Vertigo can feel similar to motion sickness, dizziness or feeling as if the room is spinning.
Vertigo is commonly caused by a problem with the way balance works in the inner ear, although it may also be caused by problems in certain parts of the brain.
Common causes may include:
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) where certain head movements trigger vertigo
- Vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis – an inner ear infection
- Meniere’s disease
- Head and neck injury
- Brain problems such as stroke or tumours
- Certain medications
- Migraines
- Lie still in a quiet, dark room to reduce the spinning feeling
- Move your head carefully and slowly during daily activities
- Sit down straight away when you feel dizzy
- Turn on the lights if you get up at night
- Use a walking stick if you’re at risk of falling
- Special exercises can be done to try to correct your symptoms
- Sleep with your head slightly raised on two or more pillows
- Get out of bed slowly and sit on the edge of the bed for a while before standing up
- Try to relax – anxiety and stress can make vertigo worse and can trigger vertigo episodes
- Avoid bending down to pick up items
- Avoid extending your neck – for example, while reaching up to a high shelf
- Avoid driving if you have recently had episodes of vertigo
- Do not operate machinery or climb ladders
1. Sit in a chair and keep your eyes fixed on a point on the wall in front of you
- Move your head right and left with a smooth motion (repeat 10 times)
- Move your head up and down with a smooth motion (repeat 10 times)
2. Sit in a chair and keeping your head fixed this time, only move your eyes
Move your eyes right and left with a smooth motion (repeat 10 times)- Move your eyes up and down with a smooth motion (repeat 10 times)
- Move your eyes diagonally in one direction and then in the other direction (repeat 10 times to each side)
3. Sit on the edge of your bed
- Lie down on your right side with your head turned to the left at 45 degrees and wait for 30 seconds
- Sit up again and wait for 30 seconds
- Lie down on your left side with your head turned to the right at 45 degrees and wait 30 seconds
- Repeat the above 5 times, alternating sides