Stop Dizziness

The term ‘dizziness’ means different things to different people. Because the symptom is vague and can be caused by a wide range of factors, finding a way to stop dizziness can be a process of trial and error. This article will offer a selection of things you can try to stop feeling dizzy.

10 Second Summary

1. Sit or lie down.
2. Have a drink of water or something to eat, such as a banana or chocolate.
3. Focus on something, such as a crack on the wall.
4. Breathe deeply, and avoid bright lights.
5. Try the performing the .

Steps

Quick Fixes

1. Sit or lie down. Dizziness or light-headedness usually hits when you are standing up or moving around. At the first signs of dizziness or light-headedness, sit or lie down immediately. This will usually help to relieve the spinning sensation and is safer in the event that you fall.
   • If you're sitting down, try putting your head between your legs. This increases the blood flow to your brain. Lying down will achieve the same result.
   • Remain seated or lying down for 1-2 minutes, or until the dizziness has passed.
2. Drink water. Dizziness is often the result of dehydration. Dehydration can be caused by not drinking enough water generally or failing to rehydrate during and after exercise. It can also be an issue when you're suffering from an illness that causes vomiting, diarrhea or fever, which can cause you to lose a lot of fluid. Once the worst of the dizziness has passed, you should drink more water and other fluids.
   • If you're finding it difficult to drink a lot of water, try drinking other fluids like energy drinks, hot tea with a little sugar, soups and broths, or diluted fruit juices.
3. Have something to eat. Dizziness can be caused by low blood sugar levels, especially for diabetics. When dizziness hits, try eating a quick snack, preferably something high in carbohydrates or sugar. A bar of chocolate or a banana might do the trick.
4. Focus on a particular spot. To prevent dizziness when spinning, many dancers focus their eyes on a particular spot. The same technique can be used by people who suffer from dizzy spells.
   • Focusing on a particular spot, like a crack in the ceiling or a speck of dirt on the floor, can help your senses to realize that you are not actually spinning, contrary to what your body is telling you.
5. Breathe deeply. Dizziness can sometimes be a symptom of an anxiety attack. Often during anxiety attacks it feels as though you cannot get a full breath. But usually the problem is that you're trying to breathe too much. If this is the case, try breathing slowly and deeply. This will help you to calm down and alleviate feelings of dizziness.
6. Avoid bright lights. If you are experiencing feelings of dizziness, try to avoid bright lights, or light from a television or laptop.
   • Bright light may cause you to feel disoriented and make the dizziness worse.
   • Try sitting or lying down in a dark room, or close your eyes for a minute or two.
7. Perform the Epley maneuver. The Epley maneuver is a head and neck tilting exercise that can be used to treat symptoms of vertigo. The Epley maneuver forces the calcium crystal debris causing vertigo to slip into an area of the inner ear where it can no longer cause symptoms. To perform the Epley maneuver:
   • Sit down and tilt your head 45 degrees horizontally towards the affected ear.
   • Lie back into a horizontal position, keeping your head hanging at a 45-degree turn. Hold this position for a minute or two. You should feel the vertigo subside.
   • Turn your head 90 degrees toward the unaffected ear. Roll onto the side of the unaffected ear. You should now be looking at the floor.
   • Hold this position. You may experience another attack of vertigo, but this should subside within a minute.
   • Slowly return to a seated position.

Long-Term Solutions

1. Move slowly. If you are prone to dizziness, it is important not to make any sudden movements, as moving too quickly can wreak havoc on your blood pressure. You should move slowly and deliberately when sitting or standing up, holding on to a stable surface such as a hand railing where possible.
   • When you're getting up in the morning, make sure to get up in stages. First you should sit up slowly in bed, then put your feet on the floor. Take a moment to relax and breathe before slowly standing up.
   • When moving from a sitting to standing position, flex your legs first. This will help to get your circulation going and minimize light-headedness.
2. Increase your daily fluid intake. Dehydration can affect your blood pressure, leading to symptoms of dizziness. Keep dehydration at bay by drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day. However, if you are already dehydrated, try drinking a sports drink. The electrolytes in these drinks can help you to rehydrate quickly and work better than water alone. In addition, increased salt intake can be beneficial in certain conditions.
3. Get plenty of rest. It is quite common to experience dizziness or light-headedness as a symptom of some viral illnesses, such as colds or the flu. Getting plenty of rest when you are suffering from a viral illness will help you to recuperate faster and minimize feelings of dizziness.
4. Keep a dizzy diary. It may sound strange, but by keeping track of your dizzy spells you should be able to identify what your dizziness triggers are and learn to avoid them in future.
   • For example, your dizziness may be caused by hunger, by standing up too quickly, or by showering with very hot water. Figure out your dizziness triggers and you should be able to head them off in advance.
5. Wear flat shoes. If you are prone to attacks of dizziness, wearing high heels may not be your best option. Flat shoes help your brain to read your posture better, thus keeping your body's equilibrium in check. Wearing flat shoes will also help to avoid a sprained ankle if you should fall during an episode of light-headedness.
6. Adapt your environment. One of major concerns with dizziness is that the spinning sensation may cause you to fall and injure yourself. If you suffer from dizziness, you should adapt your home or work environment to minimize the chances of this happening.
   • Tuck away any electrical wires which you might be in danger of tripping over during dizzy spells.
   • Use night-lights to prevent your brain from becoming disoriented in the dark.
   • Avoid thick carpeting which makes it harder for your feet to register changes in position and posture.
   • Use non-slip mats in your bath and on your bathroom floor.
7. Take motion sickness medication. Taking motion sickness tablets can help to relieve symptoms of dizziness associated with vertigo. You can find over-the-counter motion sickness medication, or you may be prescribed a stronger version by your doctor. Motion sickness medication includes:
   • Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine). Available in tablet, liquid, and suppository form, dimenhydrinate is probably the most popular antiemetic and anti-nausea drug on the market.
   • Meclizine (Bonine). Meclizine should not be taken by children 12 or younger, as its safety has not been thoroughly established.
   • Diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Although more popular as an antihistamine in treating rashes and itches, diphenhydramine is commonly used in treating motion sickness, and is readily available.
8. Avoid substances that affect your circulation. Dizziness is often caused by low blood pressure, so try to avoid or limit your intake of substances that affect your circulation, such as caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs.
9. Watch out for symptoms of more serious conditions. Dizziness is sometimes a symptom of a more serious illness. If you suffer from frequent or prolonged bouts of dizziness it is advisable that you see your doctor.
   • The doctor can then do tests to check for more serious underlying conditions. Dizziness may be a symptom of:
     • An inner ear condition, such as labyrinthitis, BPPV or Meniere's disease.
     • An anxiety disorder, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
     • A heart rhythm problem, such as atrial fibrillation.
     • P.O.T.S. Or another circulatory issue.
     • syncope.

Home Remedies

1. Try ginger. Ginger has been used in countless natural remedies for hundreds of years, including treatment for dizziness and its accompanying nausea. This isn't just some herbal mumbo-jumbo -- scientific studies have proven ginger's efficacy at stopping dizziness in its tracks, also finding that it can actually relieve dizziness faster than some over-the-counter medications. Ginger helps dizziness by stimulating blood flow to the brain, as dizziness is often caused by poor circulation. Some ways to incorporate ginger into your diet include:
   • Taking ginger supplements in capsule form.
   • Chewing on a small slice of fresh ginger root.
   • Drinking ginger ale or ginger tea. To make ginger tea, add a little fresh ginger root to a cup of boiled water.
   • Nibble on ginger candies or suck on ginger lollipops.
2. Drink celery juice. Celery juice can ease feelings of dizziness that are brought on by low blood pressure. You can buy celery juice at a health food store or make your own using fresh celery and a juicer.
3. Drink honey and cider vinegar. Two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar together with two teaspoons of honey in a glass of hot or cold water three times a day helps to regulate blood pressure and may ease symptoms of dizziness.
4. Take an iron supplement. If your dizziness is a symptom of iron-deficiency anaemia, you may need to take an iron supplement. Watch out for other symptom of anaemia, such as tiredness, shortness of breath or headaches. If you think you make be anaemic, consult your doctor before starting on an iron supplement.
5. Take gingko biloba. Ginkgo biloba is a certain type of tree which has many medicinal uses. Ginkgo biloba aids with dizziness problems, since it boosts circulation of blood within the inner ear, correcting some inner ear problems. It is available in tablet, liquid extract and dried leaf form.
6. Take feverfew. Another good herb to treat dizziness is feverfew. Not only has it been shown to help with migraines, it can also reduce inflammation processes in your inner ear, while improving blood circulation. Feverfew supplements are available in capsule, tablet and liquid extract form.

Warnings

• If you are experiencing dizziness, refrain from any activities which might put your safety or the safety of others in danger, for example, climbing a ladder, operating machinery or driving a car.

Related Articles

• Overcome Dizziness

Sources and Citations

See also

• Avoid Food Triggered Seizures
• Help Someone Who Is Having a Seizure
• Tell if You Have Synesthesia
• Treat a Pinched Nerve
• Stop Panic Attacks
• Identify if Someone Had a Stroke
• Fight Trigeminal Neuralgia and Other Facial and Head Pain
• Recognize the Signs of Parkinson's Disease
• Avoid an Aneurysm
• Tell If a Person Has a Concussion

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