Many experts recommend that you try and sleep on your back, as the crystals within your ear canals are less likely to become disturbed and trigger a vertigo attack. If you happen to get up in the middle of the night, rise slowly as opposed to making any sudden movements with the head or the neck.
Sleep on your back
You've probably heard that sleeping on your back is the best position for your spine, but it is also the sleep position of choice for vertigo sufferers. Sleeping on your back may keep fluid from building up and may prevent calcium crystals from moving where they don't belong.
Over time, ear crystals may dissolve, but bear in mind that this could take weeks or longer, and during that time, a person would have to endure the extreme discomfort of BPPV, where even the slightest head movements would throw their world into disarray.
A head injury, dental work, an infection — or just the normal wear and tear of aging — can dislodge the crystals, called otoconia or canaliths.
When they are dislodged, the crystals float around in the fluid area of the balance branch of the inner ear, and you will start to feel off balance. The loose crystals will start to make people feel like they are spinning and the room is spinning around them.
What happens when your ear crystals are out of place? Your body's otoconia crystals can sometimes become dislodged from the Otolith organs, and move toward the semicircular canals of your inner ear. When this happens, you might feel an intense sense of dizziness.
BPPV is thought to be caused by small fragments of debris (calcium carbonate crystals), which break off from the lining of the channels in your inner ear. The fragments don't usually cause a problem, unless they get into one of the ear's fluid-filled canals.
“In rare cases, people who experience debilitating vertigo might need surgery, but I find that lying down in the dark, avoiding lights, TVs, and other distractions, and just getting some rest can ease my symptoms,” she said.
Elevate your head – you can sleep with your head propped up on two or more pillows. While some cases of vertigo go away without any treatment, some do not. If you experience repeated episodes of vertigo for months, it is important that you see a medical professional.
The Epley maneuver is used to move the canaliths out of the canals so they stop causing symptoms. To perform the maneuver, your health care provider will: Turn your head toward the side that causes vertigo. Quickly lay you down on your back with your head in the same position just off the edge of the table.
What is the fastest way to cure BPPV? The most effective benign paroxysmal positional vertigo treatments involve physical therapy exercises. The goal of these exercises is to move the calcium carbonate particles out of your semicircular canals and back into your utricle.
Vestibular disorders such as BPPV, Vestibular Migraine, Meniere's Disease, Labyrinthitis, among others can all be impacted by sleep quality. Each of these vestibular disorders comes with varying types of dizziness symptoms. Although sleep quality does not directly cause a vestibular disorder, it is a trigger.
First: Identify which ear is causing the vertigo. If you get dizzy every time you roll left in bed, then your left ear is the likely culprit. Once you know which ear has some loose calcium crystals, it's important that you look to that side when you begin the Epley maneuver.
Research shows that chronic stress or anxiety may trigger one of the most common causes of vertigo called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Stress associated with adverse life events may also trigger BPPV.
People with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) are usually safe to drive unless they are sensitive to horizontal head movements, in which case they should not drive until their condition has eased off or responded to treatment.
Normally, a jelly-like membrane in your ear keeps the crystals where they belong. If the ear is damaged — often by a blow to the head — the crystals can shift to another part of the ear.
Acute vertigo is best treated with nonspecific medication such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine®) and meclizine (Bonine®).
Magnesium oxide is a popular food supplement among patients who experience regular bouts of vertigo. According to Vestibular.org, taking around 400 to 800 mg of magnesium oxide might help curb the impact of disorders like vestibular migraines and PPPD (Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness).
If you have vertigo, you may be able to prevent your symptoms from getting worse by: Avoiding sudden movements or position changes. Keeping still and resting when you have symptoms. Avoiding bright lights, TV, and reading when you have symptoms.
It is best to limit tea, coffee, energy drinks, and soda. Salt: Sodium is one of the main ingredients that can trigger vertigo. Excess intake of salty foods may result in water retention in the body. This can impede the fluid balance and pressure in the body.
If you are dizzy at all or recovering from a vertigo attack, then driving should be avoided.