When you have vertigo, finding a quick fix is typically on everyone’s mind. That sickening spinning and unsteady feeling can be so unpleasant!

Having vertigo means that you are having some imbalance within your inner ear that is affecting your equilibrium. When your equilibrium is off, it can be hard to move, bend over, or even stand up without seeing the world spin before your eyes.

If you are experiencing vertigo and seeking relief, our AFC Urgent Care Chapman Highway team offers some tips below.

What Do My Ears Have to Do With Vertigo?

The canals and shape of your ear help control your balance. The delicate structures work with fluids and crystals within the ear to assist in maintaining your equilibrium. When that balance has been disrupted, you experience that nauseating feeling of vertigo.

Thankfully, most cases of vertigo will fade away once your equilibrium is restored within a day or so. If you don’t feel relief for multiple days or weeks on end, it is time to see a medical provider for a more in-depth evaluation and explanation.

Additional Vertigo Signs

• Intense spinning or world-shifting sensations
• Inability to move or bend without making it worse
• Tinnitus (ringing in ears)
• Motion sickness
• Nausea/vomiting

Can I Do Anything at Home to Fix Vertigo?

Many treatments for vertigo focus on symptom management, so you can try anti-nausea OTC medications or ginger tea to calm your rolling stomach. You also should move slowly and avoid laying down, as sudden movements can increase your symptom severity.

There is also a series of head movements that you can do to help encourage the fluid and crystals within your ears to settle. These movements can be so helpful in immediate relief, but they should only be done after seeking a medical provider’s approval to ensure they are being done correctly.

How to Manage Vertigo

• Stand up slowly.
• Sleep with your head elevated.
• Avoid turning your head; turn your whole body instead.
• Squat to pick up something instead of bending over.

If your vertigo becomes severe or is recurrent, it is time to see a medical provider. Drop by AFC Urgent Care Chapman Highway to be seen quickly!