How to prevent positional vertigo?

Positional vertigo, also known as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), is a type of dizziness that can happen when you move your head suddenly or change positions. It’s like feeling drunk without having any fun beforehand. This article will guide you on how to prevent it.

What is BPPV?

BPPV happens when small crystals in the inner ear become dislodged and float around in the fluid-filled semi-circular canals that help control your balance. These floating crystals send confusing signals to your brain causing you to feel dizzy or unsteady.

Symptoms of BPPV

The main symptom is brief episodes of spinning sensations where everything seems out of whack. You might experience these symptoms after getting up from bed, rolling over, bending down, or tilting your head back. Other signs include nausea, vomiting, sweating, and a general feeling of malaise.

Causes

The exact cause isn’t always clear but some common causes include head injuries, aging, viral infections, and prolonged bed rest which we all loathe so much. Women are more prone than men with occurrences between 50-70 years old being most common (source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2215006/).

Risk Factors

Some other factors increase the likelihoods of developing this vexatious condition including:

  • Having had previous incidents.
  • Having family members who experienced similar attacks.
  • Being exposed frequently to loud noises.
  • Using certain medications like tranquilizers or anti-depressants which suppress nerve function.

So let’s dive into some measures that might keep us blissfully ignorant from experiencing this nagging sensation ever again!

Sleep Habits

It’s crucial for anyone susceptible(preferred over risk factor) to have their head elevated at least six inches above the rest of the body when sleeping to prevent vertigo. A pillow that is not too soft (it shouldn’t entirely sink) and neither too hard would suffice in holding your head firmly but comfortably.

Exercise

Moderate exercise, such as walking or swimming, increases blood flow throughout your circulatory system including those parts responsible for balance providing you defence against future attacks.

Stay Hydrated

To keep incidents at bay, it’s important to drink plenty of water during the day but also reduce consumption 2 hours prior to bedtime since dehydration can stimulate BPPV symptoms.

Head Positioning

It’s essential especially while sleeping or resting that you try not to move your head suddenly into problematic positions particularly involving bending forward toward the ground, turning over in bed very quickly, looking up for extended periods of time (source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vertigo/symptoms-causes/syc-20370055).

All these tips might seem like they involve much work or need an overhaul in daily routine, a small price however if we were obligated every few days huddling on our knees with nausea after getting out of bed like some rotatory rollercoaster enthusiasts.

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