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During a crisis of dizziness or vertigo, what should be done is to keep your eyes open and look fixedly at a point in front of you. This is an excellent strategy to combat dizziness or vertigo in a few minutes.
However, anyone who suffers from bouts of dizziness or vertigo constantly should consult a general practitioner to try to understand if there is any cause for this symptom, in order to initiate a more specific treatment, which may include the use of medication, physical therapy sessions. or daily exercises that can be done at home.
These exercises and techniques can be indicated to treat the feeling of dizziness or vertigo caused by problems such as labyrinthitis, Meniere's syndrome or benign paroxysmal vertigo. See the 7 main causes of constant dizziness.
Exercises to relieve dizziness / vertigo at home
Great examples of exercises that can be performed at home, every day, to prevent the onset of dizziness and vertigo attacks are those of eye chase, such as:
1. Movement of the head to the sides: sit and hold an object with one hand, positioning it in front of the eyes with the arm extended. Then you should open your arm to the side, and follow the movement with your eyes and head. Repeat 10 times for only one side and then repeat the exercise for the other side;
2. Movement of the head up and down: sit and hold an object with one hand and position it in front of the eyes with the arm extended. Then move the object up and down 10 times, following the movement with the head;
3. Eye movement sideways: hold an object with one hand, positioning it in front of the eyes. Then, move your arm to the side and, with your head still, follow the object with your eyes only. Repeat 10 times for each side;
4. Eye movement away and close: stretch your arm in front of your eyes, holding an object. Then, fix the object with your eyes and slowly bring the object closer to the eyes until you are 1 inch away. Move the object away and close 10 times.
Check out these and other tips in the following video:
Physiotherapy technique for dizziness / vertigo
There are still some techniques that can be performed by the physiotherapist to reposition the calcium crystals inside the inner ear, which contribute to the relief of dizziness or vertigo, ceasing the feeling of malaise in a few minutes.
One of the most used techniques is the Apley maneuver, which consists of:
- The person lies on his back and with his head out of bed, doing an extension of approximately 45º and keeping it like this for 30 seconds;
- Rotate your head to the side and hold the position for another 30 seconds;
- The person must turn the body to the same side where the head is positioned and remain for 30 seconds;
- Then the person must lift the body from the bed, but keep the head turned to the same side for another 30 seconds;
- Finally, the person must turn his head forward, and remain still with his eyes open for a few more seconds.
This maneuver should not be performed in case of herniated cervical disc, for example. And it is not recommended to do these movements alone, because the movement of the head must be performed passively, that is, by someone else. Ideally, this treatment should be done by a professional such as a physiotherapist or speech therapist, because these professionals are qualified to perform this type of treatment.
How much to take medication for dizziness / vertigo
The general practitioner, neurologist or otorhinolaryngologist may recommend taking vertigo medication, according to its cause. In case of labyrinthitis, for example, it may be necessary to take Flunarizine Hydrochloride, Cinnarizine or Meclizine Hydrochloride. In the case of Menière's syndrome, the use of drugs that reduce vertigo may be indicated, such as dimenhydrate, betahistine or hydrochlorothiazide. When the cause is only benign paroxysmal vertigo, medication is not necessary.