If you’re feeling light-headed, try sitting with your head between your knees. This increases the blood flow to your brain. Lying down with your feet propped up will achieve the same result. [2] X Trustworthy Source University of Rochester Medical Center Leading academic medical center in the U. S. focused on clinical care and research Go to source Remain seated or lying down for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the dizziness has passed. Get up slowly so you don’t set off another bout of dizziness. If you have vertigo (a feeling like you are falling or the room is spinning, even if you and your surroundings are still), lie down with your head propped up on a pillow or cushion. That will be more effective than lying flat on your back.
If you’re finding it difficult to drink a lot of water, try drinking other fluids like sports drinks, hot tea with a little sugar, soups and broths, or diluted fruit juices. Don’t drink alcohol or caffeine, since they could make your dizziness worse.
You can also feel lightheaded if your blood pressure drops. If you think low blood pressure is the culprit, have something salty, like a few crackers or pretzels. A sports drink can also help. [5] X Trustworthy Source University of Rochester Medical Center Leading academic medical center in the U. S. focused on clinical care and research Go to source
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. If you’re experiencing motion sickness while in a car or on a boat, look for a spot in the distance or on the horizon. This will help reduce the confusing signals between your brain and eyes that can cause you to feel dizzy and sick. Unfortunately, depending on what’s causing your dizziness, this might not be possible. Some types of vertigo are associated with involuntary eye movements that can make it hard to focus on a single point. [8] X Research source
Try breathing slowly through your nose or your pursed lips. If it helps, count to 5 or even 10 each time you inhale or exhale. Put your hand on your belly, just beneath your ribcage. As you breathe in, draw air down into your lungs so your belly expands and pushes your hand out. Feel your belly get flatter again as you breathe out. Do this 3-10 times, or until you feel calmer and the dizziness passes.
Try sitting or lying down in a dark room, or close your eyes for 1-2 minutes until the dizziness passes. If you’re outside, put on sunglasses. Avoid other things that might strain your eyes, like trying to read or do close-up work.
Sit down and tilt your head 45° horizontally towards the affected ear. Lie back into a horizontal position, keeping your head hanging at a 45° angle. Hold this position for 1-2 minutes. You should feel the vertigo subside. Turn your head 90° 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.
When you’re getting up in the morning, make sure to get up in stages. First 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. If necessary, walk with a cane for extra stability.
If you have a medical condition that affects the amount of fluids you can drink, such as kidney or heart disease, talk to your doctor before increasing your fluid intake.
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. When you have a dizzy spell, write a brief description of your symptoms and what time you experienced them. Jot down any other details you think might be relevant, like what (and when) you last ate, what position you were in when the spell started, and whether you have any other symptoms. Make note of how long the spell lasted and how severe it was. Use a consistent scale to track severity (e. g. , from 1-5, with 5 being the most severe).
Wear shoes with good tread to avoid slipping, especially if you’ll be walking on wet or icy surfaces.
Tuck away any electrical wires that you might be in danger of tripping over during dizzy spells. Avoid placing low objects, like footstools or coffee tables, in the middle of areas where you frequently walk. Use night-lights so you don’t get 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. Consider installing handrails in hallways, bathrooms, or stairwells.
Promethazine. Your doctor may recommend between 12. 5 to 25 mg taken orally (in pill form) or rectally (as a suppository) 3 to 4 times per day. Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine). Your doctor may recommend 50 mg every 6 hours. Available in tablet, liquid, and suppository form, dimenhydrinate is probably the most popular antiemetic (anti-vomiting) and anti-nausea drug on the market. Meclizine (Bonine). Your doctor may recommend 25 mg every 6 hours. Don’t give meclizine to children 12 or younger, since it may not be safe for young kids. [20] X Research source Diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Your doctor may recommend 12. 5 to 25 mg every 4 to 6 hours. Although more popular as an antihistamine used in treating rashes and itches, or as a sleep aid, diphenhydramine is also commonly used to treat motion sickness. [21] X Research source
Some medications can also cause dizziness or lightheadedness as a side effect. Talk to your doctor if you think a medicine you’re taking is causing your symptoms. They might be able to adjust your dose or switch you to an alternative treatment. [23] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
An inner ear condition, such as labyrinthitis, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), or Meniere’s disease. An anxiety disorder, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). A heart rhythm problem, such as atrial fibrillation. Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) or another circulatory issue. Syncope (fainting due to reduced blood flow to the brain). A neurological problem, such as a brain injury, a brain tumor, a stroke, or a seizure disorder.
You can also take ginger supplements in capsule form. The typical dose for treating nausea is 250mg, 1-4 times a day. Your doctor can give you more advice about the most effective dose. Another option is to eat a ginger candy or even chew on fresh ginger root, if you don’t find the taste too overwhelming.
You can also improve your iron levels by eating a diet rich in meat, beans and other legumes, leafy greens, dried fruit, and iron-fortified cereals. There are several types of anemia, and iron supplements aren’t always the right treatment. Your doctor might prescribe something else based on your test results, such as vitamin B-12 supplements, blood transfusions, or medications to suppress your immune system. [27] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Common side effects of ginkgo biloba include headaches, heart palpitations, upset stomach, constipation, and skin rashes. Unfortunately, it can also make dizziness worse for some people.
You can get Pycnogenol in the vitamins and supplements section of your pharmacy, from a vitamin or health food store, or online. Pycnogenol can make dizziness worse for some people. Other possible side effects include headaches, upset stomach, bad breath, and mouth sores. [31] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source Talk to your doctor before taking Pycnogenol if you have any medical conditions, such as diabetes, hepatitis, a bleeding disorder, or an autoimmune disease. It could make your symptoms worse or interact poorly with other medications you’re taking.
