Natural Remedies for Benign Vertigo

Rising from a sitting or lying position and being assaulted with a feeling that the room is spinning is scary. This can be accompanied by vision disturbances and vomiting and can certainly be debilitating. Benign vertigo is common and can happen to anyone. There are certain natural remedies to this uncomfortable condition.

Causes

• Benign positional vertigo (BPV) is a disruption in the inner ear. The fluid-filled canals are very sensitive to motion of the fluid, which is created by body movement. The movement of this fluid allows your brain to register that you have repositioned and enables you to keep your balance (see References).

  Bits of calcium can break free and float within these fluid-filled canals, causing a dysfunction in the messaging system and confusing your brain. Just a slight movement of your head or total repositioning may cause the spinning-room sensation.

Remedies

• The most effective treatment for BPV is "Epley's maneuver." Its steps are outlined at the dizziness-and-balance.com website (see References) and below. Only about 30 percent of the people who do this maneuver have a recurrence during the first year.

  It is best if the maneuver is done with the help of a doctor. If you attempt this at home, someone should be with you during the entire procedure to prevent you from falling. To begin this procedure, sit straight up on a bed. Lie down quickly with your head turned to the left or right at a 45-degree angle. You should maintain this position for at least 30 to 60 seconds and can expect dizziness to occur within the first few moments.

  Slowly turn your head to the opposite side and keep this position for at least 30 seconds. Again, dizziness will occur within the first 10 to 15 seconds.

  Finally, have your companion roll you to your side, bringing your head along at a 45-degree angle, pointing the nose downward slightly. Hold this position for another 30 seconds and expect another spell of dizziness. Return to the sitting position, keeping your head tilted slightly downward. You may feel increased dizziness at this point. Remain in this position for at least one minute and then repeat the steps over again two more times.

  Other home remedies for benign vertigo are to take an over-the-counter medicine such as an anticholinergic (often used for motion sickness), an antihistamine or a sedative.

  Staying well hydrated is an effective treatment for vertigo, according to homemade-remedies.com. One home remedy combines lemon juice, water, black pepper and salt (see References).

  Another home remedy involves dissolving nacho cheese, mustard, apple cider vinegar, cayenne pepper and salt in 1 cup of warm water (see References).