I was diagnosed with labyrinthitis in university, and I’ve had recurrent vertigo ever since. Over the past 15 years I have seen an ear, nose, and throat specialist; had an unpleasant test wherein hot and cold air and water was put in my ears (to measure my response); multiple MRIs; visited with a neurological ophthalmologist; consumed more Gravol than any human should; and until this most recent bout the best medical advice I could hope for was to take an anti-nauseant or sea-sickness medication and ‘let it work its way through my system.’ More than once it took longer than a month to do so.
Luckily we’ve come a long way in our discourse and treatment of many invisible diseases, and there are a lot of natural options for symptom management as well. If you’re struggling with vertigo, your first conversation should be with your doctor, but the following strategies have really helped me with both the dizziness and nausea.
Listen to your body
If you feel the symptoms coming on, one of the best things to do is slow down and listen to your body. Take the time to really take care of yourself. If you can, take the time off work you need to recover and focus on healing. In my case, forcing myself to push through makes the symptoms last even longer.
Strengthen your immune system Often, vertigo happens after a particularly nasty cold or flu. Consider taking a probiotic, like our partner Bio-K Plus, to keep your immune system as strong as possible. Get lots of rest, especially during the winter months. Make sure you're getting enough vitamin C and D, staying hydrated, and eating well,
Read more ways to keep your immune system strong here
Follow the BRAT diet If your nausea gets really bad, the BRAT diet is key: bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. I made two-ingredient applesauce: boil down apples, mash to desired texture, and add cinnamon. I would stir in some fresh ginger when I wanted even more tummy-taming power, but this was a great way to make sure I was still eating fruit. You could add bananas to other bland foods, like oatmeal or plain cereal, but stick to non-dairy milk to keep things gentle. Lemon and ginger or mint teas are great staples to have on-hand as well.
Use all your senses Consider incorporating essential oils into your routine. Some oils that may help with both the dizziness and nausea that come with vertigo are peppermint, rosemary, ginger, lavender, and citrus oils like orange, lemon, and lime. I put ginger at the base of my throat and behind my ears, and diffused rosemary and peppermint if I was feeling especially ill.
Read more about the benefits of essential oils here
Consider rehab for your ears Depending on the underlying cause of your vertigo, a vestibular physiotherapist or dizziness specialist might be able to help. Many of the nerves inside your ear can be trained over time, like a muscle, to behave normally. If there isn’t a dizziness clinic in your area, reach out to your local physiotherapy center to see if they also treat vertigo. There are also some maneuvers you can try at home that are especially effective if you have BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo):
Vertigo can be disruptive for your work and home life, but with the right medical treatment and a routine that includes the natural strategies that work for you, it can be managed and you'll feel steady on your feet again in no time.
