When Sharon Osbourne suffered a serious bout of vertigo in 2014, she revealed how she overcame the incapacitating period. The talk show host said that a visit to her doctor revealed that she suffered from a spell of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).
Osbourne said that a visit to an Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT) doctor revealed she had crystals in her ear canal that affected her sense of balance. Her physician was able to identify the type of vertigo and applied the proper treatment. In no time, Osbourne was back to full capacity, and the dizziness was gone.
Unfortunately, not all of us are as lucky as Osbourne. Many people suffer from vertigo across the United States, from cities like Denver to Hawaii, suffer through the symptoms in the hopes that the dizziness will end after some time. But there are ways you could relieve vertigo. Here are some exercises that could remove the sensation of the world spinning out of control.
The Epley Maneuver
You can do this simple exercise to dislodge the calcium crystals in your inner ear canal. But you need someone to help you with this routine.
1. You need to sit on your bed with your feet flat on the floor. Turn your head let at a 45-degree angle.
2. Lie down on the bed, but keep your head to the left. Stay in position for 30 seconds.
3. Still lying down, turn your head to the right at a 90-degree angle, until it is 45-degrees facing your right side. Stay in position for 30 seconds.
4. Roll on your right side before you sit up again.
The Brandt Daroff Exercises
This exercise consists of three sets daily which need to be done for two weeks. Each set needs five repetitions of the exercise.
1. Sit straight on your bed with your feet flat on the floor.
2. Lie down on one side. Do this for one to two seconds.
3. Turn your head at a 45-degree angle. Pretend that someone is standing over you. Stay like this for 30 seconds or until the dizzy feeling subsides.
4. Return to the upright sitting position and do it for 30 seconds.
The Semont Maneuver
This exercise is often done with a physical therapist and focuses on the area that is affected by BPPV.
1. The PT will ask you to sit down on the edge of the treatment table. Your feet should hang over the side.
2. They will turn your head at a 45-degree angle away from the affected side.
3. The PT will then quickly lie you down on the affected side. If you feel dizzy, you will remain in position until the spell passes.
4. Once the dizziness subsides, the PT will bring you to the first position once again and lay you down on the other side. You should be looking at the floor. If you feel dizzy, you will once again remain in position until it passes.
5. The PT will bring you back to a sitting position.
Many people suffer from momentary bouts of vertigo, but they do not realize that sometimes it stems from BPPV. Unfortunately, it is a condition that has no ultimate cure and has a high chance of recurrence. These maneuvers can help you deal with a spell of vertigo, but it is best to seek expert medical advice when you feel your world spinning around you.