Vertigo is the disorientating feeling that you or the world around you is spinning or moving even though you aren’t. It can be caused by vestibular disorders such as Ménière’s disease or Labyrinthitis, vitamin deficiencies like iron-deficiency anaemia, and even psychological disorders such as anxiety. Many people experience dizziness when walking, which can significantly impact day-to-day life causing discomfort and stress, as it isn’t easy to tell when an attack may happen.
At Complete Care Shop, we understand the struggles somebody living with dizziness and vertigo can have. There are a number of ways you can prevent or lessen its impact; read our guide to find out how.
The difference between general dizziness and true vertigo
Before seeking professional help, it’s important to discern exactly what you’re dealing with. Dizziness and vertigo have similar symptoms, and being able to differentiate them could facilitate your finding the help you need.
General dizziness is an umbrella term that covers feeling lightheaded, unbalanced, or like your surroundings are spinning. It can be caused by various factors, like dehydration, anxiety, motion sickness, and more. Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness that usually stems from vestibular disorders.
1 - Consider vestibular rehabilitation
If vertigo is significantly affecting your day to day and quality of life, please consult a healthcare professional. They may recommend vestibular rehabilitation, which can be useful for persistent symptoms. It’s a exercised-based programme consisting of various head, eye, and neck movements to assess balance function and re-educate your balance system.
2- Assessment for BPPV
BBPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) is one of the most common types of vertigo occurring when the crystals in your ear are dislodged from their correct position. It can cause bursts of dizziness when the body or head are placed in certain positions.
If BBPV is the cause of your dizziness, you may be recommended to try repositioning manoeuvres, such as the Epley manoeuvre, which physiotherapists are trained to administer. This method is used to treat vertigo and dizziness, consisting of a series of head and body positions that your physio will take you through in order to reposition the dislodged crystals.
3 - Get tested for vitamin deficiencies
If you regularly experience vertigo and dizziness in your daily life, despite not being diagnosed with any vestibular disorder, the case may be a lack of sufficient vitamins. A lot of people unknowingly suffer from vitamin deficiencies, which can negatively impact their health and bodily functions.
Dizziness, especially, can be a result of iron, potassium, or vitamin B12 deficiency. Please consult your doctor or healthcare provider to be tested for any vitamin deficiencies, as they could prescribe you supplements to improve your intake.
4 - Avoid sudden movements
Sudden movements can lead to vertigo as they disrupt your vestibular system, causing your brain to struggle to catch up with your movements. This dizziness can take time to subside, leaving you feeling lightheaded and disorientated. Slowing down your movements and allowing extra time to complete your daily tasks can help with the dizziness. Try to sit down or stay still when you start to feel dizzy to avoid falling over, and if the feeling persists, consult a doctor.
5 - Avoid bending over
Bending over or being in any position where your head is below heart level can cause a dizzying sensation due to poor blood circulation. Dropping your head down quickly can make the blood rush to your brain, leading to a temporary imbalance and increasing your risk of falling.
Wherever you can, always try to squat down instead of bending. If your knees aren’t happy with you squatting, why not invest in a reaching aid? Complete Care Shop offers a range of reaching aids to prevent you from bending over or stretching to reach things.
Even getting dressed can cause dizziness as you bend and move around to put on your clothing. We also have dressing aids and sock aids to help with this.
6 - Use walking aids
It’s common to feel dizziness when walking, whether it’s due to having a vestibular disorder, dehydration or overexertion. Drinking lots of water when you’re out and about can help with the hydration part, and walking aids can help with overexertion as they offer extra support and reduce your risk of falling.
Complete Care Shop stocks a wide selection of walking aids to help you should you get an attack of dizziness or vertigo while walking. You can choose from rollators, walking sticks and canes, walking frames, and much more.
7 - Install safety grab rails
When experiencing sudden fits of vertigo, leaning against a wall or table usually helps to get some stability until it subsides. However, you may not always have a surface to rest on, which is why we recommend installing safety rails around your home.
We provide a range of grab rails suitable for any room in your house. From bedroom safety rails to bathroom grab rails, we want to make sure you feel safe no matter where you are. For additional stability in the bathroom, you may also consider a non-slip bath mat.
How to get help with vertigo & dizziness
If you’re worried about symptoms of dizziness, vertigo, or loss of balance, please speak with your GP for more guidance. You can also find out more about vertigo on the NHS website and our very own help and advice section.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today if you have any queries.