Not only are medications rife with side effects but they can also be very expensive depending on the type of medical insurance you have. Before you open your wallet (and open yourself up to the side effects), here are a few ways that you may be able to kick vertigo to the curb without opening a bottle of pills.

Keep in mind that this article isn’t designed to diagnose or cure vertigo. You still need to see a physician to find out what is causing your symptoms. If you are experiencing symptoms of a heart attack or stroke (uncommon but possible causes of vertigo), be sure to seek immediate medical attention.

That having been said, here are six drug-free ways to beat vertigo.

#1 Hydrate Properly

One of the most unrecognized causes of vertigo is dehydration. It is one of the earliest signs that you are not taking in enough water. Whether you were out in the heat too long, worked out too hard, or just haven’t grabbed a glass of water in a while, it is important to increase your water intake to see if this is a possible cause of your vertigo. 64 ounces of water per day is the standard recommendation, but if you live in a hot area, work outdoors, or are subject to other factors that could be dehydrating you faster, it is vital to drink even more water than this.

#2 Stress Coping Mechanisms

Stress can trigger a bout of vertigo. That means everything from your boss yelling at you to having to go into a crowded place when you don’t like being around a lot of people can lead to an episode. That makes good stress coping mechanisms a must for someone who is dealing with this problem. Keep in mind that some of the things people use to cope, like drinking alcoholic beverages or using tobacco, can actually make vertigo worse, so it is necessary to find positive ways to deal with emotional strain. Whether it is relaxing in the tub with a good book, taking a walk with a loved one, or doing some deep breathing and stretching exercises, what works for each of us is different.

#3 Change Your Sleep Position

Do you find that you suffer from vertigo when you first wake up in the morning? It could be the way you are twisting your neck in your sleep. Sleeping on your stomach is the worst for your neck because you basically have your head turned to the side all night long. Whether you choose to sleep on your back or your side, pillow choice is also relevant. Use a softer pillow when sleeping on your back and a firmer one when sleeping on your side. This will help to maintain the natural curvature of the neck.

#4 Dietary Adjustments

Sometimes vertigo is the result of a food sensitivity. Whether the food is triggering a vestibular migraine or is causing your ears to clog up, vertigo can be the result. You may need to keep a food journal to determine what foods are having a negative impact on your health. Additional, if you have a vestibular condition such as Meniere’s disease, your doctor may recommend a low sodium diet. This reduces fluid retention in the body and may help to limit the overabundance of fluid in the ears that has been linked to Meniere’s.

#5 Natural Medicine

Certain supplements and herbal teas seem to have benefits when it comes to vertigo according to some preliminary research. For example, increasing veggies and fruits that contain a lot of vitamin C helped with vertigo according to a Japanese study. Perhaps this is because some of the underlying causes of vertigo are colds or the flu, so it makes sense that an immune boosting vitamin helps. Ginger tea has also been shown to be more effective than a placebo in studies. Just be sure to brew your own at home. You can use honey to sweeten it up if the flavor isn’t to your liking.

#6 Try Upper Cervical Chiropractic

More and more people are turning to this subspecialty of chiropractic in order to deal with a variety of health problems, including vertigo. What makes the difference when it comes to upper cervical care? There are three things our patients love:

• Focused – We’re just working on the top two bones in the neck. Focusing on this vital part of the spine that can have a major effect on the function of the central nervous system allows us to use precise and gentle adjustments.
• Safe – We don’t bend or twist the patient’s spine. Low force corrections adjust the atlas and axis (C1 and C2) back into place. That makes it safe for the whole family, from your newborn to great-grandma.
• Cost-effective – Since adjustments are only provided on an as-needed basis, and gentle adjustments have a tendency to hold, many of our patients find that upper cervical chiropractic is a cost-effective way to improve their overall health.

If you are suffering from vertigo, especially if you have a history of head or neck trauma, upper cervical chiropractic may be the drug-free option you have been searching for. To learn more, contact a practitioner in your local area today. A consultation can provide you with more information and help you to see if this is the safe and natural option that meets your individual healthcare needs.

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