How to Travel When You Have a Vertigo-Causing Condition

March 27, 2022

vertigo, upper cervical chiropractic

With travel easing back to normal, many have started to plan their weekend getaways with their friends and family members. Some want to fly to the famous spring break hotspots like San Franciso and Oahu or book a cruise trip to the Caribbean or the Mexican Riviera. On the one hand, others dread traveling because of vertigo-causing conditions like Meniere’s, BPPV, and Mal de Debarquement Syndrome (MdDS). 

Do you struggle with the same issue? Unfortunately, thousands of patients who seek upper cervical chiropractic for vertigo relief are no strangers to this problem. Find out how you can work around this concern, so you can travel without constantly worrying about having a sudden vertigo attack. 

1. Start by learning more about your vertigo-causing condition 

Vertigo attacks can indicate all kinds of health mishaps. So, you might find it helpful to discover as much as you can about your condition. Ideally, it would be best to check whether you have the peripheral or central type. If you have peripheral vertigo, your spinning sensations might come from any of the following diseases or disorders: 

  • Benign paroxsymal positional vertigo (BPPV)
  • Meniere’s disease
  • Acoustic neuroma
  • Mal de Debarquement syndrome
  • Inner ear infection

On the other hand, if you have central vertigo, you might want to get screened for things such as: 

  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Brainstem lesion
  • Vestibular migraines
  • Neurodegenerative disorders
  • Psychiatric disorders

2. Map out your symptoms and triggers

People have varying accounts of their vertigo-causing diseases or disorders. For example, some claim that they only experience spinning sensations, while others report secondary symptoms such as anxiety, impaired cognition, instability, and fatigue. In addition, some note that their attacks occur spontaneously, while others claim that their episodes get triggered by sudden head movements and excessive alcohol intake. 

Because patients can have varying symptoms, we strongly suggest tracking yours with the help of your diary. Take notice of unique indications or possible underlying health problems. Additionally, you might find it helpful to log the duration and intensity of your symptoms.

3. Determine if you need to pre-medicate before your trip

Many patients who experience sudden bouts of vertigo attacks while traveling manage their symptoms with medications. Some of them tap into the following types of medicine:  

  • Gaba agonists like diazepam, tiagabine, and klopoin
  • Headache prevention drugs such as gabapentin, venlafaxine, and verapamil
  • Antihistamine drugs like meclizine and cinnarizine. 

We recommend consulting your doctor to check which medicine best suits your situation. Additionally, you can ask your physician whether to pre-medicate before you board a plane, ship, or train. 

4. Come early for onboarding

Whether you need to fly, cruise or ride a train to reach your destination, we strongly suggest coming early for onboarding. This will help you carve out enough time to rest before the trip. Additionally, it will help you avoid getting stuck in stressful situations, such as missing your ride, rushing to the station, and needing to reschedule everything. 

5. Take advantage of wheelchairs

Moving around too much in an airport or train station can take a toll on people with vertigo attacks. That’s why some insist on using wheelchairs. Just be sure to request a mobility assistive device days before your intended trip to avoid hiccups.

vertigo, upper cervical chiropractic

 

 

 

 

 

6. Drink enough fluids during the trip

Dehydration can potentially impact your vestibular organs and central nervous system. That’s why you should mind your fluid intake while traveling. We suggest drinking at least a glass of water per hour during your commute. Additionally, we strongly advise against drinking alcohol because it can lead to complications such as severe vertigo attacks. 

7. Experiment on which travel arrangements suits you best

Some people with vertigo attacks react adversely to sea travel, while others can’t stand a non-stop flight. Because everyone has different preferences, we suggest experimenting on which mode of transport to use. Note which one helps you experience little to no vertigo episodes. Also, try to avoid travel arrangements that trigger your spinning sensations. 

8. Focus on the horizon

When sitting on a bus or train, you might find it helpful to focus on the horizon when you look outside the window. This will help you minimize the severity of a vertigo episode and train your vestibular system to function smoothly each time you travel. 

9. Consider the weather when you plan your activities 

Vertigo attacks can sometimes worsen because of weather changes. This is especially true for those diagnosed with BPPV or Meniere’s disease. So, we suggest checking the local weather bulletin in your chosen destination and making necessary changes to your itinerary. You can also install a weather forecast app on your phone and set alarm notifications for significant weather changes.

 

Manage Vertigo Better with Upper Cervical Chiropractic 

Several case studies have found strong connections between cervical spine misalignments and MdDS. That’s why it’s not surprising why some patients diagnosed with MdDS tap into upper cervical chiropractic care. Essentially, this holistic and natural remedy works by addressing nervous system imbalances – a common problem that develops because of upper neck bone misalignments. 

It uses sophisticated techniques and technologies in analyzing cervical spine discrepancies. Furthermore, it uses minimal force to ease the misaligned neck bones back to their original positions. If you have MdDS or other vertigo-causing conditions, upper cervical chiropractic is an excellent remedy you can use. It has worked quite well for many patients, regardless of age, background, sex, or pre-existing conditions. 

We encourage you to reach out to a nearby upper cervical care doctor to understand the benefits of receiving C1 and C2 bone adjustments.

 

Find An Upper Cervical Doctor in Your Areato schedule a consultation today.

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