How has your neck been feeling since your last adjustment from an Upper Cervical Chiropractor? Have your vertigo symptoms improved? Are you feeling more confident doing things like driving to work or planning a long road trip? As we always tell our patients, restoring proper cervical spine alignment can take time. So the symptoms you experience can still occur but might not be as bad as before. 

Because of that, it's a must to continue practicing necessary safety tips when performing activities that set off a vertigo attack. This includes going on a long drive. Let's help you work around your current challenges by rounding up the warning signs of vertigo while driving. It's essential to be aware of these signs because vertigo can be dangerous for you and other drivers on the road.

Vertigo Red Flags That You Must Watch Out For When Driving

The last thing you want is to have traffic-related troubles because of your vertigo episodes. Learn more about these key signs you shouldn't ignore to ensure your and other drivers' safety.  

#1. Feeling of Spinning

This sensation can be sudden or gradual and may be accompanied by nausea or vomiting. If you experience this while driving, it's important to pull over to a safe place as soon as possible and turn off the ignition. Take a few deep breaths and wait until the sensation passes before continuing your journey.

#2. Loss of balance or coordination 

You may feel unsteady on your feet or have difficulty controlling the steering wheel. If you experience these symptoms, it's best to avoid driving altogether and seek urgent medical attention.

#3. Visual aura or disturbances

Visual disturbances are also common in individuals with vertigo. You may notice that objects appear to be moving or that your vision is blurry. It's common to have difficulty focusing on things on the road – increasing your risk for accidents.

#4. Buzzing sound in the ears or tinnitus

Some people with vertigo experience ear ringing, also known as tinnitus. This can be distracting while driving and may make it difficult to concentrate on the road.

Actionable Steps to Help You Stay Safe While Driving

Now that you know the warning signs of vertigo while driving, taking steps to prevent vertigo from occurring while you're behind the wheel is essential. Here are a few tips you must keep in mind: 

• Stay hydrated: Dehydration can cause dizziness and lightheadedness, triggering vertigo. Make sure to drink plenty of water before and during your journey.
• Avoid sudden movements: Turning your head quickly or making sudden stops can trigger vertigo. Try to move slowly and smoothly when driving.
• Take breaks: If you're going on a long journey, take regular breaks to stretch your legs and give your body a chance to rest.
• Manage stress: Stress and anxiety can trigger vertigo, so finding ways to manage your stress levels is important. This might include practicing deep breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga.

Make Sure You Tend to Previous Neck and Head Trauma By Seeking an Upper Cervical Chiropractor

In addition to the tips we listed above, we strongly suggest to continue seeking regular Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care. Doing so can also help to manage vertigo and get to the bottom of its root cause – an Upper Cervical subluxation. 

By putting in more effort to correct misalignments in the neck and spine, you can help improve blood and oxygen flow to the brain and remove signal interferences that prevent you from detecting information on your movement and body orientation. Consequently, this can help you reduce the severity of your dizzying spells and improve your balance.

So, how have you been feeling lately? Have you experienced any of the warning signs we discussed today while driving? Make sure to discuss these with your go-to Upper Cervical doctor in your city. Alternatively, if you need help finding a new Upper Cervical Chiropractic professional, visit our FREE directory to locate the nearest practice.