Vertigo can be more than just a nuisance as symptoms include dizziness, nausea, headaches, weakness, blurred vision and loss of balance. While certain health conditions and disorders can contribute to bouts of vertigo, this condition often involves benign, relatively common causes. Thankfully, several simple exercises exist that might help alleviate the effects of vertigo.
Vertigo Causes
Problems in the inner ear are the most common cause of vertigo. Vestibular neuritis, caused by a viral infection of the inner ear, and Meniere's disease often cause vertigo. Less-severe causes include over-indulgence in alcohol and incorrect use of medications. More severe conditions, such as multiple sclerosis or stroke, can also cause this occurrence. Bouts of this condition can be episodic or might occur on a regular basis. Usually, vertigo as a result of these conditions will lessen after several weeks or months, but this varies depending on the individual. The symptoms of vertigo can be lessened, however, with regular implementation of several unique exercises.
Sitting Exercise
To help ease the symptoms of vertigo, you can try several exercises from the comfort of your own home. While sitting, shrug your shoulders. Next, move your shoulders from side to side. After several minutes of performing these movements, place an object on the ground in front of you. Practice picking the object up while sitting by bending at the waist and sitting back up.
Standing Exercises
From your sitting position, stand up. Repeat this several times. Next, return to your seated position, close your eyes and practice standing, then returning to the seated position. After this, get a small ball or other small object that can be easily handled. While standing, practice passing the ball or object beneath one knee and taking it with your other hand. Practice this behind both knees. Next, walk from one side of the room to the other, then repeat walking from one side of the room to the other with your eyes closed. Be sure to remove any objects that could get in your way while walking. Practice walking up and down sloped surfaces and stairs as well. First, perform these exercises with your eyes open, then repeat with your eyes closed.
Eye and Head Exercises
Eye and head exercises for vertigo can be performed while standing or sitting -- whichever position makes you the most comfortable. While keeping your head still, practice looking up and down slowly, then practice this with a quick movement of the eyes. Practice this while looking side to side as well -- first slowly, then quickly. Next, bend your head forward slowly, then move your head backward. After several repetitions, perform this exercise quickly. After this, practice moving your head to the left and right -- first slowly, then quickly. As your dizziness subsides, practice these forward, backward and side-to-side head movements with your eyes closed.
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