How to Get Rid of Vertigo Fast?

Vertigo is a type of dizziness where a person feels like they themselves or their surroundings are spinning. It can be caused by various underlying conditions such as inner ear problems, vestibular disorders, migraines, head injuries, or even as a side effect of certain medications. Vertigo can be very distressing and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sweating and difficulties with balance and walking. Here are some remedies that may help you recover from vertigo.

Epley Maneuver

The Epley Maneuver, also known as the Canalith Repositioning Procedure, is a series of movements used to treat most types of vertigo, especially benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). During the Epley Maneuver, the patient will make a specific sequence of head movements, which are designed to move displaced calcium carbonate crystals (canaliths) in the inner ear back to where they belong.

Follow these steps when doing Epley Maneuver on your own: 1. Sit upright on your bed with a pillow behind you. 2. Tilt your head 45º to the affected side and quickly recline and lay your head on the pillow. 3. Remain in this position for 30 seconds. 4. Slowly turn your head 90º to the opposite side without raising your neck from the pillow. Then turn your body and stay for 30 seconds. 5. Slowly return to the starting position. Repeat this three times.

Semont Maneuver

Semont Maneuver is another less widely known technique used to treat vertigo. This maneuver may be better for people with reduced neck flexibility or stiff neck. Here are the steps of the Semont Maneuver: 1. Sit on your bed and turn your head 45 degrees to the not-affected side. 2. Quickly lie down on the other side and stay for 30 seconds. 3. Then quickly move to lie down on the opposite end of your bed. Maintain your head at a 45-degree angle and lie for 30 seconds. 4. Return slowly to sitting and wait a few minutes.

Foster Maneuver

The Foster Maneuver, also known as the Half Somersault Maneuver, is a self-treatment technique for vertigo. Here are the steps of the Foster Maneuver: 1. Start by kneeling on the floor. 2. Quickly tip your head back and look at the ceiling. Keep your head tilted back at a 45-degree angle for about 30 seconds. 3. While still looking up at the ceiling, tuck your chin to your chest. 4. Turn your head to the affected side at a 45-degree angle. 5. Quickly raise your head to the upright position, keeping it turned to the side. 6. Sit back quickly, ending with your head still turned to the side.

Brandt-Daroff Exercise

Here are the steps of the Brandt-Daroff Exercise: 1. Start by sitting on the edge of your bed or a flat surface. 2. Lie down on one side with your head turned at a 45-degree angle in the direction opposite to the affected ear. 3. Stay in this position for about 30 seconds or until the dizziness subsides. 4. Quickly sit back up to the starting position. 5. Repeat the same process on the other side, lying down with your head turned at a 45-degree angle in the opposite direction.

Yoga

Yoga can be a beneficial practice for managing certain aspects of vertigo. Doing yoga can improve body balance, core strength and coordination. Certain yoga poses can help improve body flexibility and promote blood circulation. Some simple yoga poses like Child's Pose or Corpse Pose can help calm the body and mind. Mindfulness techniques practiced in yoga can also help individuals cope with the sensations of vertigo.

Diet

What you eat and drink can also affect vertigo. People with a deficiency of vitamin D have a higher risk of developing BPPV, a common disease causing vertigo. Fortified milk, beef liver, tuna and egg yolks contains vitamin D. People can also get it from dietary supplements and direct sunlight. Dehydration can cause vertigo symptoms to flare. Make sure that you drink enough water every day. If you are going to do some exercise or stay outside on a hot summer day, drink more water to compensate for the water loss.

The Ultimate Guide to the Alkaline Diet

An alkaline diet is a dietary approach that emphasizes consuming alkaline foods that have a pH greater than 7. The theory behind this diet is based on the pH scale. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. Substances with a pH below 7 are considered acidic, while those above 7 are alkaline. The theory holds that foods that make your body produce acid are harmful. Here is an introduction to the Alkaline Diet.

Menu of the Alkaline Diet

Most fruits and vegetables are alkaline-forming especially green-leafed vegetables, and other foods like soybeans, tofu, nuts, seeds and legumes. High-acid foods like processed meats, dairy products, refined grains, and sugar are typically limited on an alkaline diet. Foods like natural fats, milk, and sugars are considered “neutral”. These neutral foods generally are not recommended in an alkaline diet. Alcohol and caffeine are also forbidden.

Benefits of the Alkaline Diet

The emphasis on fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds in the alkaline diet can lead to a higher intake of essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These nutrients are important for various bodily functions and overall health. Some individuals may experience weight loss on an alkaline diet, as it typically involves consuming whole, nutrient-dense foods while limiting processed and high-calorie foods.

Alkaline foods are often rich in fiber, which can support digestive health by promoting regular bowel movements and maintaining a healthy gut microbiota. The alkaline diet's focus on plant-based foods may help reduce inflammation in the body, which is associated with various chronic diseases. While more research is needed, some studies suggest that diets high in fruits and vegetables may help lower the risk of certain chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

Disadvantages of the Alkaline Diet

There is limited scientific evidence to support the specific health claims associated with this diet. It's important to note that the body has its own mechanisms for regulating pH levels, and the foods we eat do not significantly impact the overall pH of the body. Our body pH is tightly regulated. The blood pH generally stays at an alkaline level between about 7.2 and 7.4. Nothing we eat will change our blood pH. If it falls out of that range, it can be fatal.

While the alkaline diet promotes the consumption of healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, many common sources of protein like meat, eggs and dairy are off limits. People who stick to an alkaline diet, especially children and people with underlying diseases, may miss out on protein and other nutrients, including iron and calcium. It also makes an alkaline diet difficult for people to stick with.

A Beginner's Guide to the Keto Diet

The ketogenic diet, often referred to as the keto diet, is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet. This diet has gained popularity for its potential health benefits and weight loss effects. As a temporary dietary strategy, it can be used to lose weight quickly and cure some diseases like diabetes, cancer and epilepsy. But it still has some side effects. Here is a beginner's guide to the keto diet to help you understand this diet.

How Does the Ketogenic Diet Work?

It involves drastically reducing carbohydrate intake and replacing it with fat. This reduction of carbs makes the body enter a metabolic state called ketosis. In ketosis, your body becomes incredibly efficient at burning fat for energy. It also makes the liver convert fat into ketones, which serve as an alternative fuel source for the body, including the brain.

Ketosis is a metabolic state in which the body utilizes fat as its primary source of fuel instead of carbohydrates. When carbohydrate intake is limited, such as on a low-carbohydrate diet like the ketogenic diet, the body's glucose reserves become depleted. In response to this low glucose availability, the liver starts breaking down fats into molecules called ketones through a process known as ketogenesis.

Menu of the Ketogenic Diet

To enter ketosis, people should include high fat (70-80%), moderate protein (15-20%) and low carbohydrate (5-10%) in their diets. This high fat intake is essential to provide the majority of your energy needs and to support ketone production. Consuming too much protein can potentially hinder ketosis, as excess protein can be converted into glucose. Low carbohydrate intake is crucial for keeping insulin levels low and promoting the production of ketones.

On the ketogenic diet, you would typically consume foods such as meat, eggs, dairy, nuts, seeds and low-carb vegetables. Foods to avoid on the ketogenic diet include high-carb foods like grains, starchy vegetables, legumes, fruits high in sugar, sugary snacks, unhealthy fats, sugary dressings and processed foods. Beer, wine, liquor and mixed alcohol drinks are often restricted.

Benefits of the Ketogenic Diet

The ketogenic diet is known for its effectiveness in promoting weight loss. This is primarily due to the reduction in carbohydrate intake, which leads to the body entering a state of ketosis and using fat for energy. By limiting carbohydrate intake, the ketogenic diet can also help stabilize blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity. This can be beneficial for individuals with type 2 diabetes or those at risk of developing the condition.

While the ketogenic diet is not a cure for diseases, it has been shown to have potential therapeutic benefits for certain medical conditions. The ketogenic diet may be used as a therapeutic approach for epilepsy, certain cancers, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, polycystic ovary syndrome, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

Disadvantages of the Ketogenic Diet

Some people may experience symptoms when first entering ketosis. It is often referred to as the "keto flu." Its symptoms can include fatigue, headaches, dizziness, dry mouth, bad breath and nausea. With less intake of vegetables, fruits and grains, people may be at risk for deficiencies in micronutrients, including selenium, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamins B and C.

The nutrient deficiency of the keto diet may induce problems in multiple organs. The liver converts fat into ketones. So the high-fat diet could pose heavier burdens to the liver and make any existing liver conditions worse. The kidneys help metabolize protein. The keto diet involves a moderate to high intake of protein and increased water loss, which may increase kidney burden. The lack of dietary fiber may have a negative impact on gut health, including constipation and reduced gut bacteria.