Managing Vertigo on the go - Tips from a Travel Blogger!

It was the end of a long and hot day and I was completely sapped of energy, but I still wanted to climb up the steps of the ruins of the Roman Theatre at Petra. I was happy to reach right on the top, but as soon as I turned back to climb down, it hit me. It seemed like I was dreaming for the first few seconds, but then it just got worse. I was stationary and the world around me was moving. One step forward and I would've tumbled down the steps.

Thankfully this was just a dream and none of actually happened. Yes, I did visit Petra and climbed the steps, but there was no vertigo attack on my way down. However, I did have a mild vertigo attack once in a bus on my way from Pune to Mumbai while I was trying to type a long story on my mobile phone. I almost puked in the bus and my managed to give my sleeping co-passnegers quite a start. Thankfully, the moment passed after I closed my eyes and resolved not to touch my phone till I reached Mumbai.

managing vertigo travel
Vertigo - the feeling of the world moving around you (pic credit: Pixabay

However, for many, vertigo could be a challenging problem, yet it doesn't stop them for living the life of a traveller to the fullest. Some of them get scoffed at for being weak, yet they carry on - living one experience at a time, never hindered by a health condition which is not as uncommon, yet manageable most of them times.

So what is Vertigo?

Well it's a condition when you feel that the world around you moving, when actually everything is stationary. It can give a feeling of dizziness, vomiting, nausea, blurred vision, loss of balance and sweating.

Also, vertigo can affect anyone, even if you don't have any history of the it. Every year almost 5% of the people have a vertigo attack every year.

Do's and Don'ts during Vertigo attack 

So if you are traveling and get an attack, there is absolutely no need to panic as the disease is completely manageable. For example, if I actually had an attack of vertigo in Petra, the best thing for me would have been to simply sit down on the steps, close my eyes and let the moment pass. Simple, right! Of course, things are not so easy always.

For instance if you are driving and nausea hits you, the best thing to do would be to stop the car, and wait for the dizziness to pass. Another instance is when you are camping in the night and need to go out - carry a flash light with you.

Here are a few more tips on what you an do to effectively manage a vertigo attack when you are traveling:

- During an attack of Vertigo, take hold of the nearest available support.
- Sit down as soon as you start feeling dizzy.
- Be in a position which is most stable and comfortable and keep yourself as still as possible.
- Get rid of things like rugs or electrical wires which may cause you to trip when you feel dizzy. It is also a good idea to use non-slip mats in the bathroom.
- Keep a night light on in case you need to get out of bed at night.
- Use a cane if you feel unsteady while walking.
- If moving is required, it should be done very slowly and carefully.
- Close your eyes or keep them fixed on objects in front of you.
- Eventually, once there is improvement, start moving gradually.

However, managing vertigo is not all about doing the right things, it's also about avoiding a few things, like doing anything fast - fast walking, fast driving etc.

Here's a list of things to avoid if you do get a vertigo attack:
- Don’t drive when you experience dizziness.
- Do not panic and do not be anxious.
- Do not move very quickly or rapidly.
- Do not turn your head suddenly.
- Avoid reading or working on a computer while travelling in a car, bus or train
- Avoid loud background music
- No matter where you go avoid rush hour

Technology to manage Vertigo

There are many ways to manage Vertigo, including medication, but exercises work the best for long term management. Yoga has been shown to be especially effective, and much has been written about the different asanas which can help like Karna Randhara Dhouti and Karnapatala Dhanadab.

However, it's not that easy to remember all the exercises and asanas so well, and this is where an app, VertiGo Exercise, comes into play to help us out. The app has a simple and easy to use layout for exercises for eyes and head. You can also pick an excessive based on you preferred posture - moving, sitting and standing.

You can also put reminders for doing the exercise (a feature I would certainly find useful) and for eating pills on time. There is also a diet guide which tells you want to what to eat and what to avoid.

Download the app here: VertiGo Exercise App

Have you also experienced vertigo during your travels, or otherwise? Please do share your story in the comments below.

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Disclaimer: This is a collaborative post to spread awareness about Vertigo and various means of managing it. I personally do not suffer from Vertigo.

Comments

  1. Nice tips, should try them next time.

    I also remember reading somewhere that along with sitting down on the floor, open your palms and put it flat on the ground.

    This seems to send steadiness signals to your auditory canals and helps a lil bit. But again this differs from person to person.

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  2. It must be so scary to have vertigo attack when at a height. I still get nausea in those winding hilly roads. Thanks for all the tips

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  4. Many people don't know about what Vertigo is and what horrible situation it can bring. Dizziness, lightheaded, unsteady, or giddy. This feeling of imbalance or disequilibrium is sometimes caused by an inner ear problem. So your blog is really needful for people facing such situations. I'm thankful to your tips and looking forward for more posts like this.

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