Vertigo is a false sensation of motion that can be a feeling of spinning, tilting, or motion sickness. It has two categories based on the underlying cause. Central vertigo refers to the symptom that originates somewhere in the central nervous system. Today we’re going to talk about peripheral vertigo, which has the inner ear as its cause. What are some conditions that lead to the false sensation of movement and is there a natural, drug-free way to find relief? Read on to learn more about the more common type of vertigo – peripheral vertigo.
Vertigo is generally a symptom of a vestibular condition rather than a condition on its own. As a result, it is often not the only symptom a person is experiencing. Common symptoms that may accompany vertigo include:
With this in mind, we’re going to look at 4 conditions associated with peripheral vertigo.
What are some of the conditions that have vertigo as a primary symptom? Here are 4:
This is the most common condition associated with vertigo. In fact, vertigo is often the only symptom. In this case, the spinning sensation is triggered by having the head in certain positions. Bouts of vertigo don’t last very long, but they can be severe enough to cause a fall. Also, episodes may be frequent.
This is a severe vestibular condition. Bouts of vertigo may last all day long and can cause nausea and vomiting. Severe tinnitus can also be debilitating. Meniere’s patients often suffer hearing loss in the affected ear. There is also a feeling of fullness in the ear. On rare occasions, a person may have Meniere’s in both ears.
This condition occurs when a virus causes inflammation of the vestibular nerve. Since this is the nerve that sends signals from the ear to the brain about balance and spatial orientation, vertigo can occur along with nausea, vomiting, balance problems, and an earache. It doesn’t usually happen during a cold or flu but as a person is getting over the illness.
This is inflammation of the inner ear itself. It can be caused by an ear infection, but also by a virus like a cold or flu. Earache and fever may accompany vertigo. It should clear up when the underlying condition does or within a few days afterward.
If your vertigo is resulting from an infection, antibiotics will be provided to relieve the infection. If the condition is also causing nausea, you may get an anti-nausea medication like prochlorperazine. Prescription strength antihistamines may also be provided to reduce the amount of fluid in the ears. On occasion, a doctor may prescribe an anti-anxiety medication such as a benzodiazepine to relieve the effects of vertigo. However, these are highly addictive and should be used with caution.
If the hearing loss or tinnitus progress, hearing aids may be recommended in order to correct the hearing deficiency or to help you hear better despite the ringing sound. Also, certain canalith repositioning maneuvers such as the Epley maneuver may be demonstrated if it is believed your problem springs from a displaced particle in one of the inner ear canals.
It may also be recommended to you to observe what causes a vertigo attack and try to avoid the same conditions. Activities and occurrences that commonly trigger vertigo include:
As you can imagine, some of these triggers can be difficult to avoid. You may be used to tilting your head back to wash your hair in the shower. There may be no one else around to pick something up for you if you drop it. It can certainly be difficult to avoid bright lights on a sunny day. And an unexpected sight or sound can cause you to turn your head rapidly without even thinking about it. You should be able to handle these common situations without having to worry about the world starting to spin, nausea setting in, or even a fall that could cause injury. Is there a natural way to relieve vertigo?
Upper cervical chiropractors have been finding success in helping vertigo patients for years. Back in 2006, a study saw 80% of a group of 60 vertigo patients completely symptom-free after 1 to 6 months of care. The other 20% of patients all saw significant reductions in vertigo severity and the frequency of attacks.
The fact is that many of the problems related to vertigo can easily be caused by a small subluxation of the C1 and C2 vertebrae. These bones are in proximity to the ears. As a result, they can affect the vestibular nerve and even the Eustachian tubes that drain fluid from the inner ear. When the misalignment is corrected, the symptoms may subside either rapidly or over time.
Upper cervical chiropractic is particularly effective for those who have suffered some form of head or neck trauma in the past that could have caused a misalignment. However, normal wear and tear or poor posture can also lead to alignment issues. To learn more, contact a practitioner in your area. A no-obligation consultation may be your first step toward finding natural relief from vertigo.
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The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.
