Peripheral Vertigo

Peripheral vertigo is the more common of the two types of vertigo disease categories. The other, central vertigo, refers to episodes that spring from sources in the central nervous system. Peripheral vertigo is focused on the vestibular system including the inner ear and vestibular nerve that sends information between the ear and the brain regarding balance and spatial orientation.

We’re going to take a look at five types of peripheral vertigo diseases. By comparing the symptoms that accompany vertigo, it makes it easier to determine the underlying cause of vertigo. 

Let’s consider 5 peripheral vertigo causes as well as a natural way that many people are finding significant relief without having to resort to pills or invasive surgeries.

#1 Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

This is the most common type of vertigo. It tends to be a catch-all when a physician doesn’t understand the underlying cause of vertigo. In fact, there are really only two things that qualify vertigo as a symptom of BPPV. They are:

• Episode Trigger – The key word is positional. With BPPV, vertigo is triggered by head position. Certain positions or sudden movements bring on the attack. Getting up too quickly or bending over are common examples of what may trigger a BPPV episode.
• Length of Attack – BPPV attacks are very short. They often only last a few minutes. Of course, that is enough to do damage if someone falls as a result of the sudden false sensation of movement.

#2 Meniere’s Disease

This is a comparatively rare vestibular condition that causes symptom flare-ups followed by long periods of being virtually symptom-free. There are four primary symptoms of Meniere’s disease.

• Vertigo – Meniere’s makes our list because vertigo is the primary symptom. Bouts may be severe and can last anywhere from 20 minutes to 24 hours.
• Tinnitus – You’ve probably heard this commonly referred to as ringing in the ears. This too is severe when a person suffers from Meniere’s disease. The sound can resemble ringing, buzzing, or even a whooshing sound.
• Hearing Loss – Fortunately, Meniere’s very rarely affects more than one ear. However, in the affected ear, hearing loss can occur, especially at low tones. As the disease progresses, upper tones may also be lost, leaving a patient with a small band of midrange tone hearing in the affected ear. As a result, a hearing test is a part of getting a diagnosis.
• Feeling of Fullness in the Ear – The affected ear may also feel full at times. This could be due to an overabundance of fluid called endolymph. This fluid should normally drain off through the Eustachian tubes that connect the ears and throat.

#3 Vestibular Neuritis

This severe type of vertigo is caused when the vestibular nerve becomes inflamed. Sometimes this occurs at the end of a virus like the flu. The following symptoms may occur:

• Severe vertigo for several days – When inflammation is at its peak, vertigo may be severe and last for several days.
• Persistent positional vertigo – Unlike BPPV which occurs for short periods of time, positional vertigo that occurs during vestibular neuritis is persistent.
• Lack of auditory symptoms – Auditory symptoms such as hearing loss or tinnitus do not accompany vestibular neuritis.

#4 Acoustic Neuroma

This refers to a tumor that affects the ear. It is non-cancerous but can affect the brain’s ability to receive signals from the ear properly. As a result, this condition starts out as a form of peripheral vertigo but can cross over into central vertigo. The primary symptoms of an acoustic neuroma include:

• Vertigo
• Hearing loss
• Tinnitus

As a result of the similar symptoms, a doctor may choose to run tests to rule out an acoustic neuroma before diagnosing a patient with Meniere’s disease.

#5 Labyrinthitis

Labyrinthitis is similar to vestibular neuritis in that inflammation is involved. However, in this type, the inflammation is located in the labyrinth or inner ear. Again, the cause can be a viral infection like a cold or the flu. Symptoms include:

• Vertigo
• Tinnitus
• Hearing loss

Labyrinthitis is often easy to distinguish from an acoustic neuroma because the patient is either presently sick or was recently ill. Vertigo and other symptoms should clear up within a week or two of the underlying cause.

How to Find Natural Vertigo Disease Relief

There is a form of natural care that is bringing hope to many patients who suffer from recurring vertigo that has been unexplained or that is related to Meniere’s disease or positional vertigo. It is no coincidence that vertigo and other symptoms often begin in the months or even years following an accident or injury. The neck plays a vital role in how the body perceives balance and spatial orientation. In what ways?

• Protects the brainstem – The C1 houses the area where the brainstem meets the spinal cord. A misalignment can inhibit proper function.
• Facilitates blood flow – The cervical vertebrae facilitate blood flow to the brain by means of the vertebral foramen. Misalignments can affect this proper flow of blood.
• Proximity to the ear – The C1, in particular, is close to the ears. A misalignment may affect Eustachian tube function, gradually leading to the conditions under which vertigo can become a recurring issue.

If you are suffering from one of these types of vertigo, especially if you have a history of head or neck trauma, contact an upper cervical chiropractor today. You may find that this common problem is significantly improved with upper cervical chiropractic care.

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