Positional vertigo (short for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo or BPPV), is the most common condition that brings vertigo. Vertigo is a false sensation of movement (often a spinning sensation) that can result in nausea, vomiting, and even falls. Let’s look at 7 facts about positional vertigo that you may find interesting. Then we will consider a natural way to find relief that is providing hope to many people who deal with this common condition.
Positional vertigo is the most common culprit when a person wakes up with vertigo first thing in the morning. So if you feel your room spinning from the second you open your eyes, positional vertigo is a likely diagnosis.
If you were to spin in a circle for a few seconds and then suddenly stop, that could cause vertigo. But if you have vertigo more than a few times per year with no cause, it can be BPPV. However, there are also some inner ear and neurological conditions that can cause vertigo to recur, so it is best not to self-diagnose based on something you’ve read online.
This is especially true if both ears are affected. But even if just one ear is dealing with positional vertigo, you’re at a higher risk for falls, so be sure to seek care for recurring vertigo before an injury takes place.
That having been said, some people go through canalith repositioning (i.e., the Epley Maneuver) and never have another episode. For the majority of people, however, fighting vertigo is a long-term battle. It is not as simple as taking a pill and seeing symptoms go away.
The other side of the issue is that many people feel that since there is no cure for vertigo, there is no point in seeing a medical professional. There are definitely a variety of therapies that can be of assistance. Some may help reduce the frequency and severity of attacks. For some patients, vertigo may resolve completely. So don’t resign yourself to a lifetime of spinning just because finding the right form of care can take a little while.
This means anything that affects the inner ear, the fluid levels in the ear, and the crystals that detect movement in the inner ear can all lead to vertigo and balance problems. Sometimes, illnesses that cause fluid buildup or inflammation in the inner ear and the vestibular nerve that carries signals from the ear to the brain can lead to vertigo well after the illness has cleared up.
Did you see the onset of vertigo following a car accident, a sports injury or some other type of trauma? This is common and may help point to the underlying cause of vertigo. It has been noted that many patients who begin to experience vertigo after an accident or injury are suffering from an upper cervical misalignment. What does this misalignment involve? How does this lead to a potential means of care for vertigo that is natural and safe?
When the top bone of the neck, the atlas, is out of alignment, ongoing problems with vertigo can result. Why is this the case? Consider three reasons:
Upper cervical chiropractors focus on the atlas. They use diagnostic imaging to spot the tiniest of misalignments and use these precise measurements to provide specific and gentle adjustments. For many vertigo patients, such adjusts have led to less severe or frequent vertigo bouts, and some have even seen the problem resolve entirely.
If you would like to learn more about upper cervical chiropractic, especially if you are dealing with vertigo that began in the months or years following an accident or injury, contact a practitioner in your area to schedule a consultation today.
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.