If you have ever suffered from dizziness or other balance issues, you may wonder what causes these phenomena. We are going to share nine facts about balance and dizziness that you may not have been aware of. Hopefully, this will help clear up any mystery behind the symptoms as well as provide you hope that natural relief is accessible to you.

#1. The Vestibular System Is the Balance System of the Body

Most of the body’s ability to balance comes from the inner ear. This part of the body collects information in a very unique way and transmits it to the brain via the eighth cranial nerve. Since this nerve is also called the vestibular nerve, we refer to this balance system as the vestibular system.

#2. Vestibular Problems Are Extremely Common

Don’t think you are the only person dealing with balance issues. In fact, vertigo (a particular type of dizziness that involves a false sensation of movement) affects about a third of people age 40 and over. This is one of the most common afflictions you can deal with.

#3. There Are Many Vestibular Conditions That Cause Dizziness

There are many problems that can occur in the vestibular system. Here are a select few:

• Vestibular neuritis – This involves inflammation of the vestibular nerve, and it may occur following a bout of the flu or a bad cold. This will leave a person feeling dizzy, even after the virus has subsided.
• Labyrinthitis – The labyrinth is the innermost part of the ear, the canals where most of the body’s balancing takes place. It can become inflamed, just as the vestibular nerve does, following a virus, and it has similar effects. As a result, many people confuse these two conditions.
• Meniere’s disease – While this is not a very common condition, it does cause severe bouts of vertigo and other issues with the ear that is affected.

#4. There Are Also Central Nervous System Causes of Dizziness

There is actually a name for it when vertigo is caused by a problem in the central nervous system (CNS) – central vertigo. Migraines are the most common CNS cause of dizziness. However, there are other neurological problems that can lead to dizziness such as multiple sclerosis. Head injuries, such as concussions, can also result in the onset of dizziness.

#5. Vertigo, a Form of Dizziness, Is Just a Symptom

Vertigo is not the name of a particular disease or condition. Rather, it is a symptom of many other conditions that cause dizziness or other balance problems. Because of this, vertigo is rarely the only symptom a person will have. Other symptoms that can help identify the underlying problem include headaches, nausea, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), vision problems, fatigue, hearing loss, vomiting, chest pain (this could be an indicator of a heart attack), or numerous other signs and symptoms.

#6. NASA Started the Research

While NASA may not be the only game in town anymore as far as space exploration is concerned, it was the first major player. And it has made a significant contribution to how we understand dizziness and balance issues. When astronauts return to earth, many deal with these health problems, and so NASA began doing research right from when the first astronauts came home.

#7. Stigma Is Attached to Dizziness

Okay, so there’s not as much stigma as having a serious condition like HIV, but there is still stigma attached to dizziness. The fact is that there is no outward indicator that anything is wrong for most people with balance issues. Oh sure, you may stumble or fall, but that can easily be faked. As a result, employers or even friends may give a person a hard time for missing important events over dizziness or other balance issues.

#8. You May Also Experience Brain Fog

We left this off when discussing other symptoms that accompany vertigo because this one is worth mentioning on its own. Many people who suffer from issues with dizziness also find it difficult to concentrate or to remember things. Don’t write it off as a normal part of the aging process. If you can discover the cause of vertigo, you may also find what is causing the brain fog and be able to correct both.

#9. Upper Cervical Chiropractic May Be the Natural Solution You’ve Been Searching For

Vertigo is one of the most common ailments that people are struggling with today. However, there is something else that is very common, and many people don’t even know they are suffering ill effects from it. That is an atlas (C1) misalignment. This top bone of the spine is in a position to affect vestibular function, CNS function, and even blood flow to the head if it is not in its proper place. And we’re talking fractions of a millimeter.

If you are suffering from frequent bouts of dizziness or balance issues, especially if you have a history of head or neck injuries that could have led to a misalignment, we encourage you to seek out upper cervical chiropractic care. This safe and gentle form of chiropractic has helped many patients to see significant results after just one to two adjustments.

Utilize the search feature on this site to find a practitioner near you. Scheduling a consultation with an upper cervical chiropractor may be your first step on the path to better overall health and well-being. For some, it has even led to drug-free relief from vertigo and other chronic ailments. We hope you find similar benefits.  

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