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.
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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.
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.
There are many problems that can occur in the vestibular system. Here are a select few:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
TV show host Montel Williams describes how specific chiropractic care has helped his body.
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.