Whether you’re experiencing vertigo the first time or coping with it for quite a while, you will surely never run out of questions to ask about your condition. Things like “what causes my dizzying spells?”  or “is there such a thing as post-traumatic vertigo?” are just some of the vertigo FAQs of people badly seeking relief.

In this article, we’ll get to know the condition better and answer the key things you might wonder about spinning. Let’s start with the most searched questions of all: what is vertigo? 

What is Vertigo?

Vertigo is the uncontrollable feeling of spinning. When you have a spinning episode, you feel like your surroundings are in motion even when you’re completely still. Sometimes, this spinning sensation only lasts for a couple of minutes. On bad days, they can go on for hours.

A critical difference between dizziness and vertigo is that dizziness often goes away when you sit or rest, while spinning don’t improve. Additionally, spinning comes along with any of the symptoms below:

• Tilting sensation
• Loss of control with your posture or balance
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headaches
• Temporary hearing loss 
• Abnormal sweating
• Nystagmus or abnormal eye movements
• Tinnitus or buzzing sensation inside the ears

What causes vertigo episodes?

Vertigo often gets triggered by a defect in the vestibular system, a group of small bones inside the ears in charge of sending signals about motion and balance. Here are some of the specific conditions that can cause your spinning attacks:

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)

When you google “what is vertigo?” you would come across the medical condition BPPV. This is because a large fraction of BPPV patients experiences spinning.

BPPV occurs when calcium crystals initially found in the inner ear get dislodged and migrate into the fluid-filled section of your ear. When this happens, your brain receives the wrong signals about your current orientation and movements.

BBPV can happen to anyone, regardless of age and sex. However, it tends to be more prevalent among aging people.  

• Meniere’s disease

Meniere’s is a disease of the inner ear. It occurs because of fluid buildup in the inner ear. It causes uncomfortable pressure that can trigger tinnitus, hearing loss, and spinning.

• Labyrinthitis or vestibular neuritis

Ear infection due to a bacteria or virus can lead to your vestibular nerve's inflammation and irritation. This impacts your ability to sense motion and balance.

Besides the three causes enumerated above, here are other possible causes of vertigo:

• Medications that trigger ear damage
• Strokes
• Tumors
• Migraines
• Head or neck trauma

What is post-traumatic vertigo?

In the list of possible triggers of spinning, we’ve included head and neck trauma. That’s because studies have established a connection between them and spinning. You refer to it as post-traumatic vertigo. It’s difficult to diagnose because, in most cases, the symptoms tend to show years after the injury. 

What causes post-traumatic vertigo?

Post-traumatic vertigo often occurs with other conditions. Let’s take a look at these and how they connect with:

• Post-traumatic migraine: Besides spinning, migraines can also occur as a result of an injury. The worst part is that it can happen along with a post-traumatic vertigo episode.
• BPPV: Post-traumatic vertigo can occur with BPPV. When you make sudden head movements, you will feel disoriented. It can also cause you to lose control of your balance.
• Cervical vertigo: Severe loss of balance often occurs after a neck trauma. A good way you can find relief is by seeking help from an upper cervical chiropractor. 
• Labyrinthine concussion: Do you experience rapid and abnormal eye movements or hearing loss during  spinning? This may show that you are also suffering from a labyrinthine concussion.
• Meniere’s disease: A bad hit on the neck or head can affect your ear’s ability to drain excess fluid. This results in debilitating ear congestion. 
• Epileptic vertigo: It usually occurs when you have a brain injury, more specifically, an injury on the temporal lobe. When this happens, your brain has a tough time processing signals sent from your vestibular nerve. 
• Temporal bone fracture: Severe spinning bouts can come hand in hand with a skull fracture. It can also occur with Bell’s palsy or peripheral facial weakness and mild hearing loss. 
• Factitious vertigo: Psychological problems like anxiety and depression can trigger a dizziness attack. 
• Perilymph fistula: When you blow your nose too hard, it can result in a perilymph fistula and spinning.
• Post-concussion syndrome: Headache, dizziness, and cognitive problems are common among patients who previously suffered from neck or head traumas. 

How can you relieve vertigo?

Now that you know the answers to FAQs like “what is vertigo?” let’s deep-dive into how you can find relief from your condition through upper cervical care. Essentially, upper cervical chiropractors focus on correcting bone misalignments that result from previous neck or head injuries.

When you suffer from neck or head trauma, the alignment of your cervical bones, C1 and C2, can get messed up. This puts stress on the brainstem and affects its ability to transmit signals to the brain.

It can also cause poor drainage of your cerebrospinal fluid and blood circulation to and from the brain. If the problem doesn’t get fixed, your symptoms may persist longer.  

With the benefits of upper cervical chiropractic care, you can help your bones realign properly. Ultimately, this can contribute to your healing process, allowing you to feel long-term relief. 

Find an upper cervical chiropractor who can help you diagnose your neck bone misalignment. Explore more how you can benefit from gentle and precise upper cervical adjustments today. 

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