Vertigo is a common symptom that might indicate an underlying problem in the body. Maintaining a straight neck and head position during vertigo episodes might not be enough to relieve this symptom. Vertigo’s hallmark sign is a false sensation that you or the room you’re in are spinning or moving. What’s boggling about this condition is that it may occur even when you are not moving.
Several vertigo patients through the years have reported that this symptom has a tremendous impact on their daily lives. Some affected individuals find it hard to perform small tasks at home or work due to spinning. Seeing the whole room suddenly spin around after moving your head ever so slightly can get in the way of activities like cooking, eating, standing, and walking.
Keeping a straight neck might not help you alleviate vertigo symptoms. However, in this article, we’ll discuss what vertigo is, its primary accompanying conditions, and different relief options for vertigo episodes.
Table of Contents
Before we get to the nitty-gritty of vertigo episodes, let’s talk about what vertigo is.
Vertigo is a false sensation that your surroundings are spinning even though you are staying absolutely still. Vertigo-associated symptoms may arise during a spell. Common symptoms include tinnitus, abnormal eye movements, dizziness, feeling faint or weak, and difficulty moving. Attacks can be mild; in some cases, they can be debilitating.
Bouts of vertigo may result from issues in the vestibular system, consisting of the brainstem and the inner ear. The vestibular system plays a massive role in finding balance when moving. An underlying condition can also bring about vertigo episodes. One of these conditions is Meniere’s disease.
Prosper Meniere is a French physician who discovered that hearing issues, tinnitus (ringing of the ears), and vertigo are all issues in the ear. Meniere’s disease is named after Dr. Meniere after its identification in 1861. It is a chronic disease that affects more than 600,000 people in the United States alone.
When a person has Meniere’s disease, they have excessive amounts of endolymph in their inner ear. Endolymph is a fluid that plays a vital role in the function of the inner ear. An excess of this fluid can lead to ear-related issues that include the onset of vertigo.
People with Meniere’s disease may experience their condition differently. Some individuals may experience isolated episodes. Unfortunately for others, clusters of spells may aggravate them for days or weeks at a time. Anyone can be susceptible to this disease. However, people who are more than 40 years of age have a higher risk of developing this condition.
Experts have determined a number of possible causes in the development of Meniere’s disease in an individual. Some of them are as follows:
They have also discovered the three stages of Meniere’s disease.
In the early stage of Meniere’s, the affected individual may experience a feeling of blockages or decreased hearing in one of their ears. Some report that they experience a ringing sound in their affected ear, indicating that they also experience tinnitus. They may also experience vertigo spells for up to twenty minutes to one day.
Meniere patients can expect fewer vertigo episodes during the middle stage of this disease. However, hearing loss and tinnitus may be more intense during this stage. People with Meniere’s disease may experience this middle stage for several months.
In the late stages of Meniere’s disease, affected individuals may experience a difference in their balance, gait, and hearing. Hearing loss is more evident in the late stage. People with Meniere’s might not experience vertigo episodes at all during this stage.
No cure-all can eliminate all of Meniere’s symptoms, including vertigo. However, specific methods and options that people with Meniere’s can try to help relieve this condition.
Diet can play a huge role in any disease, including Meniere’s. One of the theories about this disease is that it can result from excess fluid in the inner ear. Fluid retention is a common side-effect of taking too much salt. Hence, a low-sodium diet can help lower the level of fluids in the body as well as the inner ear.
As mentioned earlier, Meniere’s disease might stem from an injury from a trauma to the head or neck. In most cases, people neglect to get much-needed check-ups after an accident involving their neck, thinking that nothing will come out of it. However, they might get surprised with the development of this disease years later. Individuals may assume that they have a straight neck. However, even a tiny misalignment in the neck can lead to the onset of Meniere’s and vertigo. Regular neck check-ups can help detect any underlying issue that may result in Meniere’s disease.
An upper neck misalignment may result in Meniere’s disease and, ultimately, vertigo. The inner ear is located within proximity to the atlas and axis vertebrates that connect the head and neck as well as shields the brainstem. The atlas, due to its purpose and location, is more susceptible to misalignments. Fortunately, chiropractic care can address this issue. One branch of chiropractic care focuses on the uppermost part of the spine. This practice is called Upper Cervical Care.
Upper cervical chiropractic care uses a modern, systematic technique to assess problems in the upper neck area to correct any misalignments. After the assessment, upper cervical chiropractors will perform accurate and gentle maneuvers that can help you reduce the pain and issues associated with the condition.
This natural and safe alternative has garnered plenty of positive results from the patients that have received upper cervical chiropractic care. Some patients reported that they experienced relief from vertigo after a few adjustments. The goal of upper cervical care is to resolve the root of the issue to help the body heal from the symptoms.
If you’re eager to find out more about what upper cervical chiropractic care can do for you, contact the nearest practitioner in your area.
to schedule a consultation today.
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.
