Have you ever had a simple head movement that triggers sudden and intense dizziness? What if this happens every time you turn your head, making every step a potential stumble? Having a stable balance helps support your daily routines. Did you know that the tiny inner ear crystals in your inner ear influence your sense of balance? When they move, they can throw your entire world off balance, and the next thing you know, you’re in desperate need of BPPV relief because you cannot function like you used to. So what do you do when these crystals get dislodged in both ears? First off, is that even possible?

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), a disorder characterized by sudden episodes of dizziness and vertigo, is a condition that can leave you feeling disoriented and off-balance. However, for a select few, the challenges accompanying the condition can happen unexpectedly and even more perplexingly – affecting both ears called bilateral BPPV. Albeit rare, it’s possible to happen in 10% of cases. This introduces a new layer of complexity to an already intricate disorder. Learn more about how this specific condition works and how fixing atlas subluxation might help you improve your symptoms.

Known BPPV Triggers You Should Know About

Several factors can trigger and aggravate the disorienting episodes of positional vertigo, which can include:

1. Specific head movements

The most common trigger for positional vertigo is a change in head position. This can happen when you roll over, get out of bed, bend over, or look up. Certain movements can dislodge inner ear crystals, leading to vertigo. 

2. Abrupt posture changes

Quick changes in posture, such as standing up suddenly, can also trigger positional vertigo. This is because the sudden change in gravity can dislodge the inner ear crystals.

3. Extended upward gaze

Activities that involve prolonged periods of looking upwards, such as painting a ceiling, can disrupt inner ear balance, leading to vertigo and dizziness.

4. Stress and anxiety

Psychological factors such as stress and anxiety can also exacerbate BPPV symptoms. This is because stress and anxiety can add to the discomfort you already experience and impact certain body functions like breathing, sleeping, and transmitting nerve signals. 

5. Inactivity or bed rest

Extended periods of inactivity or bed rest can impact the normal movement of inner ear crystals, potentially triggering positional vertigo episodes.

6. Head or neck injury or atlas subluxation

Any head or neck injury that causes atlas subluxation which can further exacerbate the effects of displaced otoconia crystals, leading to worse vertigo episodes. This includes injuries such as whiplash, falls, and car accidents. 

Upper Cervical Care for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Relief

An atlas subluxation can indeed influence or aggravate your BPPV. This area consists of the top two vertebrae in the neck, called the atlas and axis, and it is responsible for supporting the head and protecting your brainstem. If this area is misaligned, it can put pressure on your nerves and blood vessels that supply the inner ear, potentially worsening positional vertigo symptoms. Your brainstem may also start to malfunction and send distorted signals to your brain about your body’s spatial orientation.

Upper Cervical Care focuses on resolving an atlas subluxation, restoring functions affected by the postural imbalance. This method can help to relieve pressure on the affected nerves and blood vessels, which can help improve balance and reduce positional vertigo symptoms.

If you are experiencing positional vertigo, seeing an Upper Cervical Chiropractor can help identify misalignment in your atlas or axis bones that may be related to your BPPV symptoms. They can evaluate your spine and determine if Upper Cervical Care suits you. 

Accidents, injuries, or poor posture can all lead to upper cervical misalignment. So if you’re experiencing unexplained symptoms and want to try or get supplemental care, book a consultation with an Upper Cervical Chiropractor today!