Have you ever experienced an incident wherein the world feels like it's spinning and twisting and turning, yet you are not engaging in any movement? There's a big chance you're experiencing vertigo. It's known to bring false sensations that you are moving or your surroundings are moving. It can stem from various reasons such as inner ear infections, blood pressure changes, or sometimes, recurrent vertigo can mean that you are at risk of getting a stroke. Whatever the cause is, people who experience it all have one important goal, long-term vertigo relief.

It's important to remember that vertigo is not a condition or illness but a symptom related to a health concern. It makes you feel like you are spinning or tilting even when you're stationary. It can be accompanied by extreme dizziness, nausea, vomiting, sweating, and a feeling of instability or weakness.

With vertigo being a symptom, common and uncommon health concerns trigger its episode. The elderly or seniors aged 60 and above usually complain about vertigo. However, it can also happen to anyone, anytime.

There are two primary types of vertigo, including peripheral vertigo and central vertigo, which are determined based on their cause. 

Peripheral Vertigo happens when the issue is related to the inner ear, particularly the parts in the inner ear that support your balance.

On the other hand, central Vertigo results from an interruption or disturbance in one or more areas of the brain called the sensory nerve pathways. This usually involves your cerebellum and brainstem, which are connected to an individual's perception of balance and vision. 

How can you tell if it's vertigo? 

Despite it being a symptom itself, vertigo is usually accompanied by other symptoms, including:

• Headache
• Tinnitus or ringing in the ears
• Nausea that can lead to vomiting
• Balance issues
• Feelings of lightheadedness
• Ear congestion
• Feelings of motion sickness

Vertigo often triggers a feeling of dizziness, but it also usually comes with spinning or rotational movement. If you notice and experience the symptoms we listed above too often, it might be time to explore vertigo relief options to ease your discomfort.

Causes of Vertigo

It may be easier to find effective vertigo relief when you identify the cause of your vertigo. Some conditions have vertigo as one of their main symptoms. For example, many patients experience vertigo due to an issue with the inner ear. In rare cases, vertigo may result from malfunctions or problems in some brain parts. 

Common reasons that trigger vertigo

Spinning sensations usually stem from an underlying problem in the vestibular system. Here are some of the most frequently reported vestibular disorders: 

• Meniere's disease – It is a rare condition that causes fluid build-up in the inner ear that triggers vertigo attacks, usually affecting individuals aged 40 to 60.
• Labyrinthitis – This refers to the inflammation of the inner ear labyrinth – a critical organ that identifies the body's position, detects head movements and facilitates hearing. Most reported cases of this condition stem from a viral infection. 
• BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) – This is perhaps one of the most common causes of vertigo. Your inner ear has calcium crystals called otoconia, and vertigo results when they move to the wrong part of the ear. 
• Cholesteatoma - When the skin grows in the middle ear and becomes too large, it can lead to damage in the ear leading to hearing loss and vertigo. This growth happens due to repeated infections.
• Vestibular Neuronitis - or the inflammation of the vestibular portion of the eighth cranial nerve, typically brings vertigo and other symptoms. A viral infection can cause this inflammation. 

Uncommon reasons why people suffer from vertigo

Some conditions may have vertigo as a possible symptom or a side effect. A few examples of these include: 

• Head or neck injuries or trauma - If you recently endured a blow or trauma in the head or neck, you may experience vertigo following the incident.
• Stroke - Sometimes, vertigo episodes serve as a warning sign; if there are other telling signs of stroke, make sure you seek emergency care.
• Migraine headaches - Some migraine patients report vertigo symptoms accompanied by other visual and sensory disturbances. 
• Medications - Some medications affect the organs that perceive balance and movements. If you notice vertigo or dizziness because of your current prescription, we suggest talking to your doctor about your discomfort and possibly other medication options.  
• Otosclerosis – This refers to a middle ear bone problem that leads to hearing loss.
• Perilymphatic fistula – Damage in one or both of the membranes separating the middle and inner ear can impact vestibular function. 
• Acoustic neuroma – This refers to the benign tissue growth on the vestibular nerve. It’s a rare problem that can impact both balance and hearing. 

Natural Vertigo Relief: Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care

Apart from problems related to the inner ear, a misalignment in your upper cervical spine may also be linked to vertigo. This is because when your topmost bones, called atlas (C1) and axis (C2), move out of their proper alignment, the rest of your spine compensates and follows the alignment they set. 

Incorrect bone alignment can also bring excessive stress and pressure to your brainstem, including the surrounding nerves, muscles, and tissues. This can trigger pain, discomfort, and even confusion in your brain's perceptions and cause an obstruction of blood flow and send wrong signals to the brain. These signals are messages that contain information about the location and perception of the surroundings in your brain. Vertigo and other symptoms occur when the brain continuously receives wrong messages.

Correcting the misalignment is critical to alleviating your vertigo and its accompanying symptoms. You will need help from a reputable and certified upper cervical chiropractic doctor. It's best to find someone close to you to make sure you can follow through with the recommended care.

If you are ready and want to experience the benefits of upper cervical chiropractic adjustment, check out our upper cervical chiropractic doctors directory and reach out to someone who services your area. Upper cervical care is a safe, natural, and gentle chiropractic technique that potentially brings long-term relief from vertigo.

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