Vertigo attacks can completely blindside a person and be very debilitating. While many episodes are quite brief, a severe attack can lead to a fall. Even worse, it can result in a serious injury or perhaps something fatal. As a result, many people who suffer from it are anxious about when the next episode will occur.

If you have vertigo attacks on a regular basis, you need a plan of action, and that means learning everything you can about this symptom. We’re going to take a look at some of the misinformation that is out there regarding vertigo. By correcting these myths, we hope to help guide you to a natural and effective way to find genuine relief.

Misconception 1 – Vertigo Attacks Are a Condition on Their Own

The idea that vertigo attacks are a condition on their own is a common misunderstanding. There are a number of reasons this idea may have come about. First of all, only about 50% of people find the underlying cause of their vertigo. In short, so there is no disease to attribute the symptom to.

The second issue is that the number one diagnosis doctors give out for patients is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. It basically means that attacks occur based on movements of the head. It is usually BPPV or positional vertigo, and having the word vertigo in the condition only furthers the idea that vertigo is a condition and not a symptom. Unfortunately, this could lead a patient or his doctor to stop looking for an underlying cause of vertigo, which is a key element in finding long-term relief.

Misconception 2 – It Is Just Something You Have to Deal with When You Get Older

Wrinkles are something you just have to deal with as you get older. Gray hair is something you have to deal with as you get older. Vertigo is due to an underlying problem. It may be more common for someone who is older, but that is because an older person is more prone to the various underlying causes of vertigo. Vertigo is not a symptom of the aging process itself.

Again, the problem with this attitude toward vertigo is that someone who views it as part of the aging process will say, “I guess this is something I have to live with from now on,” and stop looking for a way to get relief.

Misconception 3 – All Vertigo Causes Relate to the Ears

Many vertigo causes do relate to the ears. This is because the ears are the key component in the vestibular system, which plays a pivotal role in balance and spatial orientation. But not all underlying causes of attacks are found in the ears. There is another category of vertigo conditions that relate to the central nervous system.

Take migraines as an example. Migraines are a neurological condition. One possible symptom is vertigo. In fact, between 30 and 40% of migraineurs experience vertigo as a symptom. That alone accounts for millions of vertigo sufferers who may have absolutely nothing wrong with their ears. Other causes of central vertigo can include trauma to the head or neck, infection, tumors, multiple sclerosis (MS), and anything else that may affect the brainstem or the flow of blood to the skull.

Misconception 4 – Its Attacks Don’t Have a Stigma Attached

The fact that vertigo is so common should mean that people are understanding, and you can say you get it without someone taking a step back or looking at you funny. However, the big problem with it is that you probably look perfectly healthy. For this reason, people seem to look at someone who says they have vertigo as if they were just making an excuse to avoid doing something they don’t want to do.

This can cause big problems for someone who misses a day of work due to severe vertigo that makes it impossible to drive. It’s not like you can go and get a doctor’s note. If you could drive, you’d be at work. Especially if you wake up with it on Monday morning, you may be accused of it just being a hangover from too much partying on the weekend.  

Misconception 5 – You Can’t Get Natural Relief from Vertigo Attacks

There are actually a number of things that can help vertigo that are not related to medications, injections, or surgeries. For example, some people get benefits from canalith repositioning maneuvers, low sodium diets, and just increasing how much water they drink.

Another natural therapy to consider is upper cervical chiropractic care. This form of chiropractic focuses on the top bones in the neck to relieve central and peripheral vertigo. The safe and gentle adjustments don’t involve any popping or cracking sounds. They can relieve underlying factors such as decreased blood flow to the head, the inability of the ears to drain properly, and inhibited brainstem function.

If you are suffering from vertigo on a recurring basis, especially if you have a history of head or neck trauma, this may be just the form of natural help that you have been searching for. To learn more, find an upper cervical chiropractor in your area with the help of the search feature on this website. A consultation may be your first step on the path to becoming pain-free!

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