What is vertigo? It is a false sensation of movement. A person may feel as though he is spinning, swaying, rocking, or tilting, even when lying down. Severe cases of it can result in nausea and vomiting. If you or a loved one is suffering from vertigo, what should you know about this symptom? Is there a natural way to find some relief and possibly prevent a fall? We are going to address these topics and more.
Some may answer that question by saying that it is just a part of getting older. However, you shouldn’t write vertigo off as a part of life just because it becomes increasingly common after the age of 40. In fact, many of the 1 in 3 seniors who fall each year report a sudden case of vertigo as the cause of the fall. Thus, this is a vital matter to address.
First of all, the cause of the spinning sensation is not the same for each person. Vertigo causes are divided into two categories:
This is the less common form of vertigo. It involves an issue with the central nervous system that leads to a false sense of movement. For example, vertigo could be related to a neurological condition such as migraines, multiple sclerosis, or fibromyalgia.
Most vertigo is related to the function of the inner ear which makes up the vestibular system – the body’s way of maintaining balance and spatial orientation. While the problem may be caused by swelling in the labyrinth of the ear or the vestibular nerve that sends signals to the brain, other types of peripheral vertigo include Meniere’s disease (related to excess endolymphatic fluid in the ear) or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (vertigo that is related to head position).
This makes up a cross-section of the majority of the underlying causes of vertigo. One very serious cause not included in these two categories would be a heart attack. So if you experience spinning sensation along with a number of other symptoms of a cardiac event, you should seek emergency medical attention.
Of course, the underlying issues behind the symptom are often undiscovered. This is because a person may have vertigo a few times and then it goes away, so he or she never goes to the doctor. Or a person with chronic vertigo may not have any of the conditions noted above, so doctors are perplexed at what is causing the issue to occur. However, patients often have several common factors:
The onset of vertigo frequently follows concussions and other head injuries. It is a common migraine symptom (another condition that may set in after an injury) and is a part of the diagnosis of post-concussion syndrome.
After a whiplash-type injury, a false sense of spinning can begin and gradually become chronic. For example, a person who suffers whiplash, even in a minor car accident, may find that vertigo starts in the weeks, months, or even several years following the incident.
This starts to paint a picture in regard to how vertigo begins. The genesis is often some type of physical trauma. This may go back to the fact that most head and neck injuries, even minor ones, can cause an upper cervical misalignment. The C1 and C2 vertebrae are the top two in the spine and are located at the base of the skull. As a result, a misalignment here can affect:
The brainstem receives the signals coming from the vestibular nerve. Any problem with brainstem function could lead to confused signals about the body’s location in relation to objects around it.
If blood flow to the parts of the brain that control balance and motion are affected, this can lead to vertigo and other vestibular problems.
If a lesion forms on the Eustachian tube due to its close proximity to the C1 (atlas), this can inhibit endolymph drainage. As a result, there could be extra fluid in the ears, leading to tinnitus, vertigo, and even hearing loss.
Many patients are finding that upper cervical chiropractic is able to help with vertigo and other vestibular symptoms. This is because correcting the underlying misalignment may help relieve the issues that are leading to vertigo. It is no wonder then that in one study of 60 vertigo patients, 80% saw complete resolution of their symptoms after upper cervical chiropractic care. The other 20% all received significant benefits as well.
It is important to note that in the study mentioned above 56 of the 60 could remember a head or neck trauma in the past before vertigo began. This makes upper cervical chiropractic an important option for patients who experience the onset of vertigo following an injury. However, it also provided benefits to the patients who could remember no such injury, so an examination is in order either way.
Upper cervical chiropractors focus specifically on the C1 and C2 and use diagnostic imaging to measure misalignments precisely. This allows us to render tailored and gentle corrections for each patient. These adjustments are long-lasting and are provided on an as-needed basis, so this has proved to be a cost-effective solution for many as well.
To learn more about upper cervical chiropractic care and what it may be able to do for you, contact a practice in your area and schedule a consultation.
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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.
