Essential Facts on Central and Peripheral Vertigo

August 14, 2022

vertigo, upper cervical chiropractic

Vertigo causes the sensation of spinning or turning. It can occur when you move your head, or it may stem from something else like blood pressure fluctuation or anemia. You might experience vertigo if you see things moving around in your field of vision, hear sounds as if they were coming from behind you, or feel dizzy and unsteady on your feet randomly or suddenly. In this blog post, we'll discuss the two distinctions of vertigo – Central and Peripheral, and how you can potentially relieve your symptom with the help of upper cervical chiropractic.

 

Quick Differentiation

Peripheral vertigo results from inner ear defects that prevent your brain from receiving correct information about your body's movement or orientation. On the one hand, central vertigo occurs because of problems in the central nervous system. It causes severe dizziness and even vomiting if left unresolved. 

Both types of vertigo have different causes. They require a bit of intervention to prevent them from causing more problems. Let us discuss them thoroughly so you can better understand what you feel and how you can move forward.

 

Central Vertigo

This type of vertigo makes sufferers believe or feel like they're falling or spinning when no movement occurs. It can come with accompanying symptoms that vary depending on the underlying cause. 

Causes of Central Vertigo

Central vertigo mainly occurs because of brainstem lesions and vascular problems in the brain. It commonly affects aging people but can also occur in younger patients, especially those conditions that trigger acute demyelination, such as multiple sclerosis. 

Conditions Linked with Central Vertigo

  • Migraine headaches
  • Tumors
  • Stroke
  • Multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Brain injury or damage (due to a brain tumor, stroke, or other illness that affects the blood supply to the brain)

 

Peripheral Vertigo

Peripheral vertigo stems from a problem in the inner ear. The defect can affect several parts of the inner ear and its associated nerves. According to a 2021 case study, peripheral vertigo accounts for up to 80 percent of all the reported cases of spinning sensations.

Conditions Linked with Peripheral Vertigo

Several conditions can trigger peripheral vertigo. Some examples of these include: 

  • Meniere's disease
  • Vestibular migraine
  • Labyrinthitis (inflammation of the inner ear)
  • Perilymph fistula (a ruptured blood vessel in the middle ear)
  • Labyrinthine fistula or hematoma (an injury to the inner ear caused by blunt trauma).

It is essential to distinguish between peripheral and central vertigo. So, we suggest speaking with your physician or ear doctor to retrace the most likely reason you have spinning sensations. The better you know about the specific type of vertigo you have, the more effective care plan you can create for yourself or your affected loved one.

vertigo, upper cervical chiropractic

 

 

 

 

 

Relief Options for Recurring Vertigo Episodes

People who experience frequent vertigo attacks have varying options for relief. Home remedies such as doing balance and eye exercises may come in handy in reducing the intensity of a spinning sensation. In addition, you can tap into helpful techniques such as the following: 

  • Canalith reposition maneuvers (The Epley, Semont Maneuver, etc.)
  • Tai chi and yoga
  • Breathing exercises
  • Diet changes (lesser sodium intake)
  • Stress management
  • Hydration
  • Vitamin D supplementation
  • Limiting alcohol intake 
  • Acupuncture
  • Upper cervical chiropractic

It's also essential to retrace the underlying cause of your symptom. We suggest paying close attention to your accompanying symptoms and reporting them during your consultation with your doctor. This way, you can take medications or undergo medical intervention like ear surgery to get to the bottom of your vestibular problem. 

For example, if you have an inner ear infection, you may need to take antibacterial or antiviral medication to eliminate the pathogen. On the one hand, if the problem arises from cervical misalignment, you may need a referral to an upper cervical doctor.

 

Upper Cervical Chiropractic for Significant Vertigo Relief

Vertigo attacks can be quite debilitating, especially if they happen while you are working or in the middle of a long commute. Thankfully, you can determine how to move forward with an in-depth diagnosis of how you feel. Hopefully, our quick guide on peripheral and central vertigo helped you better grasp the two different health problems. 

Additionally, we hoped our discussion sparked your interest in exploring one of the most popular options for vertigo relief - upper cervical chiropractic. Notably, both central and peripheral vertigo can worsen if you have postural problems in your cervical spine. That's because the bones tend to press on your brainstem, affecting several crucial physiological functions such as maintaining equilibrium and detecting motion. 

Thousands of people experiencing repetitive bouts of spinning sensations opt for a natural and holistic path to healing with the help of upper cervical chiropractic care. It's safe, effective, non-invasive, and all-natural! 

Upper cervical chiropractic care is a holistic approach to health that focuses on the body's ability to heal itself. It has been used for many years and years to help manage the effects of numerous health problems that trigger vertigo. 

The concept behind this approach is simple: when the different body parts and systems work correctly and in harmony, you can experience optimal health. Conversely, when something goes awry — like nerve dysfunction, compression, or vertebrae misalignment — you fail to function at your highest level of performance. 

If you are interested in learning more about all the kinds of vertigo and how chiropractic care can help you, visit Upper Cervical Awareness. Find a credible chiropractor near you through the UCA Doctors Directory!

 

Find An Upper Cervical Doctor in Your Areato schedule a consultation today.

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