Vertigo Episodes in the Workplace: Top 8 Triggers

Have you ever felt confident and empowered at work, only to be suddenly struck by vertigo episodes? Imagine feeling in control and productive as you tackle your to-do list with ease, only for the room to start spinning without warning, leaving you lightheaded and disoriented. Your heart races as you struggle to maintain your balance, and suddenly you're gripped by a sense of incapacity and fear. Feelings like these can be truly overwhelming, especially in an office setting where productivity is crucial.

This scenario is all too familiar to those who suffer from vertigo while working in an office. The feeling of being in control and productive can be quickly replaced by a sense of helplessness and vulnerability. But don’t despair. There is a way to improve your chances of staying in control of your life despite vertigo – atlas bone adjustment. Read on to learn about the eight triggers of vertigo episodes at the office and your best option to cope better.

Common Causes of Vertigo Episodes at Work

Vertigo is a dizzying feeling that can occur at any time, including in the workplace. Although it may seem like a minor inconvenience, it can lead to a loss of productivity and even cause accidents. Here are some common causes of vertigo at work:

1. Poor Lighting: Inadequate lighting can strain the eyes and cause headaches, leading to dizziness or vertigo.
2. Dehydration: Dehydration can cause dizziness, as it leads to a decrease in blood volume and low blood pressure.
3. Stress: High levels of stress can cause changes in blood pressure, leading to dizziness or vertigo.
4. Poor ventilation: Poor air circulation in the workplace can lead to a lack of oxygen, causing dizziness or lightheadedness.
5. Inner Ear Problems: Issues with the inner ear, such as infection or inflammation, can cause vertigo episodes.
6. Medications: Certain medications can cause dizziness or vertigo as a side effect.
7. Motion sickness: Sensitivity to motion, such as in a car or on a plane, can cause vertigo when returning to a stationary position. 
8. Prolonged sitting: Sitting in one position for an extended period can cause blood to pool in the legs and lower body, leading to dizziness or vertigo when standing up. This can also affect your posture negatively over time, leading to an atlas subluxation, affecting your nervous and vestibular systems.

Being aware of these common causes and taking steps to prevent them can help reduce the risk of experiencing vertigo in the workplace. Simple remedies like taking breaks, drinking water, and adjusting the lighting can go a long way in promoting a healthy work environment. But if you are looking for a safe and effective approach to vertigo, try atlas bone adjustment.

Other Triggers or Causes of Vertigo Episodes Outside the Workplace

#1. Anemia

Anemia can cause everything from exhaustion to dizziness. If too much blood is lost, this can cause a person to become anemic very quickly. As a result, this is a common occurrence for menstruating women. This is another condition that can be easily diagnosed using a blood test. There are also numerous treatments to increase red blood cell levels.

#2. Heart Disease

This is one of the most serious causes of dizziness. If you are having symptoms of a heart attack, you need immediate medical attention. Dizziness, however, can also be related to high blood pressure, low blood pressure, an arrhythmia, a heart valve deformity, or other heart issues.

#3. Neurological Conditions

If dizziness is accompanied by stoke symptoms, time is of the essence, and emergency medical attention is a must. However, there are many other neurological conditions that can cause dizziness such as MS (multiple sclerosis) and migraines.

#4. History of Head or Neck Trauma

Injuries such as a concussion or whiplash often lead to long-term issues with vertigo episodes. This can indicate post-concussion syndrome, but it also may reveal the underlying causes for many cases of dizziness. When the head or neck is injured, a misalignment of the atlas (C1) at the base of the skull is common. Such a misalignment can cause the following effects:

• Changed blood flow to the brain – Since the cervical vertebrae facilitate blood flow to the brain, it makes sense that a misalignment can affect this proper flow of oxygen-rich blood.
• Altered brainstem function – Since the atlas protects the brainstem, any misalignment can put pressure on the brainstem. This may inhibit proper function which can, in turn, lead to dizziness or vertigo episodes.
• Formation of Eustachian tube lesion – Case studies have revealed that an upper cervical misalignment can result in the gradual formation of a Eustachian tube lesion. Gradual changes in the ear’s ability to drain properly have led to Meniere’s disease for some, with up to 15 years between the injury and the onset of the syndrome.

Is vertigo a disease?

Vertigo is not a disease or a standalone condition.  Instead, vertigo is a symptom that may arise due to several underlying health conditions or diseases.  Vertigo has two categories based on where it has its origins:

• Central vertigo is due to a central nervous system disorder.  Potential causes of central vertigo include migraines, multiple sclerosis (MS), acoustic neuroma, brain tumors, and medication side-effects.
• Peripheral vertigo is caused by issues that arise from the inner ear.  Diseases associated with peripheral vertigo, which is more common than central vertigo, include BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo), Meniere’s disease, labyrinthitis, and vestibular neuritis.

What is the difference between vertigo and dizziness?

Dizziness is an inexact term that can pertain to various sensations. When you feel dizzy, you might feel disoriented, faint, woozy, or lightheaded. Vertigo episodes, on the other hand, make you feel as if you’re spinning or that the environment around you is spinning or whirling.  Vertigo is the false sensation of movement. People sometimes use it to describe a fear of heights. Vertigo involves other symptoms including nausea, vomiting, hearing changes, and tinnitus.  Both dizziness and vertigo can be due to many things, including dehydration, rapid changes in blood pressure, inner ear problems, certain medications, or positional changes.

Are abnormal eye movements associated with vertigo episodes?

One of the ways that your body tries to correct for abnormal balance signals is by moving the eyes.  When the eyes make involuntary, abnormal eye movements during vertigo episodes, it is nystagmus.  When the vestibular system isn’t functioning properly, false signals can be sent to the brain about movement. The eyes will essentially try to compensate for the false spinning sensation by moving in a jerking motion.  Different types of vertigo can produce nystagmus with differing patterns, which can be useful in determining the underlying disease.

Is vertigo related to a history of head or neck injury?

More research is revealing a connection between an injury to the head or neck and the later onset of vertigo.  Vertigo is a known symptom of post-concussion syndrome, which occurs when concussion symptoms persist long after the injury.  A blow to the head or neck can also provoke BPPV, vestibular migraines, cervicogenic vertigo, Meniere’s disease, central nervous system dysfunction, tinnitus, and other damage to the inner ear.

Say Goodbye to Vertigo with Atlas Bone Adjustment!

If you've been struggling with vertigo, there's hope for relief through Upper Cervical Care. An atlas bone adjustment can help keep your spine in its proper alignment and prevent vertigo triggers from easily affecting you. In addition to reducing vertigo symptoms, Upper Cervical Chiropractic can also improve your overall health. It can help with neck and back pain, improve your posture, and boost your immune system. The benefits are truly remarkable! And it’s a highly recommended technique to use if you have a long history of neck and head injuries. 

Such events compromise the ligaments holding the atlas and axis bones in place, increasing your risks for postural misalignments that impact your overall health and wellness. 

If you're ready to try atlas bone adjustment for your vertigo episodes, be sure to book an appointment with a credible upper cervical chiropractor. You can use the Upper Cervical Awareness: Find-a-Doctor tool to find a qualified practitioner in your area. With the help of gentle neck bone adjustments, you can say goodbye to vertigo and experience a happier, healthier, worry-free, and more productive work life.