You may feel like you know everything that there is to know about vertigo. After all, it is one of the most common symptoms people experience due to the sheer number of conditions that can cause this symptom. Will we be able to shock you with anything on our list today? There’s only one way to find out! It’s time for our list of surprising vertigo facts. 

The Eighth Cranial Nerve Supplies Balance Information to the Brain from the Ears 

There are 12 cranial nerves. Most of them serve the purpose of sending sensory information to the brain. They also help control many of the body’s automatic processes such as heart rate, sweating, gastrointestinal peristalsis, and more. The vestibulocochlear nerve is the eighth cranial nerve, and it is responsible for sending information between the ears and brain regarding balance and spatial orientation. 

Have you ever experienced a week or two of vertigo following a virus such as the flu or common cold? Inflammation of the vestibular nerve (vestibular neuritis) is one possible reason. Of course, inflammation in the inner ear (labyrinthitis) would cause the same symptoms. Either way, the swelling and vertigo should clear up within a couple of weeks of the virus. 

Central Vertigo Refers to Any Vertigo Causes in the Central Nervous System 

While peripheral vertigo (causes in the ear) are considered to be more common, there are a lot of central nervous system conditions that can lead to vertigo as well. The number one example has to be migraines. There are about 39 million people in America who get migraines. As much as 40% will experience vertigo as a symptom. Yes, millions of people in the US and around the world are experiencing vertigo as the result of neurological conditions like such as this. 

Dizziness and Vertigo Are Not Synonyms 

Now don’t look this up in a dictionary and say its wrong. Some dictionaries will list everything from dizziness and disequilibrium to lightheadedness and giddiness as synonyms for vertigo. That doesn’t make it accurate in the medical sense. Will your doctor know what you are talking about if you say dizziness instead of vertigo? Possibly, but wouldn’t you rather be sure by using the right term?

To be certain that vertigo is what you are experiencing, we should give you a good definition. Vertigo is a false sensation of movement that can include spinning, swaying, or tilting. You may feel like you are moving when you are not or that the room around you is in motion when it is not. If you are experiencing vertigo, use the word vertigo, and it will make things easier for your doctor. 

You Are Unlikely to Find Out What Is Causing Your Vertigo 

Basically, it is a coin toss. About half of people who get vertigo discover the underlying cause. If you get a diagnosis of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (usually shortened to BPPV or positional vertigo), then your odds are even slimmer. Don’t give up, though. Learning what is causing your vertigo can play a significant role in getting the help you need rather than just trying to correct a symptom. 

Your Atlas May Be Part of the Problem 

If this is the first time you’ve heard the term atlas used to refer to a part of the body, that’s okay. It refers to the C1 vertebra, the bone that your skull is balanced on. It also surrounds and protects the brainstem. As if that wasn’t enough, it is part of the cervical spine, the seven neck bones that facilitate blood flow to the head by means of the vertebral foramen – loops of bone that make way for the vertebral arteries. 

It is clear that a misalignment of the atlas can have a significant effect on the central nervous system. However, even if your vertigo is related to your ears, the atlas may still be at fault. How so? Because the atlas balances the skull, the slightest misalignment causes changes in the surrounding soft tissue. This can affect the eustachian tubes – the tubes that drain excess fluid away from the ears. As a result, fluid can build up and lead to recurring bouts of vertigo. 

Either way, the atlas may be part of the problem if you are living with vertigo on a regular basis. Therefore, it makes sense to have this particular bone checked for misalignments and corrected. Did you know that there is a specific form of chiropractic for this precise misalignment? 

Try Upper Cervical Specific Chiropractic for Natural Help with Vertigo 

Upper cervical specific chiropractic focuses on the top two bones in the neck, the C1 and C2 vertebrae. Diagnostic imaging is used to pinpoint misalignments precisely. The practitioner calculates a unique adjustment for each patient using measurements from the x-rays. These adjustments are low force and may move the atlas a fraction of a millimeter at a time. Therefore, corrections are safe for any member of the family.

If you are experiencing chronic bouts of vertigo, especially if you have a history of head or neck injuries, this may be the right natural alternative for you. To learn more, contact an upper cervical chiropractor in your area. The search feature on this site can help you to locate a preferred doctor. Your initial consultation may be the first step toward finding long-term relief from vertigo, so make the call today.

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