Experiencing vertigo for the first time can be pretty overwhelming. It can also become a major stressor if you don't know why you have false spinning sensations in the first place. Because of this, we thought of creating a short roundup of vertigo facts that every undiagnosed patient needs to know. This way, you can identify options you can use to achieve vertigo relief and manage unique or common migraine triggers.  

1. Vertigo can stem from central or peripheral origins.

Doctors classify vertigo attacks into two: peripheral and central. Unfortunately, not many people know how to distinguish between them. This causes patients to feel confused or uncertain when finding a suitable remedy. Here are quick facts to help you know which type of vertigo attack you have:

• Peripheral vertigo arises from vestibular disorders like Meniere's, labyrinthitis, vestibular neuritis, and BPPV. 
• Central vertigo stems from problems within the CNS (central nervous system), such as multiple sclerosis, tumors, stroke, and migraine attacks.  
• Notably, central vertigo causes worse instability than peripheral vertigo. Many patients diagnosed with central vertigo can't stand without losing balance when they experience an episode. 
• Peripheral vertigo attacks are often intermittent, while central vertigo attacks can stretch for weeks or months.

2. Vertigo can co-exist with migraine attacks. 

Some patients who experience vertigo attacks are migraineurs. These individuals also notice additional symptoms that can cause equally debilitating effects. Some examples of these symptoms include the following: 

• Aura (visual and sensory disturbances)
• Sensory sensitivity 
• Upset stomach
• Nausea
• Vomiting

3. Vertigo isn't the same as dizzying spells.

Dizzying spells and vertigo attacks are two different things. Essentially, dizziness is an umbrella term that encompasses many things, including vertigo attacks, pre-syncope, and disequilibrium. It can get triggered by all kinds of things, including malnutrition, motion sickness, and low blood sugar.

On the other hand, vertigo causes a fake feeling of spinning, tilting, or swaying. It causes your brain and vestibulocochlear nerve to malfunction and detect false or overly exaggerated movements. Unlike dizziness which arises from simple physiological problems, vertigo attacks come hand in hand with other pre-existing health concerns. A few examples of these include: 

• Cervical subluxation 
• Brainstem infarction
• Head or neck trauma
• Inner ear infection
• Acoustic neuroma
• Mal Debarquement Syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Multiple sclerosis
• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
• Meniere’s disease
• Inner ear infection

4. Vertigo can sometimes trigger anxiety and mental health problems. 

Vertigo can sometimes set off anxiety attacks. However, studies explain that vertigo doesn’t cause the issue itself. Instead, patients constantly worry about when they will experience spinning sensations. This is especially true for people who need to commute to work, handle heavy machinery, or navigate a busy and hectic schedule.

5. Women are more likely to develop vertigo-causing health conditions.

Thousands of patients who seek vertigo relief are females. That’s because women experience hormonal fluctuations throughout their lifetime. On top of that, women go through several body changes because of birth control pills, bone density loss, age-related vitamin D deficiency, and pregnancy. 

6. Sometimes vertigo can develop because of medication abuse. 

Some medications can trigger dizziness and spinning sensations. A few examples of these medications include anticonvulsants, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, and anticonvulsants. If you experience problems with your prescription drugs, we strongly suggest talking to your physician and switching to alternatives. You may also request to update the dosage or try a holistic and natural remedy instead. 

7. Postural imbalances sometimes lead to vertigo-causing disorders.

Did you know that postural imbalances in the neck bone can sometimes cause vertigo attacks? Case studies note that changes in the C1 and C2 neck bone position can impair brainstem function and slow down fluid drainage in the eustachian tubes. On top of that, cervical subluxation can cause significant signal interferences between the brain, brainstem, and nerve roots. 

Cervical subluxation or neck bone shifting is a relatively common problem in the USA. It primarily develops after a severe neck or head trauma, but it can also occur because of the following:

• Repetitive strain injuries
• Lack of proper posture
• Presence of degenerative disc diseases

The uppermost neck bones often shift away from their original position because of their unique and flexible design. It only takes very minimal force to dislodge the C1 and C2 bones. Additionally, the changes to the neck bone structure remain undetected until the symptoms of cervical subluxation appear.  

8. Upper Cervical Chiropractic can bring vertigo relief.

Many patients who experience frequent spinning sensations opt for natural remedies to achieve lasting vertigo relief. One example of the options you should consider exploring is upper cervical care. It’s proven effective in correcting postural imbalances and relieving pressure on the brainstem and vestibular system.

Studies show that it also works well in preventing or reducing the impact of vertigo-causing conditions like BPPV, Meniere’s, and inner ear infections. It also helps people manage risks for central vertigo attacks that result from nervous system problems. 

Many patients have enjoyed massive improvements in their overall wellbeing after receiving upper cervical chiropractic adjustments. So, we highly recommend booking your first appointment to gauge how far your C2 and C2 bones shifted and determine how long it would take to retrain the spine. 

We strongly recommend locating the nearest upper cervical chiropractic practice so you can start exploring lasting a reliable source of vertigo relief today.

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