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As veteran vertigo chiropractic doctors in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, we’ve seen how vertigo symptoms can affect those who experience it. But in case you aren’t familiar with this disorder, it brings discomfort through an uncontrollable spinning sensation, even while in a stationary position.
The spinning sensation of vertigo can happen from two perspectives. If you feel like you’re moving even when you’re not, that is called subjective vertigo. Inversely, if you feel like the world around you is spinning, that is called objective vertigo.
What makes vertigo alarming is when it occurs during a time when an individual is in the middle of a task like driving a car or operating heavy machinery. A sudden spinning sensation may cause them to lose control, which can turn into a dangerous situation.
If you’re suffering from vertigo or know someone who is, this is the article to read. It should provide more information about the condition, as well as the best ways to deal with it when it strikes.
What Causes Vertigo?
Experts point to possible brain or central nervous system issues. Some also attribute the disorder to inner ear problems, otherwise known as peripheral vertigo.
It is important to note that vertigo isn’t a condition itself. Instead, it is a symptom of an underlying condition. It is not contagious.
Below are some conditions that have vertigo as a symptom:
BPPV or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
This disorder is the most common condition that causes reoccurring bouts of vertigo. Calcium crystals in the inner ear dislodge from their proper location and travel into the fluid-filled canals of the inner ear. The presence of the calcium crystals disrupts the body’s ability to correctly sense the body’s movement. When BBPV strikes, the person affected feels vertigo that lasts from 15 seconds to a few minutes. Sudden movements and changes in head position, like rolling over in bed, are more likely to trigger the vertigo.
BPPV may be an annoyance but it is not detrimental to a person’s health. One common remedy for it is the Epley Maneuver, which involves specific movements of the head to move the calcium crystals out of the fluid-filled canals.
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Labyrinthitis or vestibular neuritis
This condition involves the inflammation of the inner ear, commonly caused by viral infections like influenza, herpes, hepatitis, and measles, to name a few. It may last for days until the inflammation completely subsides.
Acoustic neuroma
Unlike BPPV, acoustic neuroma is very rare. A tumor in the inner ear causes it, subsequently affecting the nerves. Vertigo is one of the symptoms, along with hearing loss and ringing in one ear.
Meniere’s disease
Meniere’s disease is the worst on this list, as it includes vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss as a trifecta of symptoms. Vertigo is the first one that strikes, followed by tinnitus. These symptoms are also intermittent.
Meniere’s isn’t fully understood just yet, but some causes point to viral infections of the inner ear, head injuries, and allergies.
Other causes of vertigo include multiple sclerosis, decreased blood flow to the brain, as well as head and neck trauma. Also part of the list are migraines, stress, anxiety and panic attacks, even low blood sugar. In addition, vertigo can happen during abrupt changes in hormones.
What Are the Common Vertigo Symptoms?
People with vertigo share common symptoms like nausea and vomiting, sweating, and abnormal eye movements. Some also experience visual disturbances, weakness, speech and walking problems, as well as impaired consciousness.
Hearing is most affected during vertigo episodes. Some people experience total hearing loss while others go through tinnitus or the ringing in the ears.
When Do You Seek Medical Help for Vertigo?
Despite the dangers that come with it, vertigo doesn’t necessarily need immediate medical help. But some symptoms require extra attention, such as double vision, weakness of arms and legs, altered consciousness, and lack of coordination.
Other symptoms to look out for are problems waking up, speech problems, and the inability to move one side of the face or body. If you start experiencing any of these symptoms, seek medical help immediately.
How Does the Body’s Balance System Relate to Vertigo?
Balance happens with the help of sensorimotor control systems. That includes input from the eyes, input from the ears, and input from the body’s sense of touch. All the input is then processed, resulting in motor output to the eyes and body muscles to make adjustments to keep the body from falling over.
If you’re properly balanced, you should see clearly while moving and determine the direction of your movement. But any alterations of these systems as a result of an injury, health condition, or just the body’s aging process, can result in vertigo.
How Can Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care Relieve Vertigo Symptoms?
The top bones in the neck, called the C1 and C2 vertebrae, are two of the most mobile bones in the body. That said, they are also the most vulnerable to misalignment. And once a misalignment happens, the brainstem endures unnecessary pressure, leading to mixed signals sent to the brain.
The brainstem may tell the brain that the body is in motion, even if it’s not. As a result, vertigo can occur.
But with the help of upper cervical chiropractic care, the C1 and C2 can receive the care they need to stay in proper alignment. Here at Tranquility Specific Chiropractic, we use gentle and precise methods to encourage the bones back into alignment.
If you’re looking for vertigo chiropractic doctors in Pittsburgh, contact us to schedule an appointment or a free 10-minute phone consultation. This may be your first step on the road to finding relief from your vertigo episodes.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Bragg & Dr. Gurcak, call our Pittsburgh office at (412) 833-1314. You can also click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.
