When someone experiences dizziness, also called vertigo, the whole world seems to spin out of control with the nearest solid object becoming a lifesaver. Vertigo is a common complaint, especially after head and neck trauma. It may come from problems in the inner ear, or from disturbances in pathways in the nervous system. The experience can be impact your whole world, causing nausea, vomiting, and sweating.
In the majority of cases, people experiencing vertigo will be diagnosed with one of a few more common causes:
BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) – Vertigo associated with BPPV occurs in conjunction with head position. Otoliths, or calcium crystals, that are normally embedded in the inner ear can migrate into areas where they don’t belong. This essentially confuses the brain into thinking the head is moving, which can lead to the whirling, spinning sensations of a vertigo attack. BPPV can cause nausea or vomiting along with vertigo attacks, but tinnitus and hearing loss is not usually associated with this condition.
Meniere’s disease – Meniere’s disease is associated with a dysfunction in the fluid balance in the inner ear. Usually only affecting one ear, Meniere’s can cause tinnitus, ear fullness, and fluctuating hearing loss in addition to severe vertigo attacks. Vertigo attacks usually happen suddenly and can last from 20 minutes to a full day.
Vestibular neuritis – Also referred to as labyrinthitis, vestibular neuritis is caused by inflammation of the nerve cells in the inner ear that control balance. In most cases, this is caused by a viral infection and will resolve after about a week. Depending on the part of the nerve that is impacted, vertigo can occur with or without hearing changes.
Vestibular migraine – Approximately 40% of migraines sufferers will experience vestibular symptoms such as vertigo. Vertigo, dizziness, nausea, noise sensitivity, loss of balance, and tinnitus can occur before, during, or after a migraine attack.
Chiropractic care can help treat vertigo by doing different exercises or manipulations.
A more common type of vertigo, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), is due to the movement of crystals around the inner-ear. These crystals are from your otolith organs and make you sensitive to gravity. They can shift out of the organ and into other parts of the vestibular labyrinth, altering your center of balance and briefly making you feel dizzy.
To help rectify BPPV, your chiropractor may use the Epley maneuver, which maneuvers your head into different positions to reposition the crystals inside the inner ear.
Your chiropractor may also teach you a few specific exercises to do at home that may be able to benefit the vestibular system and how it interacts with your brain. Your chiropractor will discuss your diet and daily habits to pinpoint other reasons for vertigo. Tobacco, alcohol, caffeine, and other substances that stimulate or depress the nervous system may become triggers. And non-prescription sleeping pills or antihistamines can spark dizziness. Your chiropractor may also suggest meditation, relaxation, or breathing techniques to regain control.
