Vertigo is an inner ear problem that causes intense dizziness and nausea. During an episode of vertigo, you may feel like the room is spinning or you’ve spun around in a circle many times. Episodes range in severity, but they can be absolutely debilitating. Seeking diagnosis and treatment is very important if you have symptoms of vertigo.
Causes of Vertigo
The most common type of vertigo is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo or BPPV. This condition causes calcium particles to form in the ear canals. It’s more common in older people, but younger people can also experience BPPV. About half of cases are idiopathic, meaning there is no known reason for their occurrence.
There are several other conditions associated with vertigo.
Meniere’s disease can cause vertigo as a result of fluid buildup and changing pressure in the ear.
Vestibular neuritis, which sometimes occurs after an ear infection, can cause inflammation of the nerves in the ear, which results in vertigo symptoms.
Labyrinthitis causes inflammation of the inner ear and the vestibular nerve, which is responsible for the body’s motion and position. When the vestibular nerve is disturbed, it causes loss of balance and severe dizziness.
Cholesteatoma, a skin growth in the middle ear, sometimes results from repeated infections and can cause dizziness and other vertigo symptoms.
Doctors are not always sure what causes vertigo symptoms though. For people under 50, the most common cause is whiplash and head trauma.
Other potential causes include:
- Severe cold or virus
- Minor strokes
- Ototoxic medications
- Ear surgery
Symptoms of Vertigo
Cholesteatoma, a skin growth in the middle ear, sometimes results from repeated infections and can cause dizziness and other vertigo symptoms.
Doctors are not always sure what causes vertigo symptoms though. For people under 50, the most common cause is whiplash and head trauma.
Other potential causes include:
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Loss of balance
- Headache
- Sweating
- Ringing in ears
- Loss of hearing
Symptoms of vertigo may be a temporary issue or a long-term problem. Some people experience the symptoms most of the time, and others have short, intense episodes. However the symptoms appear, they can take a serious toll on your well-being and affect your work and social life.
Chiropractic Care for Vertigo
Vertigo often resolves on its own over time as your brain adapts to the changes in your inner ear. Even just a few days with the symptoms can be very unpleasant. Fortunately, there are treatments available.
Chiropractic manipulation can fix issues in the nervous system and restore your body’s balance. The treatment targets your joints to help with the alignment of your neck and spine, which can reduce feelings of dizziness.
The Epley maneuver is another popular treatment for vertigo that chiropractors can provide. The maneuver clears away the debris or calcium particles that form in the inner ear and cause vertigo. With specific movements and positions, you and your chiropractor can move the particles in the fluid of the inner ear to the vestibule of the ear, where they won’t affect your balance or cause dizziness.
Your chiropractor will assess your particular case of vertigo before moving you through a series of positions. This usually takes three or four treatments, and many people report that their symptoms are completely gone after a few appointments. Only about 15 percent of people have their symptoms recur.
If you’ve been experiencing the symptoms of vertigo, do not wait for the condition to go away on its own. Chiropractic care can eliminate your symptoms and allow you to go back to your normal life. Contact us at The Spine and Wellness Centers for a consultation.
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