Vertigo is described as a spinning sensation. You may feel as if you are moving or the environment around you may appear to be moving. To be true vertigo, there always has to be a rotational component to it. Children actually like to create the sensation of vertigo by spinning around and around until they feel dizzy. This is called self-induced vertigo and only lasts for a few seconds. As an adult, vertigo is not so much fun. It often comes on suddenly and unexpectedly and may last for many hours or days.

Sound waves travel through the outer ear canal to the eardrum. At this point, they are turned into vibrations and transmitted through the inner ear by three small bones -- the incus, the stapes, and the malleus. This passes on to the vestibular nerve and then to the brain. The semicircular canals have an important role in the inner ear as well. They are positioned at right angles to each other and are lined with sensitive cells. This provides instant feedback to the brain about the location and position of your body.

What Are Some Common Causes of Vertigo?

Vertigo is diagnosed as either central or peripheral depending on what the cause is. Central vertigo comes about due to a problem with the brain or spinal cord. Peripheral vertigo has to do with a problem of the inner ear. Here are some reasons vertigo may come about:

• Labyrinthitis is an inflammation of the inner ear and the vestibulocochlear nerve that is known for encoding the movement and position of the head. It is often due to a viral infection.
• Vestibular neuronitis is related closely to labyrinthitis and is also due to inflammation.
• Cholesteatoma is a growth that happens in the middle ear and is usually related to repeated infection. If the growth becomes too large, it can damage the ear and cause hearing loss and vertigo.
• Meniere’s disease is a buildup of fluid in the inner ear that causes not only vertigo but also tinnitus (ringing in the ear)  and hearing loss. It is most commonly seen in the age range of 40 to 60 years. It is estimated that 615,000 people in the US are currently diagnosed with Meniere’s. It may be brought about by blood vessel constriction, a virus, or an autoimmune reaction.
• BBPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) is thought to come from a disturbance in the otolith particles of the ear. These crystals of calcium carbonate are located in the inner ear fluid (endolymph fluid) and touch the sensory hair cells inside the semicircular canals when you move. The vestibular nerve is then stimulated and sends signals to the brain about your position in your environment. The problem with BPPV is the endolymph fluid continues to move after the head has stopped moving, due to the crystals being in the wrong place.

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.

In addition to these common causes of vertigo, there is a long list of other contributors to vertigo:

• Migraines
• Head or neck trauma or injury
• Certain medications
• Staying in bed for long periods of time
• The herpes zoster oticus, an acute viral infection of shingles located close to the ear and affecting the facial nerve (also called Ramsay Hunt syndrome)
• Ear surgery
• A tear in one or both of the membranes separating the middle and inner ear, leading to leakage of inner ear fluid into the middle ear, called a perilymphatic fistula
• Syphilis
• A transient ischemic attack
• A stroke
• Otosclerosis -- a problem with the middle ear bone causing hearing loss
• Multiple sclerosis
• Side effects of drug or medication toxicity
• A tumor, stroke, or other cerebellar or brainstem disease
• An acoustic neuroma -- a benign growth on the vestibular nerve that runs between the inner ear and the brain

Reducing Injury from Vertigo

There are a few things you may be able to do at home to reduce the impact of vertigo.

• Lifestyle changes:
  • Sit down as soon as you begin to feel dizzy.
  • Use good lighting when you get up at nighttime.
  • Use a cane to help you keep your sense of balance and prevent serious injuries from a fall.
  • If you know a particular movement has caused dizziness in the past, do it slowly and cautiously.

A Natural Solution for Vertigo

There has been an interesting connection seen between vertigo and a misaligned vertebra in the upper cervical spine. The spinal column was created to provide the spinal cord with proper protection. The spinal cord and brainstem are responsible for carrying signals to and from the brain and body. This includes vital information about body position and balance. If the uppermost bone of the spine, the atlas or C1 vertebra, misaligns, it can lead to a number of problems in the body. For one thing, the signals going to the brain may become distorted. If the brainstem tells the brain the body is moving when it is not, vertigo can be the end result.

Here at Precision Spine Specialists in Brentwood, Tennessee, we focus on making sure your atlas is in proper alignment. Even a misalignment as small as ¼ of a millimeter can wreak havoc on the entire body. We use a method that is gentle and precise to realign the vertebrae. This technique does not require us to pop or crack the neck or spine to get positive results. It is a natural way to encourage the bones to move back into place, leading to a longer-lasting adjustment and a reduction in or elimination of the symptoms of vertigo.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Hall, call our Brentwood office at 615-488-7891 or just 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