Care Options for Vertigo Sufferers in Portage, MI
A 35-year-old woman who has been experiencing bouts of vertigo for the past few months. At first, it was just a mild sensation of dizziness, but lately, it has gotten worse, to the point where you feel like you are spinning or the room is moving around you. The vertigo episodes are unpredictable and can happen at any time, making it difficult to do everyday activities like driving, working, or even walking.
You have gone to several doctors and specialists, but no one seems to be able to pinpoint the cause of your vertigo. You have tried medications and therapy, but nothing seems to help. You feel frustrated, scared, and helpless, as you are unable to control or predict when the vertigo will strike.
The vertigo has also taken a toll on your mental health. You feel anxious and depressed, as you are constantly worried about when the next episode will happen and how it will affect your life. You feel like you are missing out on important events and activities, and you worry that your condition will never improve.
Despite the challenges you are facing, you refuse to give up hope. You continue to search for answers and solutions, and you try to stay positive and resilient in the face of adversity.
This is a very common example of what I see in practice. Vertigo is a condition that falls under the category of vestibular disorders. The vestibular system is responsible for controlling your body's sense of balance and includes parts of the brain and inner ear. Some of the most common vertigo-causing vestibular disorders are benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Meniere's disease, and labyrinthitis.
When someone is experiencing vertigo attacks, for whatever reason, there are several avenues they can take to find some relief:
Dietary changes – The most commonly recommended change is limiting salt intake, which can help reduce the fluid volume and pressure in the inner ear.
Diuretics – These can help some people control vertigo by reducing the body's ability to retain fluids.
Medications – Several prescription medications are used to try and reduce dizziness and attempt to shorten the attack.
Injections – Antibiotic injections are sometimes administered into the middle ear to help control vertigo.
Surgery - The nerves are cut in a last ditch effort to get rid of the spinning sensation.
Upper cervical chiropractic, very effective but not within the ENT's protocol – Addressing misalignments of the uppermost vertebrae in the neck can help to restore normal brain-body communication, which can lead to a lasting solution to vertigo.
More About Vertigo and Your Spine
Upper cervical chiropractic care can help vertigo by addressing misalignments in the upper cervical spine, which can affect the vestibular system, a key system responsible for balance and spatial orientation.
The vestibular system includes the inner ear, which contains tiny hair cells that detect the movement and position of the head. These signals are then transmitted to the brainstem and the cerebellum, which interpret the information and send commands to the muscles that control eye movements and balance.
When there is a misalignment in the upper cervical spine, it can cause pressure or irritation on the nerves that connect to the vestibular system. This can disrupt the signals being sent to the brain, leading to symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and vertigo.
Upper cervical chiropractic care involves gentle, precise adjustments to the cervical spine, which is the neck. By correcting misalignments in these bones, I can help relieve pressure on the nerves and improve the function of the vestibular system.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Warner call the Portage, MI office at 269-366-4146 or you can select the button to schedule an appointment to start care or for a telephone consult.
