Vertigo and dizziness are often used interchangeably when describing a particular feeling. While the two are related and may have a similar origin, they are different when it comes to symptoms. Describing to your doctor exactly what you are feeling, rather than simply using the terms dizziness or vertigo, can get you the proper care that is needed. Let’s see what these two conditions are and how to find natural, long-lasting help.

Dizziness is feeling lightheaded, off balance, or woozy. It affects the eyes and ears and other sensory organs. This means that some people may faint if they feel dizzy. Dizziness is not a disease, it is a symptom of various other conditions.

Vertigo and disequilibrium can cause you to feel dizzy. However, these are two separate symptoms as well. Disequilibrium is a loss of balance and, particularly, an issue with walking. People often feel unsteady on their feet or like they are about to fall. Vertigo is known for a spinning sensation as if the room is moving. It can feel like you are leaning to one side or as if you have motion sickness.

True dizziness is linked to feeling as if you are going to faint or actually fainting. It is quite common and usually the underlying cause is not serious if it happens occasionally. However, if you are experiencing repeated episodes of dizziness for no particular reason, it is a good idea to seek help from a doctor so as to find out what the underlying cause is.

 

Why Do Vertigo and Dizziness Happen?

Some reasons that dizziness happen can be linked to migraines, alcohol, and certain medications. A problem may exist in the inner ear where balance is regulated.

Oddly enough, dizziness can be the result of vertigo. Vertigo most commonly occurs due to BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo). This causes someone to feel dizzy short-term when they move their head too quickly or sit up after lying down in bed.

Meniere’s disease is also a trigger for dizziness and vertigo. Meniere’s has been connected to an overabundance of fluid accumulating in the inner ear leading to a feeling of congestion, tinnitus (ringing in the ear), or hearing loss.

An acoustic neuroma, a noncancerous growth on the nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain, is another reason for dizziness and vertigo.

Some other reasons you may experience dizziness and vertigo are:

  • Heart muscle disease
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Ear infections
  • Dehydration
  • A sudden drop in blood pressure
  • Low blood volume
  • Motion sickness
  • Too much exercise all at once
  • Anemia (low iron)
  • Heat stroke
  • Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • A malignant tumor

 

Should You Seek a Doctor’s Care?

You should see a doctor if you have continual bouts of dizziness and especially if you have one of the following:

  • A neck ache
  • A high fever
  • Blurry vision
  • Trouble speaking
  • A headache
  • Numbness or tingling
  • A head injury
  • Hearing loss
  • Continual vomiting
  • Chest pain
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Drooping of mouth or eye

 

Who Gets Vertigo and Dizziness?

Vertigo and dizziness do not discriminate. Anyone at any time can find themselves feeling that spinning sensation or feeling as if they may pass out. It doesn’t matter how physically fit you are or how active you might be. For example, Stephen Drew, second baseman for the Yankees, had a serious bout of dizziness back in 2015. He underwent a precautionary impact test to find out whether he had suffered a concussion in a 2013 beaning with a baseball and another hit in the face just before the onset of his dizziness. However, he was sure his dizziness and equilibrium problems stemmed from a recent head cold. Dizziness can affect anyone, and it takes some investigation to determine the cause and how to properly care for it.

 

Caring for Vertigo and Dizziness

In many cases, home remedies can help with dizziness and vertigo. Sometimes professional assistance is called for. Here are some common ways to care for these conditions:

  • Inner ear issues can be helped by at-home exercises to help control balance.
  • Meniere’s disease can be eased by following a low-salt diet.
  • BPPV can be alleviated by using certain maneuvers to realign the crystals in the ear.
  • Migraines can be helped by identifying and avoiding triggers.
  • Anxiety can be helped with relaxation techniques and stress management.
  • Combat dehydration by drinking plenty of fluids while in the heat and during exercise. Fluids also help flush the system of toxins.

 

Vertigo Relief Odessa MO

Alleviating Vertigo and Dizziness with Proper Spinal Care

One reason we haven’t discussed yet for dizziness and vertigo can be connected to a small misalignment in the bones of the upper cervical spine. The C1 and C2 vertebrae are located in the same area as the brainstem and act as a protector of it and the spinal cord. So, if you endure any type of blow to the head — such as Stephen Drew being beaned by a baseball — these bones can move out of alignment. It only takes a misalignment of ¼ of a millimeter to put stress on the brainstem and cause it to send improper signals to the brain about the body’s location. This confuses the brain because of the signals it is receiving from other sensory inputs throughout the body, and the end result is vertigo or dizziness.

To correct this problem we, as upper cervical chiropractors, begin by using imagining and measurements to find the exact location of the misaligned bone. We then employ a method that is gentle and does not require us to pop or crack the neck or back. Rather, we encourage the bones to reposition themselves naturally so as to stay in place longer than if we were forcing them. Our patients and those in case studies often seen results after only a few visits. Some see their vertigo and dizziness go away and not return.

 

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Kesemann, call our Odessa office at 816-608-5786. 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.