Vertigo
By Declan Wise Chiropractor
Vertigo is felt as a sensation of whirling and loss of balance. If you suffer from this feeling it can sometimes make you feel like you are swaying or that the world around you is spinning. The most common conditions that cause vertigo are Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), Vestibular neuritis or Labyrinthitis, and Meniere’s Disease. Typical symptoms described are:
- Spinning
- Tilting
- Swaying
- Loss of balance
- Being Pulled to a direction.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is caused by tiny calcium particles that are dislodged from their normal position and fall into the inner ear. This stops messages of balance getting to the brain and causes vertigo when placing your head in the certain direction/position that blocks off your inner ear. Clinicians use the Dix Hallpike test to diagnose this condition. Vestibular neuritis or Labyrinthitis is an inner ear infection, causing inflammation of the inner ear that blocks nerves from carrying the signals of balance. Meniere’s disease is a inner ear disorder, commonly known to causes tinnitus (ringing of the ear) and hearing loss. This is caused by a build-up of fluid within the ear, affecting balance.
Other conditions that are less likely to cause vertigo are:
- Head or neck injury
- Stroke or tumor
- Migraine headaches
There are many different treatments including medication, vestibular rehabilitation and Eply’s maneuver. vestibular rehabilitation is used to help rebuild other pathways that help with controlling balance. The Epley’s maneuver is a technique that you can get done in the clinic or perform it at home. To perform this maneuver just follow these for steps below. This should only be performed after being diagnosed with the dix Hallpike test and being told that you have BPPV.
Step 1: Start sitting up on a bed, with your legs flat on the bed in front of you. Turn your head 45 degrees to the left.
Step 2: Lie down, keeping your head turned to the left. Wait 30 seconds.
Step 3: Turn your head to the right 90 degrees, until it’s facing 45 degrees to your right side. Wait 30 seconds.
Step 4: Roll over onto your right side before sitting up.
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