Many patients make an appointment with our Charlevoix MI upper cervical chiropractic doctors each month to find long-term vertigo relief. This is because dealing with vertigo episodes often comes with many challenges, especially if it recurs regularly.
Do you also struggle with vertigo attacks? Do you know which type you have? Previously, we talked about the two main types of vertigo – peripheral and central – and their differences. In our discussion, we explained that central vertigo stems from a brainstem or brain issue. Peripheral, on one hand, results from an inner ear malfunction.
Our discussion below focuses on peripheral vertigo, affecting roughly 80 percent of patients who experience spinning sensations. Let’s get to know its common causes and how you can find a way to relieve them without using medication or even surgical remedies.
1. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
BPPV accounts for the majority of vertigo cases. It also happens to highly prevalent, affecting at least 107 out of 100,000 individuals. To diagnose this condition, doctors need to assess your medical history and overall health. They also need to note BPPV-specific symptoms like uncontrollable eye jerking or nystagmus and spinning sensations that get triggered when you make sudden head movements.
2. Vestibular Neuritis
Vestibular neuritis is the third most prevalent cause of peripheral vertigo. A great number of patients seeking the help of doctors and holistic care professionals like Charlevoix MI upper cervical chiropractic practitioners had a history of vestibular neuritis. It’s an infection that causes vestibular nerve inflammation. In most cases, the infection originates inside the inner ears. However, studies note that some patients diagnosed with vestibular neuritis had an infection in other parts of their body.
When the vestibular nerve becomes inflamed, it fails to deliver accurate information about your body’s orientation and movement. Consequently, this causes your brain to perceive false motion.
Not sure if you had (or have) a vestibular neuritis-induced vertigo episode? Here are some tell-tale signs of vestibular neuritis you should look out for:
- You experience episodes for days
- The spinning sensation can stretch for hours
- Besides vertigo attacks, you also notice auditory problems like tinnitus and temporary hearing loss.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
3. Labyrinthitis
Like vestibular neuritis, labyrinthitis also causes inflammation in the inner ear. Often, the condition stems from a viral infection like colds or flu. However, recent studies note that it could also arise from a bacterial infection. Below are the common symptoms that occur along with labyrinthitis:
- Vertigo attacks
- Hearing buzzing or ringing sounds in the affected ear
- Fluctuating hearing loss
As soon as the infection clears, the symptoms also tend to go away on their own. That’s why it’s crucial to have your condition checked right away so you can get the necessary prescription.
4. Meniere’s Disease
Doctors estimate that around 0.2 percent of the US population has Meniere’s disease. Although it’s not as prevalent as the other vestibular disorders we listed above, it remains one of the most debilitating peripheral vertigo causes. Some of its key symptoms include:
- Vertigo episodes – If you have Meniere’s, you will most likely deal with vertigo attacks that last for at least 20 minutes. This could cause severe disorientation, so you should find a cool place to rest and wait for the episode to pass.
- Loss of hearing – You might notice sudden hearing loss in one ear. At first, it could affect your ability to perceive low tones. However, as the condition progresses, it could cause also affect your ability to hear upper tones.
- Tinnitus – Just like labyrinthitis, Meniere’s also causes ringing in the ears. While it’s not exactly life-threatening, it could still distract you from doing chores or tasks. The loud buzzing noise can also bring you discomfort.
- Ear congestion – Abnormal buildup of fluid (endolymph) inside the ears is a distinguishing characteristic of Meniere’s. Typically, the fluid drains via the Eustachian tubes. However, if you suffer from neck bone subluxation, these tubes might get affected. The bone misalignment puts pressure on all nearby tissues, including the eustachian tubes.
5. Acoustic Neuroma
Acoustic neuroma, otherwise known as vestibular schwannoma, is a rare form of benign tumor in the inner ear. While it’s a non-cancerous formation, it can still impact the transmission of information from your brain to the rest of the body. As the tumor presses on the nerve roots, you experience worse symptoms, including tinnitus, vertigo attacks, and hearing loss.
As the tumor continues to grow, you might also struggle with the following:
- Keeping your balance
- Congestion inside the affected ear
- Facial numbness
- Swallowing food
- Headaches the frequently recur
- Confusion and impaired cognition
If you suspect having acoustic neuroma, you should get yourself examined by your physician right away. Early diagnosis is most important to the successful management of tumor growth.
Relieving Peripheral Vertigo with NUCCA Method
Peripheral vertigo can indeed cause significant problems in your life. Good thing, you can manage your episodes with natural remedies such as Charlevoix MI upper cervical chiropractic care.
Here at Ricks McClure Chiropractic, we provide our patients with NUCCA chiropractic adjustments to curb their vertigo symptoms. NUCCA is a gentle approach to relieving vertigo. Over the years, many patients have been seeking this remedy to take back their life before having peripheral vertigo attacks.
Essentially, the process involves making precise adjustments to correct neck bone misalignment. As you may have read before, the neck plays a pivotal role in sensing spatial orientation. This is because it encases the brainstem and facilitates the flow of fluids like blood and endolymph from the vestibular system inside the ears. If anything happens to the alignment of your neck bones, your brainstem and the brain’s fluid drainage function gets affected as well.
Contact Our Charlevoix MI Upper Cervical Chiropractic Doctor Today!
Have you been struggling with vertigo episodes that stem from an inner ear malfunction or disorders? Enjoy lasting vertigo relief with the help of Charlevoix MI upper cervical chiropractic. Contact us today at Ricks McClure Chiropractic for more information about our approach. You can also call at 231-227-4493. Alternatively, you can send a message about your inquiries through our contact page.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. McClure, call our Charlevoix office at 231-227-4493. 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.
