What is vertigo? Vertigo is generally defined as a true spinning or whirling sensation. It is a false sensation that leads the mind and body to believe that everything a person sees(and often the body itself) is in constant motion, when in reality, nothing is moving whatsoever. Vertigo is very similar to generalized dizziness, in that , it often comes from the sames primary and secondary sources in the body.
While many people who think of vertigo as a equilibrium disorder that strictly relates to inner ear dysfunction, vertigo can in fact derive from several other mechanisms inside the human body. The brain, the heart, the emotions, the neck/spine and even gluten allergies or other similar food intolerances can be direct and/or indirect causes of vertigo disorders. The key is to find a good doctor(such as an otoneurologist), a skilled chiropractor, and/or an educated doctor of holistic medicine. Proper diagnosis can be difficult, but is crucial to treatment and recovery.
Often times people who have severe cases of vertigo become disabled physically and emotionally. There is an extreme sense of panic when one continuously loses a strong sense of equilibrium on a continuous basis. This leads to(temporary) paralysis in movement and/or loss of coordination, impaired cognitive function, headaches, nausea, muscle weakness, breathing or respiratory issues, mood changes, motivational changes, and suicidal thoughts. In most cases vertigo is not a sign of an immediate danger. That being said, do not take its symptoms lightly. It can be a sign of serious long-term, non-immediate health issues such as brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, or poor blood pressure. The great majority of the time, the causes are not threatening at all. Those causes include anxiety, inner ear fluid, and headaches(though some severe headaches should be reported). This is why it is essential to find a good doctor, and to get a proper diagnosis.
Last but not least, how is vertigo treated? Vertigo can be treated in a number of ways. It all depends on the diagnosis. For example, if a patient is diagnosed with cervicogenic dizziness(dizziness stemming from the neck), they may be treated with vestibular therapy, physical therapy, or chiropractic(atlas orthagonal or manual adjustments). Other treatments include anti-epileptic drugs, blood pressure medications, antibiotics, dramamine/meclizine HCL, localized botox injections, nerve blocks, or in some cases, surgery.
As one can see, this is a highly complex disorder. It is a manifestation of both the mind and the body. If one is to get a proper diagnosis from a highly trained, caring individual with attentive ears and an open mind, then the prognosis for the future is very positive. If one is to get less then superior treatment, oftentimes, this disorder can last for months, or even years. The best medicine for this disorder is patience. This is a condition that will resolve itself with a little hard work on the patient’s part. Just hang in there…..or help someone who is.
