Are You Dizzy?

Have you ever played that game as a kid (or even an adult...come on, you can admit it) where you lean forward, place your forehead on a baseball bat and walk around it in circles really fast? Then, once you are good and dizzy, you straighten up and try to walk. Funny isn't it...how you just can't seem to get where you want to go in a straight line and how "spinny" the world seems?

Well, now you have just a glimpse into the experience that people suffering with vertigo have. They experience the illusion of movement...either they feel they are moving or they feel that the world is moving around them. Either way, it is quite disconcerting. Additionally, they may experience nausea, sweating, headaches, vomiting and fatigue.

There are lots of of potential causes of vertigo including central and peripheral nervous system disorders, a wide variety of prescription and over the counter medications, diabetes, low blood sugar, head and neck traumas and food allergies/sensitivities. However, about 65% of vertigo is diagnosed as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) - a result of calcium debris in the inner ear (your body's balance sensory center). The exact cause of these debris in an individual is usually unknown but may be the result of season allergies, alcohol, nicotine, fried food and/or excessive salt intake.

Chiropractors are trained in appropriately diagnosing BPPV and effectively treating it using a procedure called the Epley Maneuver. Treatment involves moving the patient rapidly through certain positions to move the calcium debris to a less sensitive location in the inner ear. Studies Show that up to 80% of patients diagnosed with BPPV recover after a single treatment with Epley maneuver and most cases will respond to two or three treatments.

Treatment for other types of vertigo depend on the individual case and can include dietary changes and supplementation, ergonomic and lifestyle changes and specific exercises. Again, chiropractors are well trained in diagnosing the various types of vertigo and recommending the appropriate treatments. Always make sure you tell your chiropractor about all the symptoms you are having as some times dizziness that is actually related to a more serious disorder can be confused with simple vertigo. Red Flag symptoms include double vision, difficulty speaking, difficulty walking, difficulty waking up or staying awake, inappropriate actions, difficulty controlling arms or legs, abnormal eye movements. The presence of any of these along with vertigo should be presented immediately to the emergency room.

With the proper diagnosis and treatment, BPPV may actually be one of the fastest resolving conditions that a chiropractor treats you for.

(Information obtained from The Mystery of Vertigo; ACANews, October 2009. Pg 16)

Until Next time...Live Healthy.