For many people, the word vertigo conjures up images of a not-so-distant relative clutching the arms of her chair as she rocks back and forth, moaning. Some might even refer to a scene from Alfred Hitchcock's 1958 thriller Vertigo, in which Kim Novak's character is consumed by her fear of heights. But what is vertigo? And who is most susceptible to it? Does a person's sexual orientation increase their chances of experiencing vertigo episodes?
Patients looking for vertigo relief in Edmonton are no strangers to its debilitating symptoms that can be both uncomfortable and dangerous. When vertigo hits, your world can suddenly start spinning, putting you at risk of falls or losing your balance. Vertigo is a false sensation that makes you or your surroundings spin or move when no movement occurs. It is often described as feeling like you are on a merry-go-round or roller coaster that has suddenly stopped. Many people experience vertigo at some point in their lives, and it can be caused by many things, such as inner ear infections, head injuries, migraines, and even stress.
While vertigo can affect an extensive group of individuals, experts believe that women experience vertigo attacks more frequently and severely than their male counterparts. Experts are considering hormonal fluctuations in women, especially for those who approach menopausal age, as one of the leading reasons women become more susceptible to vertigo.
When a woman approaches menopause, her body undergoes a series of changes. The menopausal period is also the time when a woman's body begins to produce less estrogen, a hormone that aids in several processes, including:
During the menopausal stage, when estrogen slowly gets depleted, women can become more susceptible to vertigo attacks. This stage can also cause worse effects on the body because of the abovementioned changes.
First, we must clarify that while other symptoms can accompany vertigo, it is actually a symptom on its own that can signify an underlying condition. Here are the most common accompanying symptoms of vertigo:
These symptoms can be so severe for some people who have trouble walking or standing up.
Aging can be one of the most significant risk factors for vertigo. When a person gets old, body parts, including the vestibular system, start to wear out or malfunction. This system consists of the group of organs inside the inner ear that helps the brain perceive movement and changes in balance.
Age is also why many elderly patients develop and are diagnosed with conditions that bring vertigo symptoms, such as BPPV or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Unfortunately, due to weakened muscles and joints, there is an increase in injuries due to spinning sensations.
People aged 50 and up who experience frequent vertigo attacks are advised to be extra careful whenever a vertigo episode arises. Avoid doing physical activities once you start noticing some of your symptoms.
A visit to the emergency room due to vertigo is unnecessary unless it leads to unwanted injuries or accidents. As mentioned, vertigo is not an illness per se but a symptom of an underlying condition. Some known health conditions that lead to vertigo are:
Vertigo can sometimes be a warning sign of an impending heart attack or stroke. Epileptic seizures, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and spinal or brain tumors can also trigger an onset of vertigo.
Suppose you're one of the patients with pre-existing problems in your nervous system or cardiovascular system. In that case, you may need to consult further with your physician to find the best way to achieve vertigo relief in Edmonton.
Your neck is a sensitive part housing nerve roots and the brainstem. Due to its location and function, it becomes highly susceptible to bone alignment shifting or subluxation. In addition, the neck is flexible enough to assist you in looking in different directions, and this function can gradually change the neck bones' misalignments, especially when pressure is applied.
Injuries or accidents such as whiplash, concussion, or blunt trauma to the neck can increase your chances of developing misalignments in the neck bones. Unfortunately, neck bone misalignments put you at risk of developing all sorts of health mishaps, including spinning sensations. If you endured neck trauma before vertigo episodes, mention the details to your healthcare provider. This is vital information to help you find efficient vertigo relief in Edmonton.
Misalignments in the neck can make the bones lean onto the nerve roots or brainstem, causing them to misfire signals to the brain. These incorrect brain signals can lead to poor fluid drainage, a problem that triggers worse vertigo attacks for Meniere's patients.
It's not uncommon for vertigo patients to previously suffer from neck injuries or trauma. As a result, it's become one of the common factors that upper cervical chiropractic doctors observe when attending to their ailing patients.
While there is no cure for vertigo specifically, there are known ways to ease your symptoms, such as upper cervical chiropractic care. Upper cervical chiropractors focus on keeping the alignment and balance of the top two vertebrae in the neck - the atlas and axis. These bones can get misaligned following a traumatic event like a car accident that hurt the neck or head. Consequently, the misalignment can disrupt blood flow and communication between the brain and body and lead to various health problems, including vertigo.
Upper cervical chiropractic adjustments are gentle and well tolerated by most patients. The adjustments often provide lasting relief for many people suffering from chronic vertigo episodes. If vertigo episodes interfere with your life, get your upper cervical spine checked. Consult with the reputable and certified team of chiropractic doctors from Symmetry Spinal Care. To book your appointment, call (587) 608-5538 or use the online contact form.
Caring for your upper cervical spine is just as important as any other body part; get yours checked today!
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Schmaus, call our Edmonton office at 780-462-0447. 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.
