Vertigo, a sensation of feeling off-balance, is a symptom of various conditions, usually related to problems in the inner ear or brain. People experiencing vertigo may feel like they are spinning, tilting, swaying, or pulled to one direction. This sensation may be accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sweating, or difficulties walking. Vertigo can be classified into two primary types based on the underlying causes: central and peripheral.
Peripheral Vertigo
Peripheral vertigo is the most common type and is associated with issues in the peripheral vestibular system – the inner ear and the vestibulocochlear nerve (the eighth cranial nerve). The inner ear plays a crucial role in maintaining balance, and any disturbance in this system can lead to vertigo.
Causes of Peripheral Vertigo
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV): This condition occurs when tiny calcium particles clump up in the inner ear, causing brief episodes of mild to intense dizziness.
Meniere’s disease: This is an inner ear disorder thought to be caused by a buildup of fluid and changing pressure in the ear that can cause episodes of vertigo.
Vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis: These are inner ear problems usually caused by infection (often viral), inflammation causing dizziness and loss of balance.
Symptoms of Peripheral Vertigo
The symptoms often include a feeling of spinning, unsteadiness, loss of balance, nausea, vomiting, and a nystagmus (an abnormal rhythmic eye movement). The onset is usually sudden, and symptoms can be provoked or worsened by changes in the position of the head.
Central Vertigo
Central vertigo arises from problems in the central nervous system, particularly the brain, particularly the cerebellum, or the brainstem. The issues related to the brain could be transient, like in migraines, or more severe and long-lasting, as in cases of stroke or tumors.
Causes of Central Vertigo
Migraines: Some people may experience vertigo and other types of dizziness before or during migraines.
Multiple sclerosis: This is a disease of the nervous system; it might affect balance, leading to vertigo.
Acoustic neuroma: This benign growth on the nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain can cause vertigo.
Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA): Loss of blood supply to the brain can cause numerous symptoms, including vertigo.
Symptoms of Central Vertigo
Symptoms are often persistent and less predictable than those of peripheral vertigo. They may include difficulty swallowing, speech problems, difficulty coordinating movements, double vision, or even facial paralysis. Unlike peripheral vertigo, the symptoms are not typically provoked by changes in head position.
Vertigo can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, making it challenging to perform day-to-day activities due to impaired balance and an increased risk of falls. Therefore, it’s important to understand the two primary categories, peripheral and central vertigo, as their causes, symptoms, and treatments differ significantly.
Peripheral vertigo, stemming from the inner ear and vestibular nerve, is typically abrupt and can often be triggered or worsened by changes in head position. In contrast, central vertigo, originating in the brain, usually presents persistent and less predictable symptoms not associated with head movement.
Regardless of the type of vertigo, appropriate diagnosis and management are crucial. This process typically involves an examination, symptom history analysis, and imaging tests. Treatment then addresses the specific underlying cause.
Understanding the differences between central and peripheral vertigo can help patients navigate their symptoms and communicate more effectively with their healthcare providers. It can also provide a foundation for broader comprehension of the conditions that might be causing these disturbing sensations, leading to more targeted and effective treatment.
How We Treat Central and Peripheral Vertigo
Dr. Alex Bello of Los Angeles Upper Cervical excels in upper cervical care. He has a history of successfully treating numerous patients struggling with various conditions previously deemed “untreatable.” Such achievements have been possible due to chiropractic care, which emphasizes that proper spinal alignment can kickstart the body’s inherent healing processes, leading to overall health restoration.
Dr. Bello is proficient in the Blair Chiropractic Technique, a method demanding special training. Unlike traditional chiropractic methods that can involve sudden jolts and twists, Blair practitioners like Dr. Bello employ modern, gentle, and precise techniques.
Dr. Bello’s skill of a light touch is supported by the use of state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging technology to analyze the patient’s spine thoroughly. This in-depth understanding of the patient’s anatomy allows Dr. Bello to make refined adjustments even before physically interacting with the patient.
For those tormented by vertigo, why prolong the suffering? Upper cervical care presents a natural, non-invasive, and drug-free therapeutic alternative that has already liberated many patients from the debilitating impacts of vertigo episodes. Dr. Bello offers his services in Brentwood, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Westwood, Culver City, Marina Del Rey, West Los Angeles, and nearby areas.