One of the most prevalent causes of vertigo is a condition called BPPV. Vertigo can be a very alarming experience in which you have the false sensation that you are spinning or that your surroundings are spinning. With BPPV being as common as it is, bringing clarity on some of the most frequently asked questions about the condition can help you find the right options for you to get relief. Question #1: What does the acronym BPPV mean? BPPV is an abbreviation that stands for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. This may seem like a complicated, lengthy title, but it is fairly simple to understand once each word is broken down: Benign – Even though BPPV symptoms can be intense, the leading term benign specifies that it is not life-threatening. Paroxysmal – This is a reference to the frequency of this condition. The way that episodes of BPPV tend to happen is in short, sudden waves. Positional – For BPPV sufferers, certain head positions or movements are what trigger an episode. Vertigo – The primary symptom of BPPV is vertigo, which is a false sensation of spinning. Question #2: Why does BPPV happen? BPPV is a condition that originates in your inner ear, where there are crystals of calcium carbonate called otoconia that have the important function of helping your body sense motion and keep your balance. Usually otoconia stay embedded in a part of the inner ear called the utricle. But in cases of BPPV, these crystals get dislodged and then travel to one of the fluid-filled canals where they should not be. The normal movement of this fluid, called endolymph, provides the brain with information on the way that your body is positioned in space. When the migrating crystals disrupt the normal movement of endolymph, it can lead to the sending of inaccurate signals to the brain and cause vertigo episodes. The simple act of rolling over in bed can be the trigger for someone who has BPPV. To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo download our complimentary e-book How to Naturally Relieve Vertigo without Drugs by clicking the image below. Question #3: How prevalent is BPPV? Approximately 2.4 percent of people will have a bout of BPPV sometime in their life. It is more common in adults, especially in seniors. It is very rare for children to experience BPPV. For most cases of BPPV there is no clear cause; however, there have been some connections made to migraines, trauma, and inner ear infections. Question #4: What symptoms are the most common for BPPV sufferers Above all else, the most common and extreme symptom of BPPV are severe vertigo episodes. The suddenness of some vertigo episodes can cause a person to fall to the floor, giving them the name "drop attacks". The whirling or spinning sensations that commonly come with the vertigo episodes cause many BPPV sufferers to experience nausea or vomiting as well. Losing your balance or feeling unsteady on your feet are also associated with this condition. BPPV symptoms can be very intense and can last from just a few seconds to several minutes or more. After the most intense part of the episode has passed, residual dizziness and instability may continue. Generally, the first vertigo BPPV attack is the worst and the ones that follow are milder. Question #5: How does the Epley maneuver help someone with BPPV? One of the more popular treatments suggested is the Epley maneuver. This is a series of specific head movements that use ranges of motion to help guide the loose calcium crystals back to where they should be. These maneuvers can be successful in relieving BPPV symptoms, depending on where the calcium crystals are located. Getting the guidance of a healthcare provider that is well trained in assisting with this condition is recommended to ensure you are performing the treatment accurately and to check if there are other underlying health factors. Question #6: What role can Upper Cervical Chiropractic play in treating vertigo symptoms? More and more people who suffer from vertigo have found relief by seeking the help of a special niche within the chiropractic profession. Upper cervical chiropractic care specifically focuses on the uppermost vertebrae in the spine, ensuring their proper positioning and spinal health. A misalignment of the upper cervical spine can have a domino effect of implications on your body's ability to function normally. Here is why this area of the spine is relevant to those who have vertigo: The upper cervical spine is located very close to the inner ear, which means a misalignment of the atlas can change the way that the inner ear functions and communicates with the brain by sending inaccurate signals on how your body is positioned in space. The atlas (C1) and axis (C2) vertebrae that make up the upper cervical spine house and protect the brainstem. This puts the brainstem in a very vulnerable place if these vertebrae do misalign, which would disrupt its primary function of sorting and integrating the information received about your body’s position. This can cause dysfunctions in your brain’s ability to respond properly to your body’s positioning and affect your ability to maintain your sense of balance. An atlas misalignment can alter the way the inner ear functions and it can even irritate the brainstem, leading to abnormal messaging. The goal of our practice is to identify if the atlas is misaligned and to follow with an appropriate, gentle adjustment so it returns to its normal position. After the atlas is aligned, your body's normal functions are restored naturally over time. The longer the corrected alignment holds, the better your body can function, heal, and remain in proper function. With upper cervical care, adjustments are only given when necessary, making it a natural, non-invasive, non-painful way to obtain long-lasting relief from vertigo and other related symptoms. References: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vertigo/symptoms-causes/syc-20370055 http://vestibular.org/understanding-vestibular-disorders/types-vestibular-disorders/benign-paroxysmal-positional-vertigo To schedule a complimentary NUCCA consultation call 248-652-7225 or just 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

Dizzy Archives - Balanced Living Chiropractic

Feeling dizzy? Learn more about how Balanced Living Chiropractic in Rochester Hills can help provide relief to those suffering with dizziness and vertigo.

Understanding the Body’s Balance System and Motor Output

As veteran MI vertigo doctors, we’ve seen how the balance system connects to overall motor output. When you’re balanced, you’re able to maintain the body’s center of mass over its base of support. Achieving balance is impossible without the help of a complex system involving the touch, movement, and motor input to the brain and [...]

admin2019-11-04T03:01:19-04:00November 3rd, 2019|Vertigo/Dizziness/Menieres|

Shutting Down Five Misconceptions About Vertigo

Many people experience vertigo, yet it remains a puzzling subject for most. As a vertigo chiropractic doctor in MI, I want to clear up some common misunderstandings about vertigo. With a proper understanding of vertigo, it’s easier to come up with solutions to address not just the symptoms but the underlying cause itself. Listed below [...]

admin2019-08-04T22:40:33-04:00August 4th, 2019|Vertigo/Dizziness/Menieres|

Vertigo, Dizziness, or Disequilibrium: How They Differ

Disequilibrium, dizziness, and vertigo are three of the top reasons people go to the doctor. These symptoms are experienced if you have one of the following conditions: A peripheral vestibular disorder: A problem in the balance organs of the inner ear or vestibular system A central vestibular disorder: A problem in one or more parts [...]

admin2019-07-02T06:29:16-04:00May 5th, 2019|Vertigo/Dizziness/Menieres|

The Facts About BPPV

One of the most prevalent causes of vertigo is a condition called BPPV. Vertigo can be a very alarming experience in which you have the false sensation that you are spinning or that your surroundings are spinning. With BPPV being as common as it is, bringing clarity on some of the most frequently asked questions [...]

admin2019-02-04T03:40:23-04:00February 3rd, 2019|Vertigo/Dizziness/Menieres|

Meniere’s Disease: The Underlying Cause Discovered!

Meniere’s disease is a chronic disorder of the inner ear or vestibular system. It is thought to be a form of endolymphatic hydrops having specific symptoms due to abnormally large amounts of fluid, called endolymph, in the inner ear. The symptoms associated with this disorder are: Vertigo - the sensation that you or the things [...]

admin2018-11-01T06:43:45-04:00November 4th, 2018|Vertigo/Dizziness/Menieres|

What Is Vertigo? Is It the Same as Dizziness and Disequilibrium?

You may have heard the term vertigo and wondered exactly what it is. Is it fear of heights as portrayed in a popular movie decades ago? Or is it feeling a little dizzy and off balance? Is there more to vertigo? Vertigo, along with dizziness and disequilibrium, is among the most common reasons people visit [...]

admin2018-08-02T01:35:44-04:00August 5th, 2018|Vertigo/Dizziness/Menieres|

Getting to the Underlying Cause of Meniere’s Disease

Meniere’s disease was first identified by Prosper Meniere in the early 1800’s. He recognized the problem causing the symptoms of this disease had to do with the ear, not the brain, as was a popular belief at the time. Meniere’s disease is a condition of the inner ear that is known for the following: Feeling [...]

admin2018-06-25T22:11:24-04:00April 1st, 2018|Vertigo/Dizziness/Menieres|

Vertigo: Understanding Why It Occurs and What To Do for It

Vertigo is a medical condition in which you feel as if you or the objects around you are moving when they are actually standing still. It has been defined as a spinning or swaying sensation. It is often accompanied by: Nausea Vomiting Sweating Problems walking Intensifying sensation when moving the head Understanding Vertigo In order [...]

admin2018-09-18T20:26:20-04:00December 3rd, 2017|Vertigo/Dizziness/Menieres|

The Spinning Sensation of Vertigo Helped in Rochester Hills, MI

Vertigo is described as the sensation that you or the things around you are spinning. If you have ever moved your head too fast and all of a sudden felt dizzy and nauseated, you have experienced vertigo. This condition occurs when the inner ear is hindered from sending the proper signals to the brain about [...]

admin2018-06-25T21:59:40-04:00August 6th, 2017|Uncategorized|

How Head Injuries Lead to Vertigo

Defining vertigo can be confusing as many people think of the popular movie title suggesting that it is a fear of heights. The proper definition of vertigo is a sensation of movement causing one to feel as if he is spinning or swaying or that the room and things around him are moving when there [...]

admin2018-06-25T22:29:29-04:00July 9th, 2017|Vertigo/Dizziness/Menieres|

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