Vertigo

It is not uncommon to get dizzy when you stand up quickly. This often occurs due to low blood pressure. For most people, it happens every so often. However, if you often get dizzy spells or a sensation of feeling off balance whether you are sitting, standing, or lying down, you could be suffering from vertigo.

What Are the Causes of Vertigo?

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV): The most common causes of this type of vertigo are trauma to either the head or the ear. 
• Meniere's disease: This is an inner ear disorder related to a buildup of fluid or inflammation in the ear and affects balance.
• Labyrinthitis: This is a viral infection of the inner ear.
• Head or neck injury
• Brain issues such as a stroke or a traumatic brain injury
• Migraine headaches

What Are the Symptoms of Vertigo?

Vertigo can cause a number of symptoms. For some people, the symptoms are minor. For others, the symptoms can be debilitating. The cause of your vertigo has a lot to do with the severity of your symptoms. The symptoms can last for just a few minutes to an entire day. In most cases, the symptoms come and go.

• Feeling like you are spinning, swaying, or tilting
• An unbalanced feeling
• Feeling as though you are being pulled in one direction
• Feeling nauseous
• Vomiting
• Headaches
• Abnormal eye movements
• Excessive sweating
• Ringing in the ears
• Hearing loss

How Is Vertigo Treated?

There are a few different treatments available for vertigo. The treatment would depend on the cause of the condition.

• Vestibular rehab: this is a type of physical therapy that will strengthen your vestibular system.
• Medication: Medication can treat nausea and vomiting associated with vertigo. If the condition was caused by an infection or an inflammation, steroids, or antibiotics could be used. If the cause is Meniere's disease, water pills can be prescribed to reduce the fluid buildup in the ear. When the pressure is reduced, the symptoms should subside.
• Chiropractic care: If your vertigo is being caused by a head injury, a neck injury, or migraine headaches, a chiropractor can help.
• Surgery: In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to treat the condition.

Contact Your San Francisco Chiropractor 

Vertigo can make everyday activities difficult. If you are suffering from Vertigo, schedule an appointment with The Balanced Atlas in San Francisco. During your initial consultation, our chiropractor will perform a complete exam to determine the cause of your condition. Next, we will create a treatment plan that can help reduce the frequency and the severity of your episodes. In time, we will have you free of your symptoms completely. Call us today at (415) 242-1472.