Vertigo: Where to Turn for Help

Vertigo (from the Latin vertō "a whirling or spinning movement") is a type of dizziness, where there is a feeling of motion when one is stationary. The symptoms are due to a dysfunction of the vestibular system in the inner ear. It is often associated with nausea and vomiting as well as difficulties standing or walking. (source: Wikipedia)

There are several types of vertigo. One type is caused by debris in the canals of the inner ear and made worse by movement of the head (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo). Other causes include inflammation of the vestibular nerve (vestibular neuritis) and dysfunction of the joints in the neck (cervicogenic vertigo). There are still many other causes not mentioned here.

It’s important to rule out whether a disease is causing the symptoms. MRIs, CAT scans and other diagnostic tests are helpful in ruling out brain tumors and other diseases which can cause the symptoms.

What if the MRIs and other tests are unremarkable but you still have symptoms? This is a very common complaint. No concrete disease can be found, but the symptoms still persist. Unfortunately, in cases like these patients can get stuck on a merry-go-round of medications to mask the symptoms and travel from doctor to doctor only to be told “it’s psychological" or "you have too much stress in your life.”

Here’s what you should do if you have symptoms of vertigo and a disease process such as tumor, infection, etc. has been ruled out: Go to a health professional who specializes in this disorder and who is trained in assessing the function of the vestibular system and brain. A board-certified Chiropractic Neurologist can help you address and manage your vertigo, dizziness, or balance loss without the need for medication. Visit www.acnb.org to locate a Chiropractic Neurologist near you.

A professional trained in analyzing the function of the vestibular system can run a series of tests to evaluate how the system is working. For example, an ENG test can determine whether or not inner ear disease is the true cause of the patient's dizziness.

One of the most common causes of vertigo is something mentioned earlier called Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo or BPPV. In BPPV, a simple functional test can be performed called the Dix Hallpike test. If this test is positive, a procedure called the Epley maneuver can be performed which in many cases, can be very successful in correcting the cause of the vertigo. To learn more, check out the Vestibular Disorders Association.

Vertigo is a terrible disorder that can be treated. If you or someone you know is suffering, investigate and educate yourself to ensure proper evaluation and treatment.

Contact me at docbr2@yahoo.com or via phone 631 265 1223 to discuss your symptoms and to learn how to restore your health naturally.

--Dr. W. Brent Reynolds

A simple procedure for Dizziness/Vertigo

About 20% of all dizziness and 50% of all dizziness in older people is due to Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). The symptoms of BPPV include dizziness or vertigo (spinning), imbalance, nausea, or lightheadedness with movement of the head. Many patients will tell me that they simply rolled over in bed or leaned their heads back and began to experience dizziness. The symptoms can last for a long time or they can come and go in short durations. The most common cause is head trauma, but much of the time there is no known cause.

In BPPV, the dizziness is thought to be due to the collection of debris or calcium carbonate crystals which form a plug in the inner ear canals. The calcium plugs don’t allow for the normal movement of fluid in the inner ear and the result is the sensation of spinning. This can be terrifying to someone to say the least. Imagine spinning around several times and having that feeling 24 hours a day!

The solution for this particular type of vertigo can be very simple and effective. Basically a practitioner places an infrared camera over the patients’ eyes and leans them back with their head off the table. If the person has true BPPV, the eyes will jump back and forth (nystagmus). This test is called the Dix Hallpike test. The procedure to move the calcium out of the canal is called the Epely Maneuver and can be performed right then in the office. Basically, the practitioner brings the patient backwards with their head back and observes their eyes with the camera. The patient is then rolled to one side slowly while the practitioner watches the eyes. When the nystagmus is reduced, they are rolled further, finally to a seated position. The patient then has to be careful to not lean their head back farther than 45 degrees for about 48 hours. This is usually a small price to pay for the benefits of the canal repositioning. Research has shown that the Epley Maneuver/Canal Repositioning is effective in about 80% of people with BPPV (Herdman et al, 1993). Please check out this website that does a great job of explaining the cause and treatments for BPPV: http://www.tchain.com/otoneurology/disorders/bppv/bppv.html

Also, the Vestibular Disorders Association has a list of practitioners around the country who perform canal repositioning maneuvers and is a great resource for those suffering from dizziness/vertigo. www.vestibular.org.

~ Dr. Reynolds