Feeling Dizzy? You Don’t Have to Live With It!

How many of you know someone who suffers from being dizzy? It seems to hit and then disappear, but never fully goes away. It can be debilitating. You can’t go to work or take care of their kids. It takes you out of your usual routine for a couple days to a week. Majority of the time this is known as vertigo, a vestibular diagnosis. Today, I’ll explain what vertigo is and explain the different types. In my following post, I will discuss the different treatment options available. Hint…it can be treated by a physical therapist!

Anatomy Of The Inner Ear

The ear is broken down into 3 sections; outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear. We will be talking the most about the inner ear as it relates to vertigo. The inner ear is broken down into two main parts. The cochlea, which is the hearing portion, and the semicircular canals, which is the balance portion.

The cochlea is shaped like a snail and is divided into two chambers by a membrane. The chambers are full of fluid which vibrates when sound comes in and causes the small hairs which line the membrane to vibrate and send electrical impulses to the brain.

The semi-circular clans are also known as the labyrinthine. These canals are lined up at right angels (90 degrees) to each other. This allows the brain to know in which direction the head is moving. These canals are filled with fluid and have small calcium crystals embedded in the lining.

The inner ear has two cranial nerves that carry information from the ear to the brain. The 8th cranial nerve, vestibulocochlear nerve, it carries both balance and hearing information to the brain. The 7th cranial nerve, facial nerve, supplies nerve impulses to the muscles of the face.

The outer ear captures sound waves. The sound then travels down the ear canal and hits the ear drum. The ear drum vibrates which causes the ossicles (middle ear bones) to vibrate. A piston action of the ossicles creates a wave in the fluid in the inner ear. The fluid wave stimulates the hair cells in the cochlea and an electrical impulse is sent through the 8th cranial nerve to the brain.

The balance system works by sending continuous electrical impulses to the brain. Moving the head causes the fluid in the semi-circular canals to shift. This in turn changes the electrical impulses to the brain. The brain uses this information to make any adjustments the body needs for balance.

Types of Vertigo – Peripheral vs Central

Peripheral Vertigo – Most common type of vertigo – Majority caused by a problem in the inner ear – The most common causes are Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BBPV), vestibular neuronitis, and Meniere’s disease.

BBPV – Condition that causes small crystals to get loose and start to float in the fluid of your inner ear – Movement of the crystals and the fluid leads you to feel dizzy – Typically occurs when changing positions; getting out of bed, etc

Vestibular Neuronitis – Causes severe dizziness that comes on suddenly and lasts for 2 to 3 weeks – Doctors believe that it can be related to an infection and/or virus

Meniere’s Disease – Condition that combines symptoms of dizziness with occasional hearing loss – Not exactly sure what causes it, although stress has been linked to a trigger, along with eating salt or drinking caffeine and alcohol

Symptoms of Peripheral Vertigo – Nausea and vomiting – Sweating – Ear problems – If caused by infection, you may have pain or a feeling of fullness in your ear – Hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in ears) – Starts and stops without warning – Your eyes may also move without your control – Eye movement is calmed when asked to focus on a fixed point Central Vertigo – Caused by a disease or injury to the brain – Head injuries – Illness or infection – Multiple Sclerosis – Migraines – Brain tumors – Strokes – Transient ischemic attacks (“mini” strokes or TIA)

Symptoms of Central Vertigo – Comes without warning and may last for longer periods of time – Episodes are generally much more intense than peripheral – May be unable to stand or walk without help – Eye movements lasts longer (weeks to months) – Eye movement does not go away when you are asked to focus on a fixed point – Headaches – Weakness – Trouble swallowing

I know that was a lot of information, but it gives you an idea of just how complex our inner ear is and how it needs to function properly in order to keep us upright.

Friday find out you don’t have to live with vertigo, there are treatment options available to you!

Disclaimer: I am in no way diagnosing anyone, if you have persistent pain you need to call your local physical therapist and schedule an appointment.