Dizziness: What can cause it?

Have you ever experienced dizziness and wondered what could be the cause? It can be a frustrating experience not knowing what is causing this instability, but there are several potential causes of dizziness. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the four most common causes of dizziness and how they affect our bodies. Keep reading to learn more about what can cause dizziness and how to identify the problem.

Dizziness and the neck: How the neck can affect your balance

Our neck plays an important role in maintaining our balance. The neck is made up of seven vertebrae and associated muscles, tendons and ligaments, which work together to move and protect our neck. When a fault occurs in one or more of these systems, the signals sent to the brain and inner ear can be disrupted, which can lead to dizziness.

Some examples of how the neck can affect our balance include reduced movement between vertebrae, punctured cushions/disc in the neck, wear and tear and whiplash. These issues can cause the signals sent from the neck to the brain and inner ear to be interrupted or disrupted, which can lead to dizziness.

Inner ear and dizziness: Common causes and symptoms

The inner ear also plays an important role in our balance. It consists of six archways, four otoliths and two cochleae, which send signals to the brain about how we move. If one or more of these systems are not functioning optimally, it can lead to dizziness.

Crystal sickness, also known as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), is a common cause of dizziness originating in the inner ear. This type of vertigo is often rotatory and movement-related in nature, and can be very severe and distressing for those who experience it. Other types of inner ear vertigo can produce a more constant uncomfortable rocking sensation, nautical or rocking.

Eye motor function and dizziness: What you need to know

The eyes also play an important role in maintaining our balance. They help us see and navigate around the world, and if our eye motor function is not working properly, it can lead to dizziness. Minor visual disturbances such as impaired gaze fixation or choppy eye movements can result in brain fog and unsteadiness, and in some cases can lead to dizziness.

Concussion is another cause of dizziness that can affect our eye motor function by loosening crystals in the inner ear. When the brain is shaken inside the skull, it can cause our eyes to be unable to focus and follow our movements as they usually do. This can result in dizziness, nausea and other symptoms.

Dizziness and blood circulation: What happens when your blood pressure drops

Blood circulation also plays an important role in maintaining our balance. When our blood pressure drops, it can lead to dizziness and fainting. This can happen when standing up from a lying or sitting position and may be related to changes in the autonomic nervous system. Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a condition where our heart rate rises when we stand up from a lying or sitting position, and can lead to dizziness, fatigue and other symptoms.

How to identify the cause of your dizziness: Tips and tricks

If you experience dizziness, it can be difficult to know what is causing it. It's important to identify the cause of your dizziness so you can get the right treatment. Here are some tips and tricks to help you identify the cause of your dizziness:

1. Keep a diary of your symptoms. Write down when you experience dizziness, what you do at that time, and what you eat and drink.
2. Talk to a specialist. The specialist can perform a number of tests to see if there is an underlying medical condition causing your dizziness.
3. Think back to previous situations where you have experienced dizziness. What were you about to do? Where were you? This can help you identify triggers for your dizziness.
4. Assess your lifestyle. Are you exposed to a lot of stress? Do you eat a balanced diet? Do you have an adequate amount of sleep? Making changes to your lifestyle can help you reduce dizziness.
5. WARNING: If you experience sudden dizziness, chest pain or shortness of breath, you should seek immediate medical attention. Also, if you have other symptoms along with the dizziness, such as numbness in the face or body, weakness in the arm or leg or difficulty expressing yourself verbally, these symptoms may be signs of serious medical conditions such as a heart attack or stroke. It's better to be safe than sorry and get it checked by a qualified professional.

Can dizziness be treated?

If you are experiencing dizziness, you may want to see a neuro-chiropractor. A neuro-chiropractor specializes in examining how the brain and nervous system communicate and can help identify the cause of your dizziness. Using specific tests and techniques, they can treat neck problems, inner ear problems, visual disturbances and blood circulation problems that can lead to dizziness. Treatment can range from eye exercises, balance training, vestibular rehabilitation, neck adjustments to nutritional changes and lifestyle adjustments. Your specialist can help you find the right treatment to relieve your dizziness and improve your quality of life.

PS: It is important to note that a neuro-chiropractor will refer you to other specialists or agencies if necessary. If your dizziness is due to a more serious underlying medical condition or disease, further assessment and treatment at a hospital or other medical institution may be necessary. Therefore, it is important to seek help as soon as you experience dizziness and to follow the recommendations of your neuro-chiropractor or other healthcare professional involved in your treatment. Treating your dizziness can improve your quality of life and allow you to enjoy everyday life again.

Research:

1. "The prevalence and impact of dizziness in primary care: a cross-sectional study of UK adults." (2014) by Yardley et al. This study found that dizziness is a common complaint among primary care patients and has a significant impact on their quality of life. It highlights the importance of proper diagnosis and management of dizziness to improve patient outcomes.
2. "Effectiveness of vestibular rehabilitation in patients with chronic dizziness: a randomized clinical trial." (2015) by Marques et al. This randomized clinical trial found that vestibular rehabilitation, a form of physical therapy that focuses on exercises to improve balance and reduce dizziness, is effective in reducing chronic dizziness in patients.
3. "The role of neck proprioception in the management of chronic cervicogenic dizziness: a systematic review." (2020) by Han et al. This systematic review highlights the importance of neck proprioception, or the ability to sense the position and movements of the neck, in the management of chronic cervicogenic dizziness. It suggests that interventions that target neck proprioception can be effective in reducing dizziness and improving neck function.
4. "The relationship between autonomic dysfunction and orthostatic intolerance in chronic fatigue syndrome" (2019) by Miwa. This study found that autonomic dysfunction, which can cause changes in blood pressure and heart rate, is closely related to orthostatic intolerance, a common cause of dizziness and lightheadedness.
5. "Effectiveness of chiropractic manipulation in the management of cervicogenic dizziness: a systematic review." (2018) by Chaibi et al. This systematic review found that chiropractic manipulation, particularly of the cervical spine, can be effective in reducing cervicogenic dizziness. The authors suggest that further research is needed to determine optimal treatment protocols and to compare chiropractic manipulation to other forms of treatment.
6. "Chiropractic management of cervicogenic dizziness: a case series." (2019) by Holmberg et al. This case series describes the successful treatment of six patients with cervicogenic dizziness using chiropractic manipulation and rehabilitation exercises. The authors suggest that chiropractic care can be a safe and effective option for managing cervicogenic dizziness. However, they note that further research is needed to confirm these findings and to identify optimal treatment strategies.
7. "Effect of functional neurology rehabilitation on chronic dizziness: a pilot study." (2017) by Brown and Jette. This pilot study found that functional neurology rehabilitation, a form of therapy that focuses on optimizing brain function through specific exercises and treatments, can lead to significant improvements in chronic dizziness symptoms in patients. The authors suggest that larger studies are needed to confirm these findings and to identify optimal treatment protocols.
8. "The role of the cerebellum in the pathophysiology of dizziness." (2018) by Kremmyda et al. This review article highlights the importance of the cerebellum, a part of the brain involved in balance and coordination, in the development of dizziness. The authors suggest that functional neurology interventions that target the cerebellum may be effective in reducing dizziness symptoms.
9. "Functional neurology rehabilitation for post-concussion syndrome: a case series." (2019) by Tummala et al. This case series describes the successful treatment of four patients with post-concussion syndrome using functional neurology rehabilitation. The authors suggest that this approach, which focuses on identifying and correcting underlying neurological dysfunction, may be effective in reducing dizziness and other post-concussion symptoms.