Vertigo is a disorienting condition that can leave individuals feeling like the world is spinning, even while standing still. For those who experience this unsettling sensation, understanding the symptoms, causes, and treatments is essential to finding lasting relief. In this article, we will delve into the common symptoms of vertigo, its potential causes—including migraines and allergies—and effective diagnostic and treatment methods. By the end, you'll understand not only what helps with vertigo symptoms but also how Releaseology can make a difference.
Disclaimer: The content on this site and my posts are for educational and informational purposes only and not meant as medical advice. It is not intended as medical advice or to replace a relationship with a qualified healthcare professional. There is absolutely no assurance that any statement contained or cited in an article touching on medical matters is true, correct, precise, or up-to-date. Please consult a clinician that is familiar with your care, if you have specific questions for your own care.
Common Symptoms of Vertigo
Vertigo symptoms often manifest as a spinning sensation or a false sense of motion, even when stationary. Other common symptoms include:
True Vertigo: feels like the room is spinning or you are spinning, balance is almost nonexistent, bouncing of walls and walking like "you're drunk"
Dizziness following Vertigo: Vertigo is like an injury to your inner ear, many patients experience dizziness even when vertigo has been resolved. Vestibular therapy will help your body reset this imbalance
Vertigo-like symptoms: While not always vertigo, these include balance issues, unsteadiness, or a floating sensation.
Dizziness before a migraine: A warning sign for many, this sensation can precede the onset of a debilitating headache.
Dizziness, lightheadedness, and nausea: These symptoms frequently accompany vertigo, making even simple tasks feel overwhelming.
Causes of Vertigo: What Triggers the Spin?
Several underlying conditions can lead to vertigo. Here are some of the most common:
The Most Common cause of vertigo is a hit to the head. Also keep in mind, any jostle to the head, such as whiplash can cause vertigo
The Second Most Common cause of Vertigo is dehydration. Especially, in Arizona, many people are dehydrated because the dry heat evaporates sweat to quickly, most people don't realize how much water and electrolytes they are expelling
Allergies: Allergies can cause inflammation or fluid buildup in the inner ear, leading to vertigo from allergies. Seasonal or environmental allergies are often overlooked but may play a significant role in triggering vertigo symptoms.
Inner Ear Issues: Conditions like Ménière's disease, acoustic neuroma and vestibular neuritis can disrupt balance and cause vertigo.
Migraines: Known for their intense headaches, migraines can also cause episodes of vertigo, referred to as vestibular migraines. These are often accompanied by dizziness and nausea.
Jaw Dysfunction: The anatomy of jaw muscles can often pinch and press on nerves that can cause vertigo or symptoms similar to vertigo such as dizziness and imbalance
Eye Dysfunction: When the eyes are dysfunctional and not working optimally it relays a confusing picture back to your brain resulting in a misread, balance issues and dizziness
Neck Dysfunction: Difficulty turning your neck and nodding your head will decrease the input to your vestibular system. The vestibular system likes "use it or lose it" so, if you are not consistently stimulating this system, it will turn off. So when you do turn your head or nod your head it doesn't know how to calculate this input
How is Vertigo Diagnosed?
Accurate vertigo diagnosis is key to effective treatment. Health professionals often perform these tests:
Dix Hallpike Test: Evaluates positional vertigo. Typically performed by a physical therapist with vestibular training, but some MDs and DOs are comfortable performing this test as well
Balance and Coordination Assessments
Hearing Tests: may be indicated to rule-out underlying inner ear diseases
Treatment Options: What Helps with Vertigo Symptoms?
Please note that due to the complexity and people's own anatomical differences the below may provide you relief or may even exacerbate your symptoms. These are general guides to discuss with a clinician familiar with your care. Ultimately, it is recommended to pursue vestibular physical therapy
Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): Vestibular therapy is typically provided by a physical therapist. There are several centers throughout the Phoenix-Area that I can recommend as I have learned from several experts, if you are unable to come to Releaseology in Tempe, AZ.
Staying Hydrated. At the point of having vertigo, you will need more than just water. Electrolyte water along or coconut water can help. I detail my favorite electrolytes in my blog here
Neck and/or Jaw Massage to decrease the tightness in both the neck and the jaw, this MAY relieve the tightness on the nerves responsible for dizziness.
Heat Therapy: Applying heat to the neck and jaw to increase blood flow, relaxes muscles, and reduces dizziness signals. Apply a moist heating pad for 15–20 minutes. Avoid excessive heat to prevent burns. NOTE that moist heating pads are the most effective. My favorite brands are Thermophore and Thermipaq
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Medications: Antihistamines, anti-nausea drugs, or vestibular suppressants can provide short-term relief. Meclizine is a commonly used and prescribed medication. Note that in my career of treating vestibular disorders, about 50% of my patients complain it did not work or actually makes their symptoms worse
Ginger: ingesting ginger candy will help to decrease nausea-related symptoms. Commonly found at Sprouts but also on Amazon
Motion Sickness Patches are incredibly effective. These are my favorite, all natural patches: https://amzn.to/3ZSwqjU
Motion Sickness Bands
I love these as they work for sea sickness, motion sickness and easy to wear. They have helped me on several boat rides, altitude sickness and so much more: https://amzn.to/3DrMLEK
The Reliefband is also an option, but I have heard varied feedback regarding this: https://amzn.to/3PbfQqs
Vagus Nerve Stimulation: Dizziness, nausea and vestibular issues can involve an overactive nervous system that is constantly living in fight-or-flight. Calming the nervous system can reduce pain intensity and promote healing. Society today is terrible to our nervous systems and the vagus nerve. It was not programmed to handle the frequency and intensity of the stressors of today’s world. Improving vagus nerve dysfunction teaches your system to be flexible when faced with a stressor or “trigger” and how to accurately “read” them and respond appropriately. I have many free resources for vagus nerve activation on my site at www.releaseology.com/vagus plus book with me with my services below. I ALWAYS recommend the NKT Vagus Nerve Combo to assess where the pain is coming from and then relieve you, but if you want full vagus nerve time, book the Vagus Nerve Harmony Massage. If you don't live locally, I also offer vagus nerve services virtually.
Vestibular Therapy in Tempe by Releaseology - The Releaseology Difference
At Releaseology, I don’t just treat symptoms—I uncover the root cause of your dysfunction. Using hands-on manual techniques tailored to your needs, I aim to address everything and can assess how your body moves in relation to one another. I look at many other things that other clinicians may overlook: a seemingly unrelated muscle, your jaw, eyes, diaphragm, core, pelvic floor, scar tissue, ligaments and nervous system. Whether it’s stress-related dizziness, vertigo (BPPV), or weakness in an eye muscle, my approach ensures you leave feeling better and moving freely.
Don’t let dizziness and vertigo hold you back any longer. Book your session today and experience the Releaseology difference firsthand. Relief is just a click away!
Any of these services will include an assessment and evaluation into your vestibular system or book a free consultation below
Disclaimer: The content on this site and my posts are for educational and informational purposes only and not meant as medical advice. It is not intended as medical advice or to replace a relationship with a qualified healthcare professional. There is absolutely no assurance that any statement contained or cited in an article touching on medical matters is true, correct, precise, or up-to-date. Please consult a clinician that is familiar with your care, if you have specific questions for your own care.
Medical Disclaimer
The content on this site and my posts are for educational and informational purposes only and not meant as medical advice. It is not intended as medical advice or to replace a relationship with a qualified healthcare professional. There is absolutely no assurance that any statement contained or cited in an article touching on medical matters is true, correct, precise, or up-to-date. Please consult a clinician that is familiar with your care, if you have specific questions for your own care.
More from Releaseology
Don't forget to check out other resources on my site! You can book a session with me here, find a list of conditions I treat here, find more about me here, learn how to regulate your own vagus nerve and nervous system here and read more on my blog here. Lastly, follow me on my social channels: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok!
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