Vertigo
“My doctor told me that things would settle down eventually. They did not.”
Previously I had written on dizziness as it relates to eye reflexes and blood pressure. This case will briefly highlight the difference between central vertigo and peripheral vertigo.
Peripheral vertigo is the most common go-to set of diagnoses when someone starts spinning: Meniere’s Disease, otitis media, labrynthitis, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, viral infection or maybe acoustic neuroma. Peripheral refers to the inner ear region (on the periphery of the head).
Central vertigo would probably be the most likely cause of vertigo for the average person, yet, ironically, the most commonly overlooked. Central refers to neurological disruption in the centre line: brain, brainstem and spine. These 3 things are the functional units which come under the most strain on a day to day basis because of the way we stress and hold our posture. Balance and equilibrium is perceived at the levels of cerebellum and brainstem and they can receive “snowy TV” disturbance from both ends – the brain and eyes above, or spine and body below.
Central vertigo can also cover the third area of vertigo, which relates to systemic problems like blood pressure, blood sugar levels, heart conditions, polypharmacy or psychiatric issues.
Within the inner ear there are various bits and pieces that keep us on the level: Cochlea, semicircular canals and otolithic organs. The cochlea interprets sounds while the canals and otolithic organs are responsible for balance and awareness of position. The otolithic organs detect how fast or slow you’re moving in the vertical and horizontal planes, while the semicircular canals detect angular acceleration with the fluid that moves inside them. In a nanosecond, your brain can work out the angular acceleration of your head and where you are in the world with equations like this, which used to take me hours in engineering school. The brain’s depth of instantaneous computational powers is truly amazing.
What is also truly amazing is the functional design of the semicircular canals that report this information back to the brain in order for these calculations to be performed. There are 3 canals, almost precisely perpendicular to each other in each plane (x, y and z), and each canal detects angular acceleration in its plane. The wisdom of the body didn’t create these haphazardly and place them at random angles, hoping for the best so you don’t fall over. As with most things in nature, there was intent in creation. Read more
Vertigo and migraines in 12YO boy
This two-minute audio is a powerful adjunct to the Baby Brooke story.
A 12 year old boy misses half his time at school due to migraine headaches… for 7 years. They report a cessation in these headaches after only one week of chiropractic care!
Why this is a powerful adjunct to the Baby Brooke story is because the mother first noticed the child had torticollis at 4 weeks of age, which lasted 2 years. Yet another illustration of why it is so important to get the child checked even in the absence of pain or problem: It took 8 years for the migraines to manifest into a serious problem. TTT – Things Take Time.
Audio courtesy of Chiropractic Leadership Alliance.
Reference:
Kelly, D.D. & Holt, K. Resolution of vertigo, migraines and neck pain in a 12 year old boy receiving chiropractic care – a case study. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health. Vol 2010. Issue 4: 150-153.
Dizziness
“I have never had dizzy spells again and remarkably my high blood pressure has dropped.”
Dizziness and vertigo can have a myriad of causes from inner ear disease or vestibular dysfunction, to brainstem or cerebellar misfiring – the cerebellum is the part of the brain which the police test on the side of the road when one has had one too many. There can also be poor vestibulo-ocular reflexes (eye to inner ear connections) or poor vestibulo-spinal reflexes (upper spine to inner ear connections). This is oftentimes too why, when a person’s vision starts deteriorating or they change glasses, it can begin messing with the brain and balance. Likewise with bumps, falls or whiplash to the neck.
So it’s important to work out at what level the problem might be but a good neurological exam or working with other professionals will put one on the right track. In the absence of hardcore disease or damage, upper cervical adjusting can have a lot to offer for resetting the computer system of a lot of these connections especially when it comes to vestibulo-spinal and vestibulo-ocular reflexes (see pic). Associated problems in this arena would be nausea or vomiting, poor balance, change in vision, headaches or change in blood pressure because the brainstem has a huge role to play in how the automatic part of the nervous system controls this. Correcting the upper spine appropriately (in the absence of pain) can often reduce blood pressure.
Falls amongst the elderly is one of the highest morbidity predictors next to them being over-medicated (potentially another cause of vertigo). Meaning falls are common, and they lead to bad things: Broken hips, legs, wrists and these take a very long time to heal, if ever. The elderly lose independence and hopelessness sets in. So if you have a parent about whose balance you’re concerned, give Pip a buzz.
The other little gem I love about this case is how Gill’s quality of life improved after simply adjusting her arthritic thumb. Now she can write letters, turn knobs and play golf better again! Success is in the details. Read more