What is the Source of your Dizziness?

Dizziness is a very common occurrence in todays population. However when we get dizzy for the first time it is not easy to figure out the reason for this as dizziness can be caused by multiple problems

In this blog lets discuss the commonest problem that can cause dizziness and its specific symptoms. Interestingly enough some of the symptoms can give you an idea of where the dizziness is coming from. Once you understand the reason for your dizziness you can work on the treatment with your healthcare provider accordingly.

Cervical spine disorders –

Dizziness is commonly seen with cervicogenic headaches or cervical headaches, ie; headaches that originate in the upper cervical spine. These can be caused due to trauma, whiplash injuries, cervical spondylosis or bad posture such as a forward head posture or improper sleeping posture, etc.

Watch this video for more details of the cervical spine and how cervicogenic headaches and the associated dizziness occurs:

Here are some specific symptoms that are characteristic of dizziness originating from the cervicogenic headache:

You have a dull achy pain that originates in the neck and radiates up into the side of the head, behind the ears or even into the front of the head or the eyes. The reason for this is the nerves that come out of the upper three cervical vertebras supply the head. When these nerves are irritated it can manifest as pain in the head.
You have a stiffness in the neck. However, if you have had stiffness for a long time you may not feel it till you firmly touch or apply mild pressure to the neck muscles.
You have a one sided headache and it does not shift from side to side. When the nerves in the cervical spine are sending the pain signals into one side of the head, the headache stays on that particular side.
Your dizziness may be aggravated by certain neck movements and relieved by massaging the neck muscles. There can be a loss of neck range on certain movements.
You may suffer from double vision, fainting, nausea and vomiting.