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
 
Let's look at the two most common problems that can cause dizziness and their 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 in 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 occur.



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. 
Inner ear problems -
The inner part of the ear is a very complex structure . Watch this video for more on the anatomy of the inner ears and how they can cause dizziness (also known as vertigo)

All of the inner ear issues manifest as these symptoms:
  • Your dizziness is increased by moving your head in different directions.
  • The dizziness with your head movement is accompanied by involuntary rapid flickering of the eyeballs in a certain direction. This is called nystagmus and its direction may change or stop with certain movements of the head. 
  •  You may experience disturbance in balance either at the time of the dizziness or later on as well.
  • Dizziness maybe accompanied by nausea and vomiting. 
However there are some specific symptoms that are characteristic of specific  inner ear problems:
  • Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV): This is the most common cause of vertigo. You may experience an intense but brief sense of movement or spinning when you are actually stationary. Dizziness is triggered by rapid head movements or turning in bed, sitting up after lying down. 
  • Labyrinthitis: This is an inner ear infection which is characterised by sudden hearing loss along with vertigo. You may have a history of cough, cold or fever prior to the onset of vertigo. 
  • Vestibular neuronitis:  This is caused by a viral infection of the vestibular nerve, which travels from the inner ear to the brain. You can experience sudden onset of vertigo and maybe nausea and vomiting. It is common to have a viral infection or a cough, cold or fever prior to the onset of vertigo. 
  • Meniere’s disease: There is an excessive build up of fluid in the inner ear. You may get sudden episodes of vertigo lasting up to 24 hours. You may also experience fluctuating hearing loss, ringing in the ear (tinnitus) and the feeling of fullness felt in the ears similar to when an aeroplane takes off from the runway.
Other causes of dizziness -

These can be due to low blood pressure, some medications, anxiety, low blood sugar, dehydration, to name a few. These are out of the scope of this guide but it is good to be aware that these can be some causes of dizziness. If you suspect these please consult your health care provider for medical management.
Do you need additional help to manage your dizziness? 

I have guided many people suffering from dizziness over the years, using simple exercises and easy lifestyle changes so that they are carry on with a pain free life. I would love to help you out! 
Join my free community where we have done a free training on "Simple Solutions to Manage your Neck Pain" and we discuss similar topics in a judgement free, friendly space.