Our vestibular system is comprised of sensory organs that lie deep within our inner ear. These sensory organs serve to assist with the maintenance of postural control, stabilization of vision during movement, and to provide information regarding spatial orientation. The vestibular organs on either side of our head work synchronously with one another in push pull fashion. When the system is working properly, information conveyed from the right vestibular organ is conveyed by the left vestibular organ in an equal but opposite manner. When the two vestibular organs are not operating in this synchronized fashion, our brain registers this as vertigo!
The most common type of vertigo arises from a condition called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). BPPV is characterized by brief episodes of vertigo that is brought on by position changes (i.e. rolling over in bed, getting out of bed, washing your hair, etc). Vertigo can also result from an acute infection to either the vestibular organ itself (i.e. labyrinthitis) or to the nerve (vestibular neuritis) that enervates the vestibular organ. In this case vertigo may last for several days to weeks. Vertigo can also result from conditions affecting the areas of the brain responsible for processing vestibular information (cerebellum and brain stem). Vertigo can lead to significant functional limitations, examples include walking, completing basic activities of daily living (bathing, grooming, and dressing), driving, and working. The vestibular symptoms you or your loved ones are now experiencing can often be eliminated in only 1-2 treatment sessions. Call or click to schedule your appointment today!