Cervicogenic vertigo (vertigo originating in the neck) is one of the most common forms of vertigo that occurs in humans. Their intensity is sometimes so strong that the patient cannot get out of bed, and sometimes it can also be very mild in the form of a feeling of drifting to the side or an occasional feeling of collapse.
Causes
The most common cause of cervicogenic vertigo is an incorrect position of the head in relation to the body. In this position, there is an irregular distribution of pressure on the vertebrae and discs, gradual muscle spasms, and irritation of the peripheral and central nervous system, which results in a feeling of instability. Subluxation of the vertebrae in the cervical spine also plays a huge role in this problem. People who sit at the computer for a long time, dentists, hairdressers, people who experience a traffic accident or an injury to the cervical spine have this problem.
symptoms
People with cervicogenic vertigo describe their condition as slipping away from things around them, feeling like they are falling apart, and feeling unsteady on one or both sides. This dizziness occurs more often when moving or turning the head after a long period of rest. In addition to dizziness, there is a balance disorder that also worsens when moving the head. Other symptoms include headache, neck pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of balance when sitting or standing, ringing in the ears, short-term vision loss.
All these symptoms can be constant, they can occur occasionally, they can occur suddenly without any warning signs, which in some situations can lead to the patient falling and thus causing an injury. The duration of these symptoms may be a few minutes, or they may last several hours.
Diagnosis
Given that there is not a single test that 100% confirms that vertigo is cervicogenic, the history is of key importance, and then the process of eliminating differential diagnoses through orthopedic and neurological tests, and other diagnostic methods if necessary.
Therapy
In the case of cervicogenic vertigo, the neck muscles should first be relaxed. Physical therapy is performed, which includes exercises for the cervical part of the spine, proper posture, and balance exercises. It is necessary to return the cervical vertebrae to their physiological position, which is best achieved by chiropractic manipulation.
Cervicogenic vertigo is successfully treated for a shorter period of time, but sometimes the patient's physical condition and general health affect the recovery time.
After recovery, it is very important to explain to patients to keep their head in a neutral position, to regularly do exercises for stretching and strengthening the neck.
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