Why Am I So Dizzy?
A few of the factors that can lead to dizziness include lack of sleep, poor nutrition, overexertion, medication side effects, or a physical ailment, such as a head cold or the flu.
Dizziness can also occur from something as simple as standing up too quickly after an extended period of rest. Some accompanying symptoms to dizziness may include:
- Lightheadedness or heavy-headedness
- Momentarily impaired vision (i.e. tunnel vision)
- Feeling woozy or faint
- Loss of balance
Am I Experiencing Vertigo?
Vertigo is most commonly caused by an imbalance in the inner ear, also known as the “vestibular system.” Your vestibular system helps you maintain your balance and center of gravity by sending messages to your brain regarding your movement. When this is impaired, the necessary messages become blocked from your brain, and your movement becomes affected.
You may feel as if the world is spinning around you, you can’t focus your vision for prolonged periods of time, or you can’t stand/move properly without feeling like you are going to topple over. Some common causes of vertigo include:
Meniere’s Disease
This occurs when fluid builds up in your ear(s).
This typically includes “ringing” in your ear and sudden waves of intense dizziness that may last for hours.
You may also experience momentary hearing losses.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
This is the most common cause of vertigo.
It occurs when the tiny calcium crystals located in your ears break apart and move around to different parts of the ear, where they are not supposed to be.
This can cause sudden spinning sensations (vertigo) and inner-ear discomfort.
Migraines
Migraines can impact your vestibular system, thus causing episodes of vertigo which may be coupled with a sensitivity to light or sound.
Vision may also be impaired.
Stroke
A stroke affects movement in your whole body. If you recently suffered a stroke, you may experience waves of vertigo which may linger for extended periods of time.
Vestibular Neuritis
This is an inner-ear infection that can cause vertigo. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may be living with vertigo:
- Double vision or blurry vision
- Nausea or vomiting
- Short bouts of an intense sensation of room spinning with head movement or position changes such as rolling over or getting out of bed
- Abnormal eye movements
- Difficulty focusing your vision during movement
- Imbalance especially if you are moving your head, have your eyes closed, or are on an uneven surface
- Difficulty reading road signs while driving
- Fatigue and difficulty concentrating or focusing
- Difficulty walking a straight path without veering right or left
How Will Physical Therapy Help My Dizziness and Vertigo?
Both dizziness and vertigo can hinder your daily life, limiting your ability to perform even the simplest of tasks. Luckily, no matter what the cause may be, physical therapy for dizziness and vertigo can help. Taylor Rehab Physical Therapy is very successful at diagnosing and treating both dizziness and vertigo with vestibular rehabilitation therapy in Mooresville.
Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT)
Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) is a patient-specific exercise-based program designed to reduce vertigo and dizziness, gaze instability, imbalance, and falls. The goal of VRT is to help teach your body to compensate for inner ear loss or damage. Your physical therapist will perform a thorough evaluation to determine which exercises you will benefit from and design a specific program for you that includes balance exercises, eye exercises, and cognitive or multi-tasking activities to improve your ability to perform activities of daily living and recreational activities with less difficulty.
Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers
Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers are a form of vestibular rehabilitation therapy that treats benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). They consist of a specific series of head and body movements designed to reposition loose calcium carbonate debris in the inner ear back to where they are supposed to be.
These maneuvers usually only take a few minutes and often 1-2 treatments can fix BPPV. Your physical therapist will assess which inner ear is affected and use the appropriate repositioning maneuver to eliminate your symptoms quickly and easily.
Get Relief from Dizziness and Vertigo with Physical Therapy Treatments
Dizziness is common and can have many causes. Vertigo, however, is a little different. While dizziness is typically synonymous with “lightheadedness,” which creates the illusion of being unsteady, vertigo is often caused by problems of the inner ear and is defined by the sensation of external movement or spinning when one is sitting still.
Dizziness can include an internal sense of lightheadedness, floating, wooziness, unsteadiness, imbalance, or spinning. It can worsen with getting up too quickly or making quick movements.
Those experiencing vertigo have reported feeling as if they or the room around them is spinning or moving, even when they are sitting still. These symptoms can worsen with quick movements or position changes. If you are in Mooresville living with dizziness or vertigo, don’t hesitate to contact Taylor Rehab Physical Therapy in Mooresville, NC today.
Get Back on Your Feet Today
In Mooresville, recovery from vertigo is only offered at select practices, Taylor Rehab Physical Therapy being one of them. Our advanced methods and diagnostic tools have earned us a reputation as being one of the most successful Mooresville physical therapy practices for treating dizziness and vertigo.
If you are experiencing either of these conditions, contact us to schedule an appointment today. We will help you get back on your feet as quickly as possible.
Your Next Steps…
Request An Appointment
Receive A Custom Treatment Plan
Work Hard and Progress In Your Recovery
Recover & Enjoy Life Pain-Free!