Vertigo is a strange sensation of spinning, dizziness, or loss of balance that can make even the littlest movements feel disorienting and difficult. Many people experience this unsettling feeling at some point in their lives, and it can be triggered by a variety of factors. One common question is whether stress plays a role in causing vertigo. Can stress cause vertigo? Can vertigo be related to stress? Let’s explore the connection between stress and vertigo and what you can do about this dizzying condition.
What Is Vertigo?
Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness characterized by the sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning. It often occurs from issues of the inner ear, which is responsible for your balance. Vertigo can be temporary or chronic, and it can range from mild to severe.
Common symptoms of vertigo include:
- Feeling like you’re spinning or swaying
- Difficulty maintaining balance
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sweating
- Headaches
Can Stress Cause Vertigo?
Yes, stress can cause vertigo, or, at the very least, it can play a major role in triggering or exacerbating it. Chronic stress is well known for its impact on overall health and well-being. Stress can affect your body in many ways, including your cardiovascular, digestive, and immune systems. It’s also common for stress to contribute to a range of neurological symptoms, including dizziness and vertigo. When the body experiences stress, it enters a “fight or flight” mode, releasing hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. While this response is essential for survival, prolonged periods of stress can overstimulate your nervous system, leading to physical symptoms like vertigo.
Here’s how vertigo and stress might be linked:
- Tension and muscle strain: Stress can cause the muscles in your neck, shoulders, and upper back to tense up. This tension can impact the blood flow to your brain, potentially triggering dizziness or vertigo.
- Anxiety-related vertigo: People who suffer from anxiety or panic disorders are at a higher risk of experiencing vertigo. Anxiety attacks can cause sudden dizziness or a feeling of being off balance, and people with anxiety may be more sensitive to the sensations that lead to vertigo.
- Vestibular migraine: Stress is a known trigger for migraines, and some people experience a form of migraine that includes vertigo as a primary symptom. Vestibular migraines can cause intense dizziness or spinning sensations, and stress is often listed as one of the key triggers for these episodes.
- Hyperventilation: When you’re stressed or anxious, you may begin to breathe more rapidly or shallowly, a condition known as hyperventilation. This can reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in your blood, leading to symptoms like lightheadedness, dizziness, and even vertigo.
Can Vertigo Be Triggered by Stress?
Given the many different ways stress can affect the body, it’s clear that vertigo can be triggered by stress. Stress can make symptoms of existing vertigo conditions worse, including those related to inner ear disorders or migraines. For people with chronic vertigo, stress management can play a major role in reducing the frequency and severity of your symptoms. Managing stress effectively can help to break the cycle of stress and vertigo. Techniques like mindfulness, deep breathing exercises, yoga, and progressive muscle relaxation can help reduce tension and alleviate symptoms. In some cases, working with a mental health professional can also be helpful in addressing underlying anxiety or stress disorders.
Other Causes of Vertigo
While stress and vertigo can be related, there are several other causes of vertigo that people should be aware of. If you’re experiencing vertigo, it’s important to identify the root cause so that you can get the proper treatment. Here are some of the most common conditions that may lead to vertigo:
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
BPPV is one of the most common causes of vertigo and occurs when tiny calcium crystals in the inner ear become dislodged and move into one of the semicircular canals. These crystals disrupt signals sent to the brain about your balance, which may result in brief episodes of spinning, especially when you change the position of your head. People with BPPV typically experience vertigo when lying down, rolling over in bed, or looking up.
Meniere’s Disease
Meniere’s disease is a disorder of the inner ear that can lead to recurrent episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, and ringing in the ears (also known as tinnitus). The exact cause of Meniere’s disease is not fully known, but it’s thought to be related to an abnormal buildup of fluid in the inner ear. Episodes of vertigo from Meniere’s disease can last anywhere from 20 minutes to several hours.
Migraines
Migraines can sometimes occur with vertigo as a primary symptom. These episodes, known as vestibular migraines, can even occur without a headache. People with vestibular migraines may experience dizziness, motion sensitivity, and vertigo that lasts from a few minutes to several days.
Seeking Treatment for Vertigo
If you’re dealing with vertigo, whether it’s stress-related or caused by another condition, it’s important to talk to your doctor. At AICA Orthopedics, our team of chiropractors, orthopedic doctors, physical therapists, and neurologists can help diagnose the cause of your vertigo and develop an individualized treatment plan just for you.
Treatment for vertigo will vary depending on the underlying cause and your specific set of symptoms. For example, with BPPV, a series of head movements known as the Epley maneuver can often help reposition the displaced calcium crystals in the inner ear. For conditions like vestibular migraines, medications may be used to manage symptoms, while physical therapy exercises can help with balance and coordination. If stress is a contributing factor, your doctor may recommend stress management techniques or refer you to a specialist for counseling or therapy.
Visit AICA Orthopedics for Vertigo Treatment
Does stress cause vertigo? Yes, stress can play a significant role in triggering or worsening vertigo, especially when combined with other underlying conditions. However, stress is just one of many possible causes of vertigo. Conditions such as BPPV, Meniere’s disease, and migraines can all lead to vertigo as well. If you’re experiencing vertigo and think that stress may be a factor, it’s important to seek help. At AICA Orthopedics, our multidisciplinary team can help you get to the root of your vertigo and find relief through chiropractic care, physical therapy, neurological evaluations, and more. Contact us today to learn how we can help you manage your vertigo and improve your quality of life.