Do the symptoms of vertigo, nausea, hearing loss, ringing and fullness in the ear sound familiar? If they do, you likely know about Meniere's disease, a disorder of the inner ear. Meniere's disease typically affects people between the ages of 20 and 50, but it can happen to anyone. This condition is in a category among many others that are not yet fully understood. Rather, a lot of theories exist as to why Meniere's disease occurs.
The symptoms of Meniere's disease are caused by a buildup of excess fluid in an area of the inner ear called the labyrinth. It is in this area of the inner ear where receptors send signals to the brain about our body's movement and position. In the case of Meniere's disease, this excess fluid interferes with the body's normal ability to communicate with the brain, which can lead to vertigo.
Your Inner Ear and Your Neck
When you think of Meniere's disease, vertigo, and the inner ear, chances are a spinal misalignment at the top of the neck is not the first thing that comes to mind. However, this area might play a critical role in uncovering a possible root cause for Meniere's disease. The atlas vertebra, the topmost one in the neck, actually sits in very close proximity to the structures of the inner ear. A misalignment here can be enough to cause the conditions that could lead to fluid balance and the disturbance of the signals that relay information to the brain about body movement and balance.
If you are suffering from any of the symptoms of Meniere's disease, including vertigo, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), loss of balance, and nausea, having your atlas alignment checked might be the first step toward lasting relief. If a misalignment is found, we address this problem using a gentle adjustment that is specific to each patient's needs. Once normal alignment is restored, many Meniere's patients report a decrease or even a complete disappearance of their symptoms.
References:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menieres-disease/basics/definition/con-20028251
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/menieres-disease
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