Don’t think of cervical spondylosis when you get dizzy, it could be otolithiasis.

Have you ever experienced a situation where you wake up in the morning and suddenly feel like the sky is spinning, or even unsteady on your feet?This kind of vertigo may not be as simple as whiplash or insufficient blood supply to the brain as you think.In fact, clinical experience has shown that most cases of sudden, position-related vertigo are caused by a condition called otolithiasis.

What is otolithosis?

Otolithiasis may sound like it has something to do with earwax, but it doesn’t. It is also called “benign paroxysmal positional vertigo”.It is also called “benign paroxysmal positional vertigo” and is a condition in which otoliths (calcium carbonate crystals) in the inner ear become dislodged into the semicircular canals of the ear and move with the position of the head, causing vertigo.

Normally, otoliths are located on the oval and ball sacs of the inner ear, helping us to sense changes in our center of gravity and speed, and serving to maintain our body’s balance.But the problem comes when they are out of place.

Dizziness on movement of the head is a typical symptom

Symptoms of otolithiasis can be recognized by the following characteristics:

Benign: Otolithiasis is a self-limiting condition that usually resolves on its own in about a week.However, during this time, patients may experience severe feelings of dizziness and nausea.
Paroxysmal: Each attack is short, ranging from a few seconds to tens of seconds, and rarely longer than a minute.
Positional: Symptoms usually occur when there is a change in the position of the head, such as vertigo in the morning when waking up, in the evening when turning over, lying down, or when raising or lowering the head, and the vertigo disappears when the head is stationary.
Vertigo: Patients often feel as if their surroundings are spinning, accompanied by nausea and vomiting, and difficulty walking.For otoliths, doctors usually use manipulation to reposition the otoliths.Through professional manipulation, the otolith is brought back to its original position.Most people experience a significant improvement in their vertigo symptoms after the repositioning treatment.

It is important to note, however, that repositioning treatments must be performed by a medical professional, especially for those who also suffer from cervical spondylosis, where improper manipulation may lead to cervical spine injuries.

What can I do to prevent recurrence?

Although otolithiasis is benign, the possibility of recurrence still exists after the otolith is returned to its original position.Here are some tips to prevent recurrence:

On the day of reset: sit still for half an hour to help stabilize the otolith.
Within 3 days: try to elevate the head of the bed by 45 degrees, you can create a slope with the quilt, and avoid simply padding the pillows so as not to affect the cervical spine.
For one week: avoid activities such as dental checkups, which may put your head in a particular position and increase the risk of the otolith falling out again.
Within half a month: Avoid strenuous exercise, such as hiking, swimming, etc. Ensure adequate sleep and good mood to reduce the chance of recurrence of otolithiasis.

Who is more likely to get otolithiasis?

The development of otolithiasis has been linked to a number of factors, including but not limited to:

Older people, especially between the ages of 40 and 60, as this age group may have chronic vestibular ischemia.
Young people who are overworked, stressed, and sleep poorly tend to have lifestyles that predispose them to otolithiasis.
The incidence is higher in women, especially those who are weaker.
In patients with osteoporosis, due to the calcium carbonate content in the otoliths, osteoporosis may lead to local structural changes that increase the risk of disease.
Other diseases, such as Meniere’s disease and otitis media, can also be triggers for otolithiasis.

I hope this article can help you better understand otolithiasis and take appropriate protective measures in your life.If you or your friends have similar symptoms, please remember to seek medical attention!