Vertigo is characterized by a sudden spinning sensation. When produced purposely, spinning can be exciting and fun. Roller coasters, amusement park rides, and merry-go-rounds are all entertainment staples in our culture. On the other hand, when you feel this way and don't expect to, it can be quite concerning. This spinning feeling evokes memories of feeling sick or just not in control.
What do you do when this spinning feeling turns into a pattern, and you routinely feel this way during even the most mundane parts of your day?
It's All About Balance
Established through the coordination of multiple sense organs, balance is produced, most notably in the inner ear. The inner ear works in tandem with the eyes, skeletal muscles, and joints to produce baseline stability.
Endolymph is the fluid that moves within the semicircular canals of our inner ears and moves to provide a sense of movement. Contradicting signals from the other supporting systems is what results in the dizzy feeling. Feeling like you're moving or spinning when you're standing still produces symptoms such as:
- Difficulty balancing
- Difficulty concentrating
- Ringing in the ears
- Nausea, vomiting
- Fever
- Loss of hearing
TMD Connection
Endolymph movement in the inner ear is one of the most important functions for proper balance. As it turns out, the temporomandibular joint is remarkably close to the inner ear. An easy way to demonstrate this is to plug your ears and open and close your jaw. You should recognize right away that conducting this movement can be felt. As a result of this proximity, the temporomandibular joint's malfunctions can have tangible effects on the inner ear, sometimes resulting in vertigo.
Don't Let TMD Get You Down!
Visit our contact page today or schedule an appointment with Dr. Buck by calling (425) 409-2086 for more information about how temporomandibular joint disorder could be impacting your sense of balance. Dizziness might be a fun sensation to experience occasionally, but it can be debilitating if felt at the wrong time. Driving, working, or even relaxing after a long day all change dramatically with the caveat of feeling dizzy. Don't let vertigo and TMD team up and ruin your life any longer. Contact Dr. Buck and the team at Balance Epigenetic Orthodontics today.
