Don’t think of cervical spondylosis when you feel dizzy. It may be “otolithiasis”. If you meet the following 4 points, you can basically diagnose it.

Have you ever experienced this: waking up in the morning and suddenly feeling dizzy and even unsteady? This vertigo may not be as simple as cervical spondylosis or insufficient blood supply to the brain as you imagine. In fact, according to clinical experience, this sudden, position-related vertigo is mostly caused by a disease called " otolithiasis ".

What is otolithiasis?

Otolithiasis sounds like it has something to do with earwax, but it is not. It is also called " benign paroxysmal positional vertigo ", which refers to a disease in which otoliths (calcium carbonate crystals) in the inner ear fall off and enter the semicircular canals in the ear, moving with changes in the position of the head, causing vertigo.

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Normally, otoliths are located on the utricle and saccule of the inner ear, helping us sense changes in center of gravity and speed and maintaining body balance . But when they are out of place, problems arise.

Dizziness when the head moves is a typical symptom

Symptoms of otolithiasis can be identified by the following characteristics:

1. Benign: Otolithiasis is a self-limiting disease that usually resolves on its own in about a week. However, during this time, patients may experience severe dizziness and nausea.

2. Paroxysmal: Each attack is very short, ranging from a few seconds to tens of seconds, and rarely exceeds one minute.

3. Positional: Symptoms usually occur when the position of the head changes, such as dizziness when getting up in the morning, turning over at night, lying down, looking up or lowering the head. When the head is still, the dizziness disappears.

4. Dizziness: Patients often feel as if the surrounding environment is spinning, accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and difficulty walking. For otolithiasis, doctors usually use manual repositioning to treat it. Through professional manual manipulation, the otoliths are returned to their original position. Most people will experience significant improvement in their vertigo symptoms after receiving repositioning treatment.

However, it should be noted that reduction treatment must be performed by a professional doctor, especially for patients who also suffer from cervical spondylosis. Improper operation may cause cervical spine injury.

How to prevent relapse?

Although otolithiasis is benign, there is still a chance of recurrence after the otoliths return to their original positions. Here are some tips to prevent recurrence:

• On the day of resetting : Sit quietly for half an hour to help the otoliths stabilize.

• Within 3 days : Try to raise the head of the bed 45 degrees. You can use a quilt to create a slope. Avoid simply raising the pillow to avoid affecting the cervical spine.

• For one week : Avoid activities such as dental checkups, which may put your head in a special position and increase the risk of the otoliths being dislodged again.

• Within half a month : avoid strenuous exercise, such as mountain climbing, swimming, etc., ensure adequate sleep and a good mood to reduce the chance of recurrence of otolithiasis.

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Who is more likely to suffer from otolithiasis?

The occurrence of otolithiasis is related to many factors, including but not limited to:

• Older people , especially those between 40 and 60 years of age, because this age group may have chronic vestibular ischemia.

• Young people who are overworked, stressed, and have poor sleep quality often have a lifestyle that is prone to otolithiasis.

• Women , especially those with weaker constitutions, have a higher incidence rate.

• For patients with osteoporosis , since otoliths contain calcium carbonate, osteoporosis may cause local structural changes and increase the risk of disease.

• Other diseases, such as Meniere's disease, otitis media, etc. may also be the cause of 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 in time!