Do you feel especially sick when a storm is coming? This is likely more than a coincidence. Seasonal vertigo is the term used for the painful symptoms that many feel with weather changes, especially during major storm seasons. Our experts in vertigo physical therapy near Mt Sinai NY can help relieve these vestibular symptoms. Island Sports Physical Therapy is here for you!
What Is Vertigo?
Vertigo is more of a symptom than a condition. It is usually experienced as a dizzy spinning sensation, making individuals feel like still objects or rooms are moving. This can be paired with nausea, vomiting, and balance issues.
Seasonal vertigo is a symptom of migraines. Migraines are a common cause of vertigo, and the changes brought by storms can induce severe migraines.
How Does Weather Cause Vertigo?
Being a symptom of migraines, storms can cause vertigo. Those who deal with migraines are often more sensitive to sensory inputs, and the barometric pressure changes that occur when a storm is coming can impact these individuals. The most severe weather seasons include spring storms, hurricane season, and tornado season.
The severity of the discomfort brought about by these storms can be immense, but many sufferers could assume that allergies or other causes are at play. The seasonal nature of this does not help. Individuals may experience symptoms for only a few weeks, so they do not seek out medical help or vertigo physical therapy near Mt Sinai NY at our East Setauket office. This leaves many undiagnosed and untreated.
Treating Seasonal Vertigo
Aside from resting and avoiding other migraine triggers, there are treatment options for those who experience vertigo. These include:
- Medication
- Meclizine is an antihistamine that helps treat vertigo and motion sickness
- Essential oils
- While not specifically meant for treating vertigo, lavender essential oil can help reduce nausea and dizziness
- Vestibular rehabilitation therapy
- Guided by a professional in vertigo physical therapy near Mt Sinai NY, these exercises are meant to suit each patient after their examination at our East Setauket office. They may include:
- Balance training
- Gaze stabilization
- Habituation – reduces dizziness
Other Causes Of Vertigo
If you are experiencing vertigo, but it is happening throughout the year and without the presence of storms, it may be a symptom of something else. Seasonal vertigo from migraines is real, but experiencing vertigo while a storm is coming can also be a coincidence. Here are some other common causes of vertigo:
- Medications
- Head or neck injuries
- Infection of the vestibular nerve
- Neurological conditions – brain tumor, stroke, multiple sclerosis
- Meniere’s disease – causes the overproduction of fluid in the inner ear
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo – caused by a change in head movement
Regardless of the severity of your vertigo or what you might assume its cause is, seek medical attention immediately. It may be a symptom of a serious issue, so getting a proper diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible is key.
Island Sports Physical Therapy’s Vertigo Physical Therapy Near Mt Sinai NY
If you are experiencing a dizzy sensation when storms are on the way, do not pass this off as a coincidence. You may be suffering from seasonal vertigo and may benefit from our vertigo physical therapy near Mt Sinai NY. Island Sports Physical Therapy , vertigo physical therapy near Mt Sinai NY, is dedicated to helping our patients find comfort and relief. Request an appointment today at our East Setauket office!