Vertigo is the extremely uncomfortable sensation of feeling as if the room is spinning. It is very difficult to function while experiencing vertigo. Dizziness and light headedness is a similar sensation, although less severe and less debilitating. The purpose of this article will be to briefly define the differences, causes and solutions for vertigo and dizziness. Here are definitions:
 

Dizziness characterized by a sensation of whirling motion, either of oneself or of external objects.
Vertigo is often caused by damage or disease in the inner ear.
The American Heritage® ScienceDictionary.
 

While vertigo is caused by a problem with the inner ear, dizziness can occur for many different reasons. Here are just a few common causes of dizziness and light headedness:
 

low blood sugar According to the American Diabetes Association, Hypoglycemia is a condition characterized by abnormally low blood glucose (blood sugar) levels, usually less than 70 mg/dl and includes various symptoms including confusion, rapid heartbeat, lightheadedness, dizziness, hunger and nausea
 

low blood pressure including orthostatic, which is the term for when blood pressure drops upon standing, resulting in light headedness and/or dizziness. Orthostatic blood pressure may occur for a few reasons, one is due to enduring stress which depletes the adrenal glands and kidney, which in turn affects the heart’s ability to properly circulate blood.
 

anemia According to the Mayo Clinic, anemia occurs when your blood doesn’t have enough red blood cells. Symptoms are various, including irregular heartbeats, shortness of breath, dizziness or lightheadedness.
 

blood deficiency blood volume insufficiency that may be due to regular blood loss or a one time blood loss event that does not result in anemia
 

clenching and grinding the teeth can also cause problems for the ear and cause either dizziness, vertigo or other inner ear conditions. It is a good idea to see your dentist or dental surgeon first, and modalities such as cranio-sacral therapy, massage, Rolfing and acupuncture can help make necessary adjustments and address the root cause.
 

Acupuncture, specific foods, Chinese herbal formulas and supplements are incredibly useful in the treatment of low blood sugar, low blood pressure, blood deficiency and anemia. I have personally experienced all of four of these conditions and have successfully used specific Chinese herbal formulas, supplements and foods to help restore regulation. Left unchecked, these can lead to more severe health conditions. If you have been experiencing ongoing dizziness, it is important to see your doctor.
 

For the treatment of vertigo, a client introduced me to this very informative video from Carol Foster, MD / University of Colorado Denver that thoroughly explains the cause of vertigo and provides visual instructions to get rid of vertigo. Search Carol Foster, MD vertigo or go directly to this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQR6b7CAiqk