Expert: Gerald Anzalone, D.C. - 6/27/2008

Question
Hello,

Thanks for taking the time.  

Long story short, Jaunary started dizziness and nausea.  First thought was vertigo.  Had a head scan (MRI), ENG test and went to an Ear/Nose/Throat specialist to find no cause.  Then referred to a neurologist who diagnosed hyperventilation syndrome.  

My question:  Could a bone out of place (say in the neck or base of the skull) produce dizziness and nausea?  

dave

Answer
Dave,

Thanks for your question.

Regarding the first part of your question, hyperventilation syndrome is a vaguely-characterized disorder with an essentially unknown mechanism. Some commentators in the medical suggest a psychological cause for rapid breathing and nausea, although this explanation is somewhat controversial. Others implicate stressors such as emotional distress, sodium lactate (a compound used in shampoos and soaps), caffeine, isoproterenol (a drug used to treat asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema), cholecystokinin (a hormone of the digestive system that breaks up fats and protein), and carbon dioxide.

Regarding the second part of your question, current scientific chiropractic literature does not accept a "bone out of place" model of spinal dysfunction. More accurately, we refer to dysfunctional or restricted joints of the spine and dysfunction, inflammation, or tension of their associated soft tissues (ligaments, tendons, and muscles)

In some cases of arthritis of the cervical spine (the neck), a person might experience dizziness with certain movements of the head, as well as tinnitus (ringing in the ears), but there is no evidence with which I am familiar to suggest that dizzness and nausea can be improved with chiropractic manipulation. In fact, these may be red flags to the chiropractor to suggest that additional investigation is needed, and that manipulation might not be a good idea. Alternative treatment methods for cervical joint dysfunction and/or the associated muscular tension which may be present might include cervical joint mobilization or soft tissue techniques.

I hope that this answers your question.