BPPV
Are you experiencing a spinning sensation (vertigo)?
Are these provoked by head movements?
Is rolling in bed or bending forward particularly difficult?
Does the dizziness tend to last a short period of time (less than 1 minute)?
No need to worry, this can be easily managed!
Different Names:
BPPV
vestibular hypofunction / dysfunction
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
vertigo
vestibular disorder
middle ear
So, what is BPPV? Let’s break it down:
Benign – not harmful/cancerous
Paroxysmal – symptoms are temporary and have a sudden onset
Positional – symptoms are often triggered by body/head position changes
Vertigo – a spinning sensation
BPPV is one of the most common types of vertigo, and causes brief episodes of mild to intense dizziness, usually triggered by specific changes in head position. This may occur when rolling in bed, when lying down, or when looking up and down.
Symptoms
Dizziness
A sense that you or your surroundings are spinning (vertigo)
Loss of balance/ unsteadiness
Nausea/vomiting
Symptoms can come and go, and typically last less than 1 minute. May last longer in some cases.
Causes
Often, the cause is unknown. When the cause is known however, this can include:
Trauma/ concussion
Inner ear infection or disease
Family history of vertigo, tinnitus, labrynthitis, BPPV
Risk factors:
Age (over 50 years)
Female
Why is this happening to me?
We all have calcium carbonated ‘crystals’ in our inner ear in the utricle to help with our balance. Sometimes however, these crystals can become dislodged and enter one of the three surrounding semi-circular canals, where they are not supposed to be.
This sends incorrect messages to the brain, and causes the spinning sensation or dizziness known as BPPV. Nystagmus (involuntary, rapid and rhythmic eye movements) also occurs at this time.
This can be provoked by a change in head position, as the crystals enter and move throughout the semi-circular canals. However, symptoms usually last for less than 1 minute.
What should I do next?
It is important to speak to your physio!
Your physio can help identify which canal is affected, and use certain techniques to help return the crystals back into the utricle where they belong. May only take 1 session to be symptom free!!
Completing Vestibular rehab with your Physio eradicates symptoms altogether and reduces the severity of symptoms that allow patients to return to normal daily life.
In the coming months-years, there is a chance symptoms can return WITHOUT proper vestibular rehab. Hence it is important to seek a Vestibular Physio assessment for a correct diagnosis and management of the condition.