Have you ever felt like you were on a roller coaster ride at the amusement park after simply moving your head a little? If your answer is yes, you are one of the many people worldwide suffering from dizziness and vertigo.
BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) is actually the most common cause of persistent vertigo and it is one of the 10 most popular reasons why people are referred to neurologists. Don’t get stuck on the ride, treatment options are available for your vertigo and dizziness. [1][2]
Not a fun ride
People suffering from vertigo and dizziness have to endure the impact that these symptoms have on their lives. Daily activities can become almost impossible to complete and people sometimes need to take sick leave from work because they feel too ill to even get up or because of medical appointments. It is also true that psychiatric problems may result from vertigo symptoms which can add even more panic to the situation. The diagnostic process involved in vertigo issues is very time-consuming and often not done properly.
Clearly, this could all be very frustrating and may have terrible consequences for someone’s psychological health and life quality. Some people may even go as far as to avoid the whole situation and suffer through the dreadful symptoms, because it is simply too much of an effort to deal with it. [1]
BPPV explained
It is thought that Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is caused by endolymphatic debris that builds up in the semicircular canals of the middle ear which causes imbalances that lead to balance distortion. [2]
To be diagnosed with BPPV, you need to have experienced five vertigo attacks that lasted for a few seconds or less than a minute without suffering other neurological symptoms and these attacks must have been brought on by changes in the position of your head. [1]
Stop the ride! – How to go about treating BPPV
The good news is that something can be done about these disabling attacks: Vertigo treatment is available these days to people suffering from this dreadful sensation. Positioning manoeuvres are used to ease away the symptoms of BPPV and some examples of such manoeuvres include the:
- Epley maneuver
- Semont maneuver
- Gufoni maneuver
All of these manoeuvres are used to move endolymphatic debris into the vestibule of the inner ear and away from the position where the problem was caused within the posterior semicircular canal. The addition of proprioceptive and visual exercises may also improve balance and reduce dizziness. [2][3][4]
Contact us today for Vertigo treatment and instead of letting dizziness turn you around, turn it around!
References:
- Neuhauser HK, Lempert T. Vertigo: epidemiologic aspects. Semin Neurol. 2009; vol. 29(5): 473-481.
- Nguyen-Huynh AT. Evidence-based practice: Management of vertigo. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2012 October; vol. 45(5): 925–940.
- Strupp M, Dieterich M, Brandt T. The treatment and natural course of peripheral and central vertigo. Deutsches Ärzteblatt International. 2013 July; vol. 110(29-30): 505.
- Shahanawaz SD, Rathod PV. Adding visual and proprioceptive exercises to dizziness caused by BPPV: A randomized clinical trial. Indian Journal of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy. 2015; vol. 9(4): 235-239.
