A person with vertigo often feels off balance and will experience a sense of dizziness. BPPV is an inner ear disorder that most commonly affects people aged 50 - 60 years and women are more likely to be affected than men. In this post, we will define BPPV, explain why it is important to understand it and provide you with some management strategies.
Table of Contents
What is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo?
Why is Understanding BPPV Important?
3 Strategies for Managing BPPV
Conclusion
FAQ
What is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo?
The vestibular system is a complex network of tiny structures and sensory organs located in the inner ear that helps us maintain our balance and orientation in space. It plays a crucial role in detecting changes in head position and movement, as well as the direction and speed of our movements. These sensory inputs are then processed by the brain to coordinate our movements and keep us from falling or feeling dizzy. The vestibular system works in conjunction with the visual system and other sensory inputs to help us navigate the world around us with ease and grace. The vestibular system is made of 3 canals in the inner ear that are filled with fluid. Within this fluid there are crystals that move in response to gravity. Your brain can sense movement of the crystals and interpret the position of your head.
BPPV occurs when these crystals become loose from their location and enter the semicircular canal of the ear. This causes spinning sensations and dizziness when the position of the head changes. There are three canals in the ear; anterior, posterior and horizontal. Most BPPV cases occur in the posterior canal and sometimes in the horizontal canal.
Other BPPV include anterior canal BPPV, multicanal BPPV and bilateral multicanal BPPV; but these are less common. There are also two types of BPPV: canalithiasis and cupulolithiasis. Canalithiasis is a more common type of BPPV at which the canalith is floating in the semicircular canal of the ear. Cupulolithiasis is when the canalith attaches to the semicircular canal of the ear.
Symptoms
The symptoms of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) include:
- Spinning sensations or vertigo that occur when the head position changes
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Nausea and vomiting, which can be caused by the vertigo
- Loss of balance or unsteadiness
- Symptoms going from sitting to lying down and vice versa.
- Fatiguing: if you do not move after 30-60 seconds the feeling should go away.
- Blurred vision
- A sensation of disorientation or feeling "off"
- Brief episodes of vertigo that last less than a minute
These symptoms are often brought on by specific head movements, such as rolling over in bed, getting up from a lying position, or looking up. The symptoms of BPPV can be very distressing and affect the quality of life for those who experience them. However, with proper diagnosis and treatment, most people can recover from BPPV and resume their normal activities.
Why is Understanding BPPV Important?
The spinning sensations and dizziness of BPPV are often associated with nausea. These symptoms only last for less than a minute but occur frequently throughout the day. This can significantly reduce quality of life and affect daily living.
It is important to understand what BPPV is so if you find yourself experiencing these symptoms you can seek the right treatment. Understanding the problem and listening to your body can put you on the right path and bring back your quality of life!
3 Strategies for Managing BPPV
- Get educated on BPPV: It is important to have an understanding of the symptoms of BPPV, the possible impacts of it and the safety precautions.
- See a physiotherapist: There are different types of BPPV and seeing a physiotherapist can help identify your exact problem. The assessments performed by the physiotherapist will rule out causes of imbalance, dizziness and vertigo issues other than BPPV. Physiotherapist's also may use the Epley maneuver.
- Follow up! Symptoms of BPPV usually resolve within days or weeks from the treatment but there are cases of recurrences. A physiotherapist will typically recommend for a reassessment in a month from the initial treatment. If symptoms are still persistent you will be reassessed and receive treatments based on the results.
Conclusion
In conclusion, BPPV can significantly impact one's quality of life due to the spinning sensations, dizziness, and nausea associated with it. Understanding the condition is important in seeking the right treatment, and there are strategies for managing BPPV, such as getting educated, seeing a physiotherapist, and following up with reassessments. By taking these steps, those affected by BPPV can find relief and improve their daily living. If you're experiencing symptoms of BPPV, don't hesitate to seek help and take control of your health.
FAQ
What causes BPPV?
Most cases of BPPV are idiopathic however, some of the other known causes are trauma to the head, ear surgery and inner ear disorders.
What assessments would a physiotherapist do for BPPV?
The physiotherapist will first consult with you to get a better idea of the potential problem that you are dealing with. Based on the consult, the physiotherapist will decide on the type of assessment to be performed. The common assessment is called a Dix Hallpike maneuver which is used to diagnose posterior canal BPPV.
What treatments would a physiotherapist do for BPPV?
The type of treatment you receive will depend on the type of BPPV you are diagnosed with. A common treatment for those who have tested positive in the Dix Hallpike maneuver is called the Epley maneuver. One of the benefits of this treatment is that you can do a modified version on your own at home or at work!