Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) are spells of dizziness brought about when the head is in certain positions. Many times BBPV is noticed when getting out of bed. This problem is due to inner ear complications. BPPV can affect adults of any age, but is mainly seen in seniors. The severity of this condition can affect each individual differently, and could lead to fall and safety risks. The American Physical Therapy Association describes BPPV as occurring when:
“pieces of calcium carbonate material (often called “ear rocks”) break off from a part of your inner ear (the utricle) and move to another part of the inner ear. When you move your head a certain way, the crystals move inside the canal and stimulate the nerve endings, causing you to become dizzy. The crystals may become loose due to trauma to the head, infection, conditions such as Meniere disease, or aging, but in some cases there is no obvious cause.”
Symptoms may include:
- Dizziness
- Loss of balance or unsteadiness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- A sense that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving (vertigo)
How Can Physical Therapy Help?A Physical Therapist can help you recover from BPPV with certain techniques such as the Epley maneuver, and the Sermont maneuver. As BPPV can be a reoccurring condition, the Physical Therapist can show you different exercises in order for the “ear rocks” to reposition into the correct portion of the inner ear. Usually it can be significantly improved in only 1-3 treatments!Call Mathis Physical Therapy & Hand Center to schedule an appointment! (785)539-9669 Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BBPV) Symptoms. (n.d). Retrieved February 03, 2017, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vertigo/basic/symtpoms/con-20028216Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BBPV). (2016, December 30). Retrieved February 03, 2017. From http://vestibular.org/understanding-vestibular-disorders/types-vestibular-disorders/benign-paroxysmal-positional-vertigo