Are you experiencing episodes of vertigo or the sensation of the room spinning? Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV for short is a disorder of the inner ear and is the most common cause of peripheral related vertigo. Vertigo is a complex and disabling condition that affects millions of individuals worldwide. Characterized by a false sense of spinning or movement, it can cause severe dizziness, nausea, and disorientation.
BPPV occurs when crystals in the inner ear become displaced and end up in the semicircular canals, this creates a mismatch in signals and the illusion of vertigo. These vertigo episodes are triggered by movements of the head, and are relatively short in duration, lasting up to a minute. Symptoms can last weeks to months. This condition can have a significant impact on a person's daily life, often leading to difficulties with balance, coordination, and even anxiety or depression.
BPPV primarily affects those over 50 years old, but may occur in any age group, particularly when following a head trauma. The cause of BPPV is unknown, however preceding events such as head traumas, vestibular neuritis, or conditions which affect the vestibular system may contribute.
A physiotherapist or chiropractor can assess and treat BPPV. Diagnosis is made from a clinical history, positional testing with observation of eye movements, and by ruling out other causes. If BPPV is diagnosed your provider can perform positional maneuvers of the head specific to the canal involved to treat the vertigo. Additional assessment of the visual and balance systems can be beneficial to identify any lingering symptoms and can often be treated with vestibular rehabilitation exercises.
If you think you may be suffering from or have been diagnosed with BPPV, book in for a physiotherapy or chiropractic assessment.
- Sidney Wideman, MScPT