Do you ever feel dizzy or feel as though the room is spinning, swaying, or moving? This sensation can be caused by Vertigo. Vertigo is a common condition affecting the inner ear and can lead to the inability to complete the simplest of daily tasks. Benign paraoxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is one of the most common causes of vertigo. In fact, vestibular problems affect over 35% of people age 40 years and older. Many people with this problem are often unaware of how easy it is to treat.
What is BPPV?
The inner ear is made up of a vestibular labyrinth. This includes three fluid filled semicircular canals that sense rotation of the head and the otolith organs (called the utricle and saccule) which monitor head movements (up/down, right/left, back/forth) and the head’s position related to gravity. The otolith organs contain tiny crystals that can become dislodged and move into the semicircular canals. The semicircular canals then become sensitive to changes in head position that they would normally not respond to. This causes dizziness.
Symptoms of Vertigo and BPPV
The signs and symptoms of vertigo and BPPV include:
- Dizziness
- Imbalance or unsteadiness
- Feeling of the room spinning (vertigo)
- Difficulty concentrating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Visual problems
These symptoms can come and go, usually last less than a minute, and are brought on by activities that result in changes in head position.
Symptoms You Should Not Ignore
If your vertigo is accompanied by any of the following, you should consult with you doctor immediately as these may suggest another more serious problem:
- Headaches
- Loss of hearing
- Fever higher than 101° F
- Loss of vision
- Loss of consciousness
- Numbness, tingling, or leg/arm weakness
- Difficulty talking
What Should You Do?
There are several Do’s and Don’ts you should follow if you suffer from vertigo BPPV). Do move slowly when changing positions from sitting to standing or from lying down to sitting up. Do sit on the edge of the bed for a few minutes upon sitting up. Do not start walking if you are dizzy upon standing up. Do sit or stand up slowly to reduce sudden changes in blood flow in the head which can cause feelings of light headedness and contribute to a drop in blood pressure with a change in position (orthstatic hyportension).
The right treatment can completely eliminate symptoms of vertigo, BPPV, and dizziness. Our therapists are trained in specialized positioning exercises to reposition the dislodged crytstals. We can usually completely eliminate the symptoms associated with BPPV after only 1 or 2 visits! You or your family member do not need to suffer any longer. You can find fast acting relief. There is a quick, painless, and affordable solution. Call us now at 1-800-930-8803 to find out if you are a candidate for our revolutionary balance treatment.
