Every year millions of people experience vertigo, or a spinning sensation that can be very problematic. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo or BPPV is often the cause. It is estimated that 9 out of 100 adults will be affected by BPPV. BPPV is benign, meaning it is not life-threatening. It is also paroxysmal and positional, meaning it occurs suddenly and with a change in head position.
What is BPPV?
You have calcium carbonate crystals or otoconia naturally present in your utricle, part of your inner ear. With BPPV these crystals break off and travel into another part of your inner ear called your semicircular canals. Your semicircular canals
detect rotational movement. When the crystals stimulate the fluid in the semicircular canal, false signals are sent to the brain and you experience vertigo and nystagmus (involuntary eye movements).
What causes BPPV?
The most common cause of BPPV in people under 50 years old is head injury. It is thought that the concussive force displaces the otoconia. In people over the age of 50, BPPV is usually idiopathic, meaning that it occurs for no known reason. Researchers believe BPPV may be due to age-related degeneration of the otolothic membrane. Other known causes are Meniere’s disease, viruses, and long periods of inactivity. Risk factors include age, head injury, diabetes, and osteopenia/osteoporosis.
How is BPPV Diagnosed?
BPPV is diagnosed based on medical history and physical exam. Your physical therapist will do positional testing on you and look for nystagmus, or involuntary movements of your eyes. Based on the results of this testing, your therapist can determine if you have BPPV and what type of BPPV you have.
How can physical therapy help BPPV?
There is no medication that cures BPPV. Your doctor may initially prescribe a medication that helps with the symptoms, but it does not affect the cause of the BPPV. Fortunately, most people respond to a technique done by physical therapists called canalith repositioning. The goal of canalith repositioning is to move particles from the semicircular canals back to the utricle where they belong and do not cause vertigo. These procedures are usually effective in 1-2 treatments. Since this treatment is easy and effective, there is no need to suffer from the debilitation caused by BPPV. Chances are you or someone you know has suffered from BPPV. If you think this is the case, consult with a physical therapist. One or two visits to see them can impact your life greatly! Contact us TODAY!
