DIZZINESS
BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo)
What is Vertigo?
Vertigo is the feeling of spinning or that the world is spinning around you. It can come and go, and can last from seconds to hours, and sometimes days. You might feel worse if you change positions (ex. rolling over in bed), when you move your head, or if you cough or sneeze.
Vertigo can make it hard to walk - like you are unsteady on your feet. It is common to feel sick to your stomach (nausea) when you have vertigo, and some people may even vomit during an episode of vertigo.
What is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)?
The most common causes of vertigo come from within the inner ear. Deep inside your ear, beyond the ear drum, there is a network of tubes that are filled with fluid. This is called the vestibular system. There are little calcium deposits that float around in this fluid – their job is to communicate to your brain what position your body is in. They help you to remain balanced.
BPPV happens when you have extra/loose calcium deposits floating in the fluid of your inner ear. This can lead to short periods of vertigo when you move your head in certain ways. For many people, BPPV will go away by itself in a few weeks, but treatment can help lessen the symptoms and make BPPV go away faster.
BPPV isn't a sign of a serious health problem.
Symptoms of BPPV
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Feeling like you are spinning, or like the room is spinning around you
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This feeling is worse when you move your head, like when you roll over in bed or look up quickly
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It can feel like you are on a roller coaster
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During an episode of BPPV it can be hard to walk without losing your balance and you may find you have to hold on to things so you don't fall
Diagnoses of BPPV
Your doctor can usually determine the cause of your vertigo by asking you questions about your symptoms and doing a physical exam. If your doctor or nurse suspects BPPV, they may do a special maneuver on you to see if it triggers your vertigo symptoms.
You may need to have a CT scan or MRI of your brain if the cause of your vertigo remains uncertain. Some people may need a hearing test as well.
Treatment
BPPV should go away on its own in a few weeks, but some people need treatment to help it resolve. The best treatment for BPPV is an exercise called the Epley Maneuver. This is a special set of head movements that encourages the floating calcium deposits to settle back into their spot within the inner ear. This exercise can easily be done at home but some people may need the help of a doctor or physiotherapist.
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Some people may need medication to help with the nausea and vomiting that can happen during a BPPV episode.
See your doctor right away if you have vertigo and any of the following:
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New or severe headache
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Fever that is higher than 38°C
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Loss of consciousness
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Changes with your vision such as double vision or blurred vision
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Trouble speaking or hearing
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Weakness in one side of your body
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Facial droop (medical emergency)
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Vomiting