12 Apr Vertigo…BPPV is easily fixable without medication!
Experiencing vertigo? Is the room spinning around you? Does it get worse when you lay down and when you turn your head to one direction?
You may have BPPV. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo is a type of vertigo that results from a fall or a recent infection (especially of the sinuses).
Here is why you are spinning: Your inner ear houses a bunch of sensitive crystals. We need them to understand where we are in space. When these crystals are displaced, we feel off balance because the body no longer understands what side is up, so to speak.
The treatment for this is putting the crystals back where they belong. We do this by positioning them by a series of movements. Although there are several ways to do this that you may find on the internet, it is best to go to a professional. We need to first determine which side we need to work on (if it is done on the wrong side it will exacerbate your symptoms). Then we will have a series of ‘do’s and don’t’s’ to do after the procedure. The stricter you are at adhering to these rules, the quicker you will get better. Thus the home maneuver is not nearly as effective as the one we can use in the clinic. The follow-up is crucial.
Although the procedure may cause vertigo while being performed, it is worth it to get one last exacerbation before we can fix the issue.
See a physical therapist who knows how to fix BPPV for good!