01/17/2023
Dizziness and balance problems?
Do you wake up with the whole room spinning? Or perhaps you are very dizzy on looking up and down or lying down in bed. You may have BPPV.
BPPV - benign positional paroxysmal vertigo - is a common condition especially in older people. While it is not a serious condition it can interfere with your life and is quite distressing for some people. If it continues for a long time it can lead to a feeling of imbalance , nausea and fear of movement. But you shouldn't have to suffer with this condition for long as there are simple treatments that are almost always effective.
BPPV is due to a problem in the inner ear- tiny crystals move into the wrong part of the inner ear and interfere with the messages being sent to the brain resulting in vertigo.
Vertigo is a specific type of intense dizziness where it feels like the room is spinning. The most common cause of vertigo is BPPV.
Apart from getting older , other things that can make BPPV more likely are - after a concussion , if you have migraines and if you have had an inner ear infection.
Treatment of BPPV involves doing a series of head movements to move the crystals back to where they belong. The most well known manoeuvre is the Epley manoeuvre. If the correct maneuver is done, it usually resolves the vertigo in one or 2 treatments. A Physiotherapist with an interest in balance and dizziness / vestibular conditions can assess and treat BPPV and other problems with dizziness and balance.
Sometimes people look up the treatments themselves or are given a handout by a GP. The problem with this is that they usually don't know which ear it is and which maneuver will work or they don't perform it correctly. It is usually better to get assessed by someone who can show you the right treatment for your particular problem.
Apart from BPPV other conditions can also cause vertigo , dizziness or imbalance and a Vestibular Physiotherapist can help figure this out and suggest exercises that can help.
Caution: If you have new onset of unexplained dizziness you may want to see your GP first. If vertigo or dizziness is accompanied by other symptoms such as speech problems, difficulty moving arms or legs or drooping of the face, seek immediate medical attention.
Sue Bloxsome
Comox Valley Physiotherapy
www.cvphysio.ca
250-338-8121
From recurring back pain to post-surgery rehabilitation, injury treatment and more, the team at Comox Valley Physiotherapy in Courtenay is committed to providing high quality care through a complete range of rehabilitation and therapeutic services.
