I feel dizzy! What is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) and how therapy can help?

Have you ever felt like your room is spinning but it only starts when you lay down, stand up, or sit down? 

Do you have balance problems, nystagmus (involuntary rapid eye movement), dizziness, and lightheadedness?  If you have any of these symptoms, you may suffer from vertigo. 

The most common cause of vertigo is Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and is a result of a problem within the inner ear.    The anatomy of the inner ear has two main structures known as the cochlea, a structure responsible for hearing, and the vestibular apparatus, a structure that helps one’s balance, stability, and spatial orientation. The vestibular apparatus has three semicircular canals that help detect motions at an angle and two organs known as the utricle, an organ that controls motions going backwards and forwards, and saccule, an organ that helps with motions going up and down.  These organs have hair cells with gelatinous material and calcium carbonate crystals, known as Otoconia, that are attached to the surface.  The sensation of movement and rotation comes from crystals in your ear canal becoming dislodged and going into one of the semicircular canals that change with head position.  The sensory receptors trick the brain causing nausea, headaches, and vertigo.  

One method of treatment for BPPV is medication for vestibular suppressant.  Usually this can reduce some symptoms such as dizziness but the medication is not a cure.  The most common and fastest way to treat BBPV is called canalith repositioning and is a technique done by physical therapists to move the otoconia out of the semicircular canals.  The physical therapist does an in-depth evaluation to find out which canal the otoconia is in and based on the assessment the doctor can determine which maneuver is best for the patient’s specific needs.   

If you know someone or suspect yourself of having BPPV reach out to our Wellworks Physical Therapy team so we can properly assess you or your loved one! 

Reference  

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV): Treatment, symptoms & causes. Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Retrieved November 20, 2022, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11858-benign-paroxysmal-positional-vertigo-bppv  

Goodman, C. C., & Marshall, C. (2017). Pathology for the physical therapist assistant. Saunders.  

Lazaro, R. T., & Umphred, D. A. (2021). Umphred's neurorehabilitation for the physical therapist assistant. SLACK Incorporated.