There are a few different forms of vertigo, with the most common being Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo or BPPV. The meaning of the term BPPV is: without malignancy (benign), sudden and intense symptoms (paroxysmal), related to a specific position (positional), and the main symptom is Vertigo. BPPV occurs when the otoconia, which are free-floating calcium carbonate crystals in the ear canals of the inner ear, are displaced and send false signals to the brain about the relation of your body in space. The cause of BPPV is unknown, it usually affects older adults, and it is twice as common in women as in men.
Typically, the positions that provoke BPPV symptoms include rolling over, looking upwards, washing your hair, turning your head to the side, or reaching for an object on the floor. Activities that bring about the symptoms of BPPV vary from person to person but are almost always brought on by a change in the position of your head. Some people also feel out of balance simply when walking or even standing still. Episodes of vertigo with BPPV tend to last less than a minute and can disappear for a decent amount of time and then recur.
BPPV is a specific form of vertigo that can actually be treated by Physical Therapists. They are able to offer comprehensive tests to determine if you may be suffering from BPPV and if so, can help you resolve your symptoms. During the tests, your physical therapist will examine your eyes for involuntary rapid eye movements that can give them a clue as to which canal of the inner ear is affected. If your physical therapist finds that you have BPPV, treatment can begin immediately. Your physical therapist will work to relocate the otoconia to their correct location, thereby significantly and immediately decreasing or resolving your symptoms.
At ENT Specialists our goal is always for our patients to be able to get back to doing what they love and living their life symptom-free. Our dizziness and balance treatment services include a comprehensive evaluation by our physicians to determine the cause of the balance disorder, specialized in-office testing to help with a diagnosis, management with medication, and coordinated care with our vestibular physical therapy team at FYZICAL® Dizziness & Fall Prevention Centers at ENT Specialists, Inc. #Pt #VertigoVestibularRehabilitation
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