What Should You Do If You Suffer from BPPV?

If you suffer from vertigo, you know that these episodes are not just deeply unpleasant, they're very worrying as well. You'll want to know why you are suffering from this condition so that you can, if possible, do something to stop it from occurring. Also, you'll want to get treatment and need to know what options you have, but where should you start?

Symptoms of Something Else

Some people think that vertigo is the name of a particular condition, but actually, it is just one symptom of potentially several other conditions. Some of these conditions may lay dormant for an extended period of time before a trigger event which can then bring on vertigo as a symptom.

Understanding  BPPV

One cause of vertigo is an inner ear condition known as BPPV. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is essentially an issue with the inner ear. The structure is particularly complex, with semicircular tubes contained inside a chamber filled with fluid and sensitive sensors. Next to this chamber are other organs that comprise microscopic crystals that help provide balance relative to the position of the head.

Occasionally, these tiny crystals can break free from their usual position, and scientists are not entirely sure why this happens. Once these crystals move into the adjacent canals and come into contact with those sensors, problems can occur. In this case, the sensors will now send an unusual message to the brain in relation to the position of the head. Those signals will not correspond with the signals sent by your eyes to affirm the head's position, and this mismatch will then lead to the symptoms of vertigo.

Triggering Events

The classic symptoms of vertigo are dizziness and the feeling that the room is spinning. Occasionally, these symptoms will be accompanied by bouts of nausea and can be quite distressing. In the case of BPPV, the symptoms will typically not last very long, but they can be triggered when the head (and therefore the inner ear) is turned in a certain direction.

Treating  BPPV

If you are diagnosed with a bad bout of BPPV, your doctor may try to "reset" the crystals. There are certain methods available that will involve laying in a certain position and moving your head through a series of different motions under the supervision of a doctor.

Further Guidance

Of course, BPPV is just one particular type of vertigo, and there are many others. To find out exactly what is wrong in your case, you should talk with a specialist. They will ask you a range of questions about your condition to help them diagnose and suggest a form of treatment.

For more information on vertigo treatment, contact a professional near you.

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