BPPV and Vertigo, How to Find Relief - Blog

BPPV and Vertigo: The Connection and How to Find Relief

BPPV and vertigo

BPPV is a condition affecting the inner ear where the body’s balance system, also known as the vestibular system, gets damaged leading to confusion in the brain and sensations of the world spinning around you with sudden changes of position. These episodes can last anywhere from seconds to minutes, to days and even months. Some other common symptoms include nausea, hearing loss, balance loss and vision problems

First Line Management

Physiotherapists can assess for the presence of BPPV with several positional changing assessments. The Dix-Hallpike test can be used to assess BPPV in the anterior and posterior canals and the supine head roll can be used to assess for BPPV in the horizontal canal. If a dysfunction has been determined, physiotherapists can perform the Epley Maneuver or the Barbecue Roll to help with treatment. These maneuvers can then be prescribed for home management.

How Does It Occur?

The onset of BPPV can vary with some causes being idiopathic, from head trauma, or from keeping the head in the same position for too long. Anatomically, small crystals from one balance sensing system of the inner ear enters the other system leading to this confusion in position sense. BPPV can spontaneously resolve but unless its successfully treated we risk reoccurrence.