Positional vertigo or Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is a condition which is characterized by an episode of sudden vertigo or dizziness when your head is moved about. It can come and go for no apparent reason and you may experience the attack for a minute or a few weeks and then have periods where you have no symptoms at all.
Common triggers include:
-rolling over in bed
-getting out of bed
-lifting your head to look up
What causes it?
Your inner ear which contains a balance system (vestibular system) has a series of fluid filled canals at different angles. When we move our head the rolling of this fluid tells the brain how far, how fast and in what direction the head is moving. With positional vertigo little crystals in the opening of these canals can dislodge and enter the canal. This will interfere with the fluid inside the inner ear and stimulate the feeling of dizziness.
A physiotherapist can use several tests to diagnose benign positional vertigo and to rule out other causes.
After assessment and confirming that you have BPPV, a trained physiotherapist will apply a special technique of a series of gentle head repositioning manoeuvres.
The technique used will relocate the crystals to an area in the inner ear that will not stimulate the feeling of dizziness or vertigo.
Please contact us at Method Physio at info@methodphysiotherapy.ie or on 045-857 444 for further information or consult your G.P.
