What Is BPPV?

Do you get dizzy when you roll in bed? How about when you tip your head back when you wash your hair? If the answer is yes, then you might have BPPV.

BPPV stands for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo and is a diagnosis that is associated with the vestibular system. The vestibular system is an inner working of canals within your ear filled with fluid and crystals that help your body to determine where it is in space. Sometimes the crystals can float into the wrong canals and cause increased symptoms of dizziness. Most people with this diagnosis tend to complain of dizziness when sitting up after lying down, tilting head back to wash or dry hair, and bending forward to pick objects up. Any movement that involves tilting the head in relation to the body can incite this dizziness. The dizziness is often described as a significant spinning that can be compared to the spinning you feel after being on a carousel.

This event can occur for anyone and is typically a very sudden onset. Although it can occur at any age, it is more common to occur in the geriatric population.

The treatment for this diagnosis is simple and can be performed by a trained physical therapist. The treatment consists of a therapist evaluating eye movements while the patient reports symptoms with physical therapist turning their head in certain positions to return crystals back to the correct canal. Symptoms are often significantly reduced to completely dissipated within 1-2 treatments and do not require any follow-ups once symptoms have been alleviated.

If symptoms involving significant dizziness that occur suddenly, then ask your doctor about BPPV and receive a referral to physical therapy to receive treatment for quick relief. The physicians and physical therapists at MMI work collaboratively to get you on the road to recovery faster and easier than ever before. Learn more at mmidocs.com or call 301-694-8311. Choose exceptional care close to home.