BPPV: What is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo?

If you suffer from occasional or frequent vertigo, you may be suffering from benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Chances are that if you are suffering from periodic vertigo, you probably have BPPV, because it is one of the most commonly diagnosed types of vertigo.

Symptoms of BPPV

The symptoms of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo are usually brought on by the position of the head or movement of the head.

Vertigo: Dizziness is episodic, and may last for just a few minutes or for more extended periods of time. The episodes of vertigo may be mild to severe. The vertigo is commonly caused by an imbalance in the inner ear. BPPV may also be caused by an imbalance in both ears. If BPPV is in both ears, it is called bilateral BPPV.

Loss of balance: An individual suffering from BPPV may have such dizziness that s(he) may have difficulty walking due to the spinning sensation in the head. If you have an episode of dizziness while standing, you should get help immediately to sit down, because you may be at risk for falling.

Blurry vision: It is often difficult to see because everything appears to be spinning. You not only feel like you are spinning, but it also looks like the room is spinning with you.

Feeling sick: Nausea and vomiting often accompanies BPPV also due to the spinning sensation. This spinning sensation is extremely uncomfortable.

Signs of BPPV

One of the most common signs of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is rhythmic twitching movements of the eyes, which is medically named nystagmus.

Triggers for BPPV

The most common trigger for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is movement of the head. Lying down, getting up from a lying down position, and turning over in the bed can also trigger an episode of BPPV.

When you should seek medical care for BPPV

You should seek medical care immediately if you have fallen due to dizziness. If you have other symptoms besides vertigo, and nausea, such as numbness or tingling in your extremities, slow heart rate, fast heart rate, shortness of breath, hearing loss, weakness in the arms and legs, or trouble speaking, you should go to the ER. If you have lost consciousness, an ambulance should be called as soon as possible.

Author’s note:

I chose this topic to write about, because my daughter suffers from frequent episodes of vertigo. When she has these attacks of vertigo, she cannot walk by herself. Recently, she got extremely dizzy when she was walking and fell unconscious onto the floor.

I was not able to arouse my daughter. I tried shaking her and calling out to her, and I could not bring her around. The EMT’s did a sternal rub on her and did bring her around in a matter of minutes.

My daughter stated that she could not respond to me, but she did hear me calling her. She said she felt me shaking her, but could not respond to me. She has been to the doctor, and because she didn’t have nystagmus (rhythmic movements of the eyes); she wasn’t diagnosed with this disorder. The search will need to continue for a correct diagnosis for my daughter. I will address the treatment for BPPV in another article.

Source:

Mayoclinic.com

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