BPVV- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Vertigo is the sudden sensation of spinning, falling or the feeling that the inside of your head is spinning. It could even be a tilting or unbalanced feeling. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is the most common type of vertigo with brief episodes of mild to intense dizziness. It may get triggered by changes in the head position. It might hit you when you move your head up and down, when you lie down, or when you turn over or sit up in bed.

What causes BPPV?

• Inner ear imbalance
• Minor to severe blow to your head
• Disorders that damage your inner ear
• Migraines

Your ear and your sense of balance

Your ear contains structures that monitor the rotation of your head. The structures in your ear are related to your sense of gravity. If these structures get dislodgedor damaged, it can make you sensitive to gravity.

This causes the semicircular canal to become sensitive to head position changes making you feel dizzy.

Symptoms of BPPV

• Dizziness
• Spinning sensation
• Loss of balance
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Unsteadiness
• Abnormal rhythmic eye movements

The symptoms can last between a few seconds to longer periods. The frequency of episodes may become more over a period of time or they may decrease and disappear.

When to see a doctor

Many people experience BPPV vertigo and it is generally not very serious. But you should see a doctor if you experiencethese symptoms:-

• Recurrent episodes
• Severe or prolonged dizziness
• Severe headache
• Fever with dizziness
• Double vision or loss of vision
• Hearing loss with Tinnitus
• Trouble speaking
• Leg or arm weakness
• Loss of consciousness
• Falling or difficulty walking
• Numbness or tingling

Treatment for BPPV

BPPV can be treated quite easily in the ENT‘s office by moving the loose crystals in your ear into a spot that will cause less trouble. You may have to rest in the office for about 10 minutes before you can go home to make sure you don’t have any quick episodes of vertigo as the crystals resettle.

Very rarely, you might need surgery to cure the problem. It involves plugging part of your inner ear to prevent the small calcium crystals from moving in your ear canal.

 

Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.

Chennai – 044 4000 6000 • Trichy – Cantonment – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Heartcity – 0431 4003500 • Trichy – Tennur – 0431 4022555 • Hosur – 04344 272727 • Salem – 0427 2677777 • Tirunelveli – 0462 4006000 • Bengaluru – 080 6801 6801