If records are to be believed, a large percentage of the population has experienced vertigo conditions irrespective of age. Out of which a majority is diagnosed with BPPV vertigo.
Vertigo is not an ailment rather it’s a symptom of various underlying causes, and BPPV is one such condition that results in the occurrence of repeated bouts of vertigo spells in patients.
A sensation of spinning when a person feels he is spinning all by himself or nearby surroundings seems to spin around, which is far from reality along with a loss of equilibrium such a condition is known as vertigo.
It’s not easy to live with vertigo as it may seem to the outside world. A person suffering from vertigo experiences sudden bouts of vertigo spells without any warning signs. It not only creates hindrance in accomplishing daily chores but may sometimes prove to be life-threatening if it appears amidst traffic or while driving a car or lifting weights.
As per medicals, BPPV vertigo is the most common cause diagnosed in patients who are experiencing vertigo conditions. A person experiencing Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo experiences a trigger in symptoms with the slightest movement in the position of the head and change in the position of the body. The world seems to appear blurry with the sudden occurrence of vertigo spells. Nausea and vomiting are often accompanied by BPPV vertigo. Treating the condition on time helps in alleviating symptoms completely.
Mild vertigo conditions are treated well at home with certain vertigo home remedies and practicing various exercises for vertigo regularly at home for up to 3-4 weeks. If the condition becomes severe, seeking medical help is recommended. An expert neurologist will diagnose your condition closely by seeking complete medical history. He will carry some vertigo tests to examine the accurate cause of vertigo. Once you are diagnosed with BPPV vertigo, he will suggest repositioning maneuvers as BPPV treatment and prescribe certain antibiotics to suppress or ease the symptoms of BPPV vertigo.
In this article, we will share a brief overview of what is Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo? Its signs and symptoms? And what triggers the condition even further? Let’s get started!
What is BPPV vertigo?
The deposition of calcium carbonate crystals at one place in the inner ear results in BPPV vertigo. The deposited calcium crystals block the vestibular nerve present in the inner ear that is responsible for sending sensory signals from the inner ear to the brain to regulate the balance of the body, thus making a person lose balance.
The blocked vestibular nerve results in sending unclear or interrupting signals to the brain, which results in making a person experience loss of equilibrium along with vertigo spells where the world seems to blur around.
An inflammation, infection, or disorder in the inner ear, head or neck injury or prolonged bed rest results in causing benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. To prevent recurring episodes of vertigo bouts, it is a must to treat the condition at the right time. Practising certain repositioning manoeuvres like Epley, Barbeque, Brandt Daroff exercise, etc. twice a day regularly for about a month helps in placing tiny calcium stones back in place, thus alleviating symptoms and providing relief. It is advised to practice exercises for vertigo after seeking a doctor’s guidance for the right techniques and postures.
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What are the common signs and symptoms of BPPV vertigo?
A person experiencing BPPV vertigo experiences spinning sensations or a feeling of tilting in one direction without any warning signs. The symptoms of BPPV get triggered due to the slightest movement in body posture or change in the position of the head. Vertigo spells can occur anytime whether you are amidst traffic or stuck in official chores. Spinning sensations may last for a minute or two and subsides on self if the condition is mild. If the condition is severe, symptoms may last for a longer duration or remain persistent, resulting in making a person feel sick in the stomach and feel like vomiting. Repeated episodes of vertigo spells make it difficult for a person to carry out simple daily activities like walking and standing without losing balance. Treating the symptoms on time with exercises for vertigo or BPPV treatment helps in easing the condition. Let’s have a look at some of the common signs and symptoms of BPPV vertigo.
Common benign paroxysmal positional vertigo symptoms:
- Dizziness
- Spinning sensation (vertigo spells)
- Loss of balance or disequilibrium
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Jerky eye movements, known as nystagmus
Slight negligence on your part triggers the condition while making the case complex. Consult the doctor immediately as soon as you start observing any of the symptoms to get yourself diagnosed and get the right BPPV treatment.
What triggers benign paroxysmal positional (BPPV) vertigo even further?
BPPV symptoms can get easily triggered due to certain activities. As BPPV is caused due to deposition of calcium stones in the inner ear, a slight displacement of these crystals triggers the symptoms even further. Certain body movements and changes in the position in the head results in triggering the symptoms even further. Let’s have a look at some of the common conditions that trigger benign paroxysmal positional (BPPV) vertigo:
- Sudden changes in the position of head such as turning your head quickly in a different direction or turning your head back may trigger BPPV vertigo.
- Some patients may experience a sudden stroke of vertigo spells as soon as they wake up in the morning after a long sleep. Rolling over on the bed all night and changing positions results in displacing calcium crystals from its position. It results in making you feel dizzy as soon as you wake up in the morning.
- Sudden body movements and changing positions quickly such as bending down suddenly or standing up suddenly after long sitting hours triggers the symptoms of BPPV even further.
It is advised to work with precautions and move slowly instead of rushing down to prevent your symptoms from triggering further. Seek medical help and consult an expert neurologist on time and get the best BPPV treatment. Make health your priority.