March 17, 2011

Exercise and Treatment for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

Posted in Category : Common Ailments

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo or BPPV symptoms are usually observed on account of the accumulation of debris in the inner ear. These debris which are found in parts of the inner ear are also referred to as ear rocks. As per the benign paroxysmal positional vertigo BPPV information available these ear rocks are primarily composed of crystals of calcium. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo BPPV is also known to be one of the most common causes of dizziness which is mostly observed in children. Some of the other symptoms of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo BPPV are vertigo, imbalance, light-headedness and so on.

In fact some people have also stated that there are some activities or movements that bring on the symptoms of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo BPPV such as changing the position of one’s head suddenly or even getting up from bed. Similarly women who are suffering from benign paroxysmal positional vertigo BPPV have noticed that using the shampoo bowl at a parlor may also trigger the symptoms of this medical condition along with other activities such as yoga and Pilates. The symptoms of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo BPPV are known to follow an intermittent pattern wherein they may last for a few weeks then disappear and then come back again. Some of the causes of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo BPPV are degeneration of the vestibular system of one’s inner ear as well as other viruses that are known to affect the ear such as Meniere’s disease and vestibular neuritis.

In some rare cases the symptoms of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo BPPV may also be observed after a surgery especially dental surgery. Some of the other causes of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo BPPV are nerve inflammation, side effects of certain medications, advancing age and so on. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo BPPV treatment also includes practicing certain exercises such as the Brandt Daroff exercise which is required to be practiced by the individual at least two to three times in a day. This benign paroxysmal positional vertigo BPPV exercise treatment is performed by first sitting on the edge of a couch or a bed and then to quickly lie down on ones side. The person should ideally lie down on the side which they tend to feel most nauseous on. They should then continue to lie down for around 30 seconds till the symptoms seem to disappear. Thereafter they should sit up and again repeat this exercise lying down on the other side.

Another one of the benign paroxysmal positional vertigo BPPV is the Semont Maneuver which should ideally be performed by the doctor himself. To perform this exercise, the patient is required to sit up straight in the bed and then have the doctor to tilt their head sideways towards the ear that is not affected with vertigo and the accumulation of debris. The patient should then lie on the bed ensuring that the ear that is affected is facing upwards towards the ceiling. After lying down for around three minutes one should lie on the opposite side of their head. While sitting back up, the doctor or someone else should be supporting the head. Throughout this benign paroxysmal positional vertigo BPPV exercise treatment the movements should be quick so as to ensure that the debris that have accumulated move to a safer part of one’s ear canal where they should not cause any problem. Similarly the Epley maneuver is also an important exercise for the benign paroxysmal positional vertigo BPPV treatment. This exercise is considered to be simpler and safer than the Semont although they are quite similar and follow the same principle.