Table of contents:
- What are the symptoms benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)?
- What causes benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)?
- How do you deal with BPPV?
- 1. Canal repositioning procedure
- 2. Semont-toupet maneuvers
- 3. Brandt-Daroff Exercises
- 4. Alternative surgery
- 5. Eating gingko biloba
- 6. Vitamin D
- What lifestyle changes or home remedies to control
BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is one of the most common types of vestibular disorders. BPPV appears as a sudden spinning sensation or a feeling like the inside of your head is spinning. This condition occurs due to deposits that form in your inner ear, which disturbs the balance of the body. Check out the full explanation below.
What are the symptoms benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)?
BPPV signs and symptoms may include:
- Dizzy
- Feelings like you or your environment are spinning or moving
- Loss of balance or instability
- Nausea
- Gag
Symptoms benign paroxysmal positional vertigo can come and go and usually only lasts less than a minute. BPPV episodes may disappear over time and then recur.
What causes benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)?
Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, BPPV often has no known cause. This condition is also called idiopathic BPPV.
If the cause is known, BPPV is often caused by a light to severe blow to the head. Less common causes of BPPV are:
- Inner ear disorders
- Damage that occurs during ear surgery or when you are in the supine position for a long time
- Migraine is also frequently associated with BPPV
BPPV is most common in people aged 50 years and over, but this condition can occur at any age. In addition, BPPV is also more common in women than in men.
Head injury or other disturbances to the balance organs of the ear can put you more at risk benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.
How do you deal with BPPV?
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo it can go away on its own in a few weeks or months. However, to relieve BPPV faster, your doctor may perform the following treatments:
1. Canal repositioning procedure
The canalith repositioning procedure (canal) or also called the Epley maneuver. This therapy can control BPPV and can be done with the help of a doctor or done alone at home. The method is as follows:
- Sit upright against the wall with a pillow behind your head and legs outstretched.
- Turn your head 45 degrees to the right.
- Still in the same position, immediately lay down with your head on the pillow. Hold the position, at least 30 seconds.
- Slowly turn your head to the left at a full 90 degrees, without lifting your neck.
- Then, slowly change your body position to the left; sleep lying on the left side.
- Then, return to the original position, which is the supine position and immediately rise to an upright sitting position.
In the first treatment you need to do it with the help of a doctor, then you can do it at home with the help of other people. This treatment can be done three times in a row. you may feel dizzy with every movement and movement. However, the symptoms of vertigo will be reduced a little later.
The goal of BPPV treatment is to move particles from a semicolon-shaped tube filled with fluid in the inner ear to an open area, such as the vestibule (small bag) that holds one of the otolithic organs in the ear.
2. Semont-toupet maneuvers
A series of BPPV treatments are almost the same as menuver Epley, but many studies have concluded that this treatment is more effective. The method is as follows:
- Sit upright against the wall with a pillow behind the head and legs of the egg.
- Then, lie down to your right side and gaze over to your left side.
- Immediately sit down and lie down to the left side with your head still facing the left, looking down.
- Slowly return to starting position, look forward (normal) and sit up straight.
3. Brandt-Daroff Exercises
This exercise is most often recommended for people with BPPV at home, because it is easy to do without supervision. It is not recommended that you do Brandt-Daroff exercises unless you are in a safe place and will not be driving for a while, as doing so can trigger increased dizziness in a short time.
- Start by sitting on a flat surface with your feet dangling, for example on a lounger.
- Lie down and position the body to the right side but head to the left. Hold for 30 seconds and keep your feet still.
- Then, get up to an upright sitting position and head straight back to the front.
This movement can be done 2 times a week. In a day do it 3 times, each set is repeated 5 times.
4. Alternative surgery
In very rare situations where canal repositioning procedures or other therapies are not effective for BPPV, surgical procedures are another treatment the doctor may offer. This procedure is performed using a bone plug to block the part of your inner ear that is causing dizziness.
This plug prevents the semicircular canal in your ear from responding to particle movements or head movements in general. The success rate of a channel copy operation is around 90 percent.
5. Eating gingko biloba
Ginkgo biloba has been studied for its effects on vertigo and has been shown to be just as effective as major prescription drugs for treating vertigo. Gingko biloba extract can be purchased in liquid or capsule form. Taking 240 milligrams of ginkgo biloba daily should reduce your vertigo symptoms and make you feel more balanced.
6. Vitamin D
A study shows that vitamin D deficiency is a condition that worsens symptoms for people who have BPPV. Consuming a glass of milk or orange juice, fish, and even egg yolks will give your vitamin D levels a boost.
Have your doctor check your vitamin D levels so you know if you need more foods that contain vitamin D or supplements.
What lifestyle changes or home remedies to control
If you experience dizziness from BPPV, be aware of the possibility of losing your balance, which can lead to falls and serious injury. To control BPPV, do the following things:
- Sit down immediately when you feel dizzy.
- Use good lighting if you wake up at night.
- As symptoms persist, walk with the aid of a cane for balance if you are at risk of falling.
- Don't forget to have your doctor checked in to manage your symptoms effectively.
BPPV can recur even after successful therapy. Fortunately, even if there is no cure, the condition can be managed with physical therapy and home care.