Just Diagnosed with BPPV? Here’s what to do Next?

Feeling a bit dizzy, as if the room is spinning, can be quite unsettling. If you’ve recently learned that you have a condition called BPPV (which stands for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo), it’s completely normal to feel a bit confused or worried.

BPPV is a common inner ear issue that can be effectively treated, leading to improved well-being for many.

Know More About BPPV

• BPPV Treatment: Effective Ways to Manage Vertigo
• BPPV Maneuver Guidance System

Understanding the Diagnosis

BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) is a common condition that leads to dizziness or a sensation of spinning. Many people refer to this feeling as vertigo, while others express it as feeling off-balance or simply use the word “chakkar.”

Vertigo is a symptom, not a disease. BPPV is a common cause of vertigo, linked to a minor issue in the inner ear, which serves as the body’s main balance mechanism.

Inside your inner ear, there are tiny calcium crystals that play an essential role in helping you detect body movement accurately. However, sometimes, during a condition known as BPPV, these precious crystals can become dislodged from their usual spot and drift into a space filled with ear fluids. When this happens, the crystals interfere with the fluid movement as your head moves, leading to mixed signals being sent to your brain. This is what causes that unsettling spinning sensation or dizziness you might feel due to these loose crystals.

This dizziness usually lasts for less than a minute and often happens when you:

• Get out of bed
• Turn your head quickly
• Bend down or look up

Although it may feel scary, the dizziness doesn’t last long, and there are ways to treat it.

What to Expect After Diagnosis

One of the great things about BPPV is that it can be treated quite effectively! With the right treatment, most people tend to recover quickly. Your doctor will carry out simple examinations to confirm if you have BPPV. During these tests, watching your eye movements becomes easier as you follow specific head and body positions. If your eyes start moving in quick jerking motions during the testing (this is called nystagmus), it helps the doctor understand where the crystals are moving in your ear.

The videonystagmography (VNG) tool uses special cameras to see those tiny eye movements better, aiding doctors in making a diagnosis. This method allows your doctor to get a more accurate understanding of your condition.

The way the crystals behave and where they are located in your ear leads to the different types of BPPV. If the crystals float freely in the ear, that’s called canalithiasis, while if they get attached to the cupula, a gelatinous structure in the semicircular canal/ inner ear, it becomes cupulolithiasis. With the various patterns of crystal movement seen in patients, there are actually 14 different types of BPPV.

But don’t let that number stress you out! Once your doctor identifies the type you have, they can suggest the right treatment to help you feel your best.

Treatment Options

• Patients with BPPV can undergo specific head and body movements that guide loose crystals in their inner ears back to their proper positions. These techniques are known as repositioning maneuvers.
• Different types of these maneuvers exist because crystals can be located in various sites of the ear. Various repositioning procedures include Epley’s maneuver, Semont maneuver, Barbecue roll, Zuma and Yacovino. When the specific location of the crystal in your inner ear is known through VNG testing, the specific repositioning maneuver can be chosen to treat it.
• The correct maneuver produces effective results which provide immediate positive changes to most patients within a short time span. Steve Smith who is a cricket player recovered from BPPV following an Epley maneuver application which resolved his dizziness swiftly.
• The treatment approach includes no surgical procedures and requires neither needles nor medication. The treatment proves easy to execute with no safety risks and can happen immediately after your diagnosis.

Self-Care and What to Do During a Dizziness Episode

If you suddenly feel dizzy from BPPV, the best thing to do is to sit or lie down right away. This little step helps you stay safe and avoid falling. Take a moment to stay calm; try not to move your head too quickly and just wait for the spinning sensation to pass. The great news is that these dizzy spells usually don’t last long, most are over in less than a minute! If you experience frequent episodes, it’s a good idea to chat with your doctor so they can check if you might need treatment again.

Why Does BPPV Happen (and Can It Come Back)?

Sometimes, small calcium crystals in our inner ear can become detached and end up in the wrong spot within the ear structure. When this happens, they send incorrect signals to the brain, which can lead to feelings of dizziness or vertigo. These tiny crystals can get dislodged for a variety of reasons, including head injuries, long periods of bed rest, certain exercises, or even unusual head positions that might happen during salon visits. Other conditions, such as migraine headaches, Meniere’s disease, and vestibular neuritis, can also play a role. Interestingly, BPPV often occurs without any clear cause in many cases.

The silver lining is that BPPV is completely treatable, and most people start feeling better quickly after the right maneuver is done. However, for some, BPPV can return after a while whether it’s weeks, months, or even years. By understanding what triggers it and learning the signs, you can be better prepared to act early if it happens again!

How Technology and Special Clinics Can Help

Medical advancements have made significant strides in enhancing the precision and comfort of BPPV diagnosis and treatment. Thanks to advanced technologies, healthcare professionals can perform repositioning procedures with improved accuracy through guided system implementations.

Identifying the exact type of BPPV becomes much more manageable with specialized care, as the condition varies based on crystal placement patterns. At NeuroEquilibrium, we conduct thorough balance evaluations to help determine the most suitable treatments and closely monitor our patients’ progress. With these remarkable technologies, the treatment process not only becomes faster and safer but also adapts to meet each individual’s unique needs.

When Should You See a Doctor Again?

It’s crucial to contact your doctor if you experience a recurrence of dizziness or if your symptoms change from their original presentation. Seek immediate medical attention if your symptoms linger without improvement or last longer than usual, especially if you observe additional indicators like hearing loss or constant ear ringing. Consulting a doctor is essential when dizziness interferes with your daily activities.

Conclusion

The initial diagnosis of BPPV often triggers fear due to unexpected episodes of dizziness or spinning. While BPPV is common, it is also highly treatable. A specific diagnosis with a specific treatment can provide rapid relief for many patients. Understanding the processes of the inner ear, combined with effective episode management and appropriate treatment, plays a crucial role in influencing your condition. If your dizziness returns or intensifies, seeking advice from a physician or a specialist in balance disorders is essential.

NeuroEquilibrium  clinics offer professional care using advanced diagnostic tools for safe and efficient BPPV management / treatment therapy. With the right support and steps, you can regain your stability and confidence.

FAQs: Just Diagnosed with BPPV? Here’s what to do Next?