True Story
I have a good friend who recently called me after a trip to the emergency room. He had been experiencing dizziness when looking up, and was scared about what was going on and what it could mean. He went to the emergency room where he was cleared of any immediate life threatening conditions and was told to follow up for a heart and blood screen. When he got home he did not feel any better about what was going on so he put his symptoms in Google and a condition called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo kept coming up. This seemed to match his symptoms, and he also saw that it could be treated by a physical therapist. I got the call to come over and was able to fix his problem and he has not had issues since.
What is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Disorder (BPPV)?
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a disorder of the inner ear causing vertigo, usually with changes in head position. It can occur at any time but is treatable by a physical therapist. It is one of many balance and vertigo issues that people experience and unfortunately have a hard time receiving the right treatment for. Many of the patients I treat with vestibular issues have been dealing with them for months before getting referred to me. They are amazed when I am able to quickly and easily resolve their symptoms.
Symptoms of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Disorder
- Dizziness
- Spinning Sensations when moving the head
- nausea
Dizziness can be a symptom of a serious medical condition; however it is often a symptom of something less serious that still significantly affects your quality of life. If you are experiencing dizziness it is important to be evaluated by a doctor or a physical therapist to determine your unique situation. Then it is important to quickly get to the right healthcare professional to help, a physical therapist in many cases of dizziness.
For more information or to make an appointment, check out our Vestibular and Balance page.