You’re sitting at your office cubicle, and a coworker calls your name from a few feet away. You turn your head to answer them – when, suddenly, you get the strange feeling that the room around you is spinning. If you’ve ever experienced this kind of vertigo, you know how disorienting it can be. While vertigo can have many causes, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) may be to blame for your episode. While BPPV isn’t necessarily a serious problem, it can be disorienting – and, in some cases, dangerous. But how do you know if you have BPPV, or another kind of vertigo? To find out, let’s explore BPPV symptoms.
BPPV Symptoms
What Is BPPV?
Per the Mayo Clinic, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV, is one of the most common causes of vertigo. BPPV is characterized by brief episodes of dizziness, which can be mild or intense. BPPV episodes are typically triggered by changes in the position of your head – like when you’re turning around to answer a coworker, or shifting your position while lying in bed. Ultimately, BPPV is the result of a problem in the inner ear. The inner ear contains tiny calcium “stones,” which help you maintain your sense of balance by shifting when you move your head. But if those stones move out of the inner ear’s semicircular canal, it can throw your sense of balance off and cause vertigo.
BPPV Symptoms
As mentioned above, BPPV involves sudden episodes of vertigo. If you’ve never experienced an episode, the unexpected onset can be very frightening. Do your best to stay calm, as you may experience any of the following symptoms:
- Sudden vertigo, or the feeling that you or your surroundings are spinning
- Loss of balance, which can lead to falls
- Nausea or vomiting
- Abnormal rhythmic eye movements
How Long Do BPPV Symptoms Last?
The goods news is that BPPV symptoms typically come and go quickly, with each episode only lasting about a minute or less. Episodes can recur frequently, or they might disappear for a while before recurring. If you’re experiencing longer episodes of vertigo for an extended period of time, you may or may not have BPPV. Fortunately, BPPV is fairly easy to diagnose, and very treatable through several easy, noninvasive in-office procedures.
Treating BPPV
BPPV is an easily treatable condition. If you decide to connect with a dizziness and balance specialist, your doctor will likely implement one of two in-office procedures to treat your symptoms. The first procedure is known as the Epley maneuver. If your doctor opts for this procedure, they will gently tilt your head in a series of different directions to help your inner ear achieve better equilibrium. During the second procedure, known as the Semont maneuver, your doctor will work with you to quickly turn your head in a designated pattern to alleviate your symptoms.
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While BPPV can subside with time, a doctor can help treat your symptoms quickly and effectively. If you notice the onset of BPPV symptoms, make sure to reach out to a specialist to prevent falls and other vertigo-related accidents.
Are you struggling with dizziness or balance issues? Have you been in an accident due to your dizziness or vertigo? Reach out to the professionals at the National Dizzy & Balance Center. We specialize in diagnosing and treating vestibular disorders, including concussions and vertigo. Our talented team members can evaluate the extent of your condition and design a personalized plan to relieve your symptoms. To learn more about our approach to vertigo treatment, please contact us online or by phone. Or if you’re ready to get started, schedule your free medical consultation today.
