Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

Treating Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is a condition characterized by dizziness, which can also cause feelings of lightheadedness, nausea, and imbalance. This unsteadiness can disrupt your ability to engage in normal daily activities and can put your safety at risk. BPPV treatment, provided by a skilled member of the Chesapeake Ear Nose & Throat team in Baltimore, MD, can help relieve your symptoms. We aim to completely restore your comfort, independence, and quality of life.

Characteristics of a BPPV Episode

The inner ear sends signals to the brain to sense head motion. If otoconia, or ear rocks, enter the canal, they can inhibit normal fluid movement and result in false signals which lead to vertigo. The primary characteristics of BPPV can be found in the name of the disorder itself. For example:

• Benign: The condition is not life-threatening
• Paroxysmal: It occurs in brief and sudden spells
• Positional: Positioning or moving the head in a certain way can trigger symptoms
• Vertigo: Patients experience a sense of rotational movement when they are still

Unfortunately, there is really no pattern for knowing who will be affected by BPPV. In most cases, there is no apparent cause. Many patients simply report getting out of bed one day and becoming dizzy. BPPV is quite rare in children, but can affect adults at any age.

Professional Treatments

There are surgical and non-surgical options for treating BPPV. Typically, office treatments will be attempted first, which involve specific maneuvers intended to move ear rocks to a more desirable location. The Semont maneuver, or the liberatory maneuver, requires the patient to lay on one side and rapidly shift to the other side. Because of its brisk and harsh movements, this treatment is not widely used in the United States. The Epley maneuver, however, which is essentially a modified version of the Semont, is more commonly performed. In this case, the head is sequentially placed in four different positions. Each position is maintained for approximately 30 seconds.

Non-surgical treatments are effective at relieving the symptoms of approximately 80 percent of all BPPV cases.

After each of these treatments, your doctor will provide you with instructions for exercises to complete at home. These guidelines should prevent the ear rocks from shifting back into the sensitive portions of the canal. These non-surgical treatments are effective in approximately 80 percent of all BPPV cases. If the maneuvers do not yield acceptable results, surgical intervention may be recommended. Posterior canal plugging blocks the posterior canal’s function, relieving symptoms without affecting other parts of the ear.

Treating BPPV at Home

If you suddenly find yourself experiencing vertigo or nausea from BPPV, there are a few things you can do at home to reduce the negative sensations. These tips include:

• Prop yourself up on at least two pillows while sleeping
• Do not bend or lean over to pick things up
• Avoid tilting your head too far back
• Avoid sleeping on the side that is giving you problems
• Do not lean too far back when reclining
• Use caution when playing sports that require you to turn your head, lean over, or lie flat on your back

Learn More About Causes and Symptoms

If you think you could have BPPV, schedule a consultation with one of our doctors at Chesapeake Ear Nose & Throat. Give us a call at (410) 391-1118 or contact us online.

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