By Jerry Moczerniuk
Dizziness and vertigo are common issues that affect many individuals and often lead to seeking medical care, particularly in the aging population.
There are many causes of dizziness, including a quick drop in blood pressure with positional change, changes in medications, blood vessel problems and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) just to name a few. BPPV is a common and important cause which can easily be treated but is frequently not recognized by professionals.
BPPV is a mechanical problem in the inner ear. It occurs when crystals which are normally embedded in a gel substance become dislodged into semicircular canals of the inner ear. Accumulation of these crystals in the canals of the inner ear may interfere with normal fluid movement within those canals, and result in a false sense of rotation, movement or spinning.
To distinguish BPPV from other disorders, BPPV is typically triggered by changes in head positions or quick head movements. It is important to know that diagnostic tests such as MRI are not effective at diagnosing BPPV because these tests do not pick up on the positioning of “crystals”.
A physical therapist can determine if you have BPPV by performing tests which involve simple head movements. Presence of specific involuntary eye movements during those tests confirm BPPV. Research does not support use of medication in treating BPPV. In most cases BPPV can be corrected through a series of mechanical movements of the head, which help reposition the crystals where they are supposed to be. Properly trained physical therapists can effectively treat BBPV in a relatively short period of time.
Dr. Moczerniuk is a doctor of physical therapy, member of American Physical Therapy Association, and a clinical director at db Orthopedic Physical Therapy of Manalapan, located at 120 Craig Road, Suite 2. Dr. Moczerniuk can be reached at 732-462-2162 or via email at [email protected]. You can also find out more about our practice at dborthopt.com