How to tell if I have benign postural vertigo

How to tell if I have benign postural vertigo?

If you have experienced vertigo symptoms like spinning vision or instability then you might be considering the possibility that you have benign postural vertigo; perhaps a friend or family member has suggested this or maybe you have heard about it previously. Benign postural vertigo (BPV) is also sometimes referred to as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV); they are both the same thing.

So what is this BPV anyway?

Well benign positional vertigo is caused by tiny crystals that normally stay in your inner ear somehow become dislodged and these crystals begin to interfere with the normal workings of the ear. Inside your inner ear are structures known as labyrinth structures and within this is a special fluid that the brain uses for determining your body position and to assist with you balance. The brain has little hair like cells that picks up movement in the fluid, so anything that interferes with the fluid can cause problems with the signals; these little crystals do just that. Vestibular system and what is vertigo

How to know if I have BPV?

A general feeling of dizziness can be caused by many things, but if you are having vertigo symptoms then this narrows the number of possible causes down. The vertigo symptoms most often include a spinning sensation that is not caused by something in the environment, nausea and vomiting, and odd involuntary eye movements. Once it is established that you are suffering vertigo symptoms then one of the causes can be BPV but your doctor will need to conduct tests to see if that is indeed the case.

What tests can my doctor conduct to establish if I have BPV?

Your doctor will need to take a full medical history, and conduct a physical examination of your body. You will also likely need to have a neurological examination, and some blood tests. Your doctor will want to rule out some more serious conditions such as stroke or brain hemorrhage so they may well order for you to have some imagery tests such as an MRI or a CT scan. If your doctor suspects benign postural vertigo then you may be asked to sit on the edge of a bed while the doctor performs certain maneuvers while observing the reaction in your eyes and asking you to report any symptoms. How to diagnose vertigo

If I have BPV, how will my doctor treat the condition?

Your doctor might conduct other maneuvers with your head while in the office; this is known as the Epley maneuver and it is designed to try and move the crystals to an area of the inner ear where they won’t cause any harm. Your symptoms may get worse during the procedure; you might feel nausea and the sensation of spinning. After this procedure you will be expected to keep your head upright for twenty-four hours and sit up in a chair; you might also need to wear a soft collar around your neck. It is also likely that your doctor will give you certain medications to help you deal with the worst symptoms such as; spinning vision, vomiting, and feeling faint. Homeopathic treatments can also be really helpful with controlling symptoms. Homeopathic remedies and what you can do with vertigo

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