Dizziness, or vertigo as it is commonly called, may have many causes. One of the most common is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo or BPPV. BPPV is characterized by sudden episodes of dizziness provoked by head movement or a change in position. What leads to the development of BPPV is not fully understood, but it is more common in older adults.
BPPV typically presents as brief bursts of dizziness when rolling over in bed or turning your head quickly. Some symptoms associated with BPPV are nausea and sometimes vomiting, a spinning or rocking sensation, fatigue, or feeling imbalanced. If left untreated, the symptoms may last hours, days, weeks, or even months.
Your local physical therapist can evaluate and treat these symptoms. With appropriate assessment and diagnosis, a simple procedure done in the clinic could be all it takes to treat BPPV. If you or someone you know is currently experiencing BPPV, do not hesitate to contact your local physical therapist with questions or to schedule your vertigo assessment.
Natalie Turnage, PT, DPT