BPPD, Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, is a form of vertigo that consists of brief, harmless vertigo attacks. They are 'benign' attacks that are caused by a change of position. Nevertheless, it is extremely annoying if you suffer from BPPD. The dizziness ensures that you can do nothing for a while, sometimes you feel nauseous and in some cases you have to vomit. Fortunately, there are exercises that can reduce the BPPD. At the practices of Fysi Tilburg we specialize in this peripheral vestibular vertigo. Our specialist physiotherapist explains in this blog post how Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo manifests itself and what you can do about it.
What is positional vertigo?
With BPPD you often become very dizzy for a few seconds to minutes. We see that positional vertigo mainly occurs after a cold, ear infections or prolonged bed rest. Trauma and surgical procedures in people over the age of fifty can also cause you to regularly suffer from Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. If you bend over, look up or back or turn over in bed, this dizziness sets in faster. That's because of the sudden movement your head makes. The dizziness often passes within a few weeks, but it can of course hinder you enormously in your daily life. By performing the right exercises you can make BPD more bearable.
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: you notice this
You get dizzy when you move your head quickly, which can even make you feel nauseous. In some people, this can even result in vomiting. BPPD makes it seem like everything revolves around you. Fortunately, the dizzy feeling disappears after a few seconds to minutes. Eventually, after a few weeks, you will no longer be bothered by Benign Paroxysmal Positional Dizziness. Therefore, try to keep doing what you were doing and move your head normally, even if you are afraid of the dizziness. We do recommend cycling or driving a car, because it is dangerous if you suffer from severe vertigo attacks.
Exercises that help if you suffer from BPPD
Are you looking for exercises that help with BPPD? There's actually one exercise that can help: the Epley move. This movement often helps immediately, but sometimes the attacks of positional vertigo return. It is therefore wise, especially if the Benign Paroxysmal positional vertigo does not disappear after a few weeks, to visit a physiotherapist. Our physiotherapist watches during the BPPD treatment to your performance and gives you instructions, so that you perform the exercise properly from now on. We also give you tips to reduce and prevent dizziness. This makes everyday life a lot more bearable for you.
Make an appointment with one of our specialized physiotherapists
Contact one of us physiotherapist in Tilburg if you are interested in personalized exercises and treatment for BPPD. Our physiotherapists are happy to give you the right guidance, so that you are less often dizzy and the dizziness eventually disappears completely. You can reach us by calling or apping to +31 (0)13 543 58 41 or by sending an email to info@fysi.nl. See you soon at Fysi Tilburg!