BPPV, Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, is a form of dizziness that consists of short-lived, harmless attacks of dizziness. They are 'benign' attacks that are caused by a change in position. Nevertheless, it is extremely annoying if you suffer from BPPV. The dizziness means that you cannot do anything for a while, sometimes you feel nauseous and in some cases you have to vomit. Fortunately, there are exercises that can reduce BPPV. At the practices of Fysi Tilburg we specialize in this peripheral vestibular dizziness. In this blog post, our specialized physiotherapist explains how Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo manifests itself and what you can do about it.
What is positional dizziness?
With BPPV you often feel very dizzy for a few seconds to minutes. We see that positional dizziness 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 occurs more quickly. This is due to the sudden movement your head makes. The dizziness often goes away within a few weeks, but it can of course hinder you enormously in your daily life. By performing the right exercises you can make BPPV more bearable.
Benign Paroxysmal positional dizziness: this is what you notice
You get dizzy if you move your head quickly, which can even make you feel nauseous. In some people this can even result in vomiting. BPPV makes it seem like everything revolves around you. Fortunately, the dizzy feeling disappears after a few seconds to minutes. Ultimately, after a few weeks you will no longer suffer from Benign Paroxysmal Positional Dizziness. Therefore, try to continue doing what you are doing and move your head normally, even if you are afraid of dizziness. We do recommend cycling or driving a car, because it is dangerous if you suffer from severe attacks of dizziness.
Exercises that help if you suffer from BPPV
Are you looking for exercises that help with BPPV? There is actually one exercise that can help: the Epley movement. This movement often helps immediately, but sometimes the attacks of positional dizziness 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 BPPV treatment to your performance and gives you instructions so that you can perform the exercise correctly from now on. We also give you tips to reduce and prevent dizziness. This makes daily life a lot more bearable for you.
Make an appointment with one of our specialized physiotherapists
Contact one of ours physiotherapist in Tilburg if you are interested in personalized exercises and treatment for BPPV. Our physiotherapists will be happy to provide you with the right guidance, so that you feel dizzy less often and that the dizziness eventually disappears completely. You can reach us by calling or texting +31 (0)13 543 58 41 or by sending an email to info@fysi.nl. See you soon at Fysi Tilburg!