Vertigo when moving your head: Let's talk about BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo)

Have you ever had this happen to you? When you get out of bed in the morning, or when you roll over on the other side of the bed, you suddenly feel like the whole room is spinning around you. You feel nauseous, and you can't even stand up. This is an experience that scares many people. Today we're talking about this sudden vertigo , also known as BPPV, a very common but scary condition if you don't understand it properly.

What is BPPV? Let's understand it from the name itself

Don't be scared by this long English name. Let's simply understand its meaning word by word.

• Benign: This means that this is not a serious illness . It will not cause any harm or danger to your life. That's a huge relief, isn't it?
• Paroxysmal : This means that the dizziness starts suddenly, lasts for a short time (a few seconds to a minute), and then goes away on its own . This means that it is not continuous.
• Positional: This is the most important. This type of dizziness only occurs when you suddenly change the position of your head . That is, when you shake your head, look up, or walk.
• Vertigo: This is different from normal dizziness. Vertigo is a special type of dizziness in which you feel as if the objects around you (the room, objects) are spinning rapidly , even though you are still.

Why does dizziness occur like this? The story of the 'stone powder' in the ear

This is a very strange story. Inside our inner ear, there are tiny calcium carbonate crystals that help control our body's balance. Let's call these "ear stones" for ease of understanding. To be more precise, these are called ``canaliths''.

Normally, these 'stones' are in their proper place. But sometimes (as we age, or get hit in the head), some of these stones break free from their proper place, and travel to the semicircular canals, another fluid-filled tube in the inner ear that helps us sense the movements of our head.

Now think about what happens when you suddenly turn your head, or when you move your head. Those stray heavy 'rocks' float in that fluid with gravity and collect in one place. Even when you stop moving your head, the fluid in your ear is still moving because of those rocks. This sends a false signal to your brain that "you're still spinning." That's why you feel like the whole world is spinning even when you stop moving your head. Got it?

What are the main symptoms of BPPV?

A person with BPPV may experience these symptoms.

Situations where this dizziness may occur

• When tossing and turning in bed
• When getting out of bed or lying down
• When you suddenly stand up from sitting
• When you raise your head to reach for something above you
• When you suddenly reach down to pick up something on the floor
• When you tilt your head back to get your hair washed at a salon

Who is at higher risk of developing BPPV?

BPPV can sometimes occur for no reason at all, but the risk is slightly higher if these conditions are present.

• Age: This is more common in people over the age of 50. This is because as we age, the inner ear becomes weaker, making it more likely that the 'stone dust' will come loose.
• Gender: Surprisingly, women are more likely to develop BPPV than men.
• Head injuries: Even a minor head injury can cause this.
• Other ear diseases: If you have had other inner ear infections such as labyrinthitis.

How does a doctor diagnose BPPV?

When you go to see a doctor, he will ask you about your symptoms. The main test he will do is look at your eye movements.

"The doctor will have you lie down on an examination table, tilt your head back a little, and then suddenly turn you to one side. At this time, he will check if you feel dizzy or if you have that movement in your eyes called ``nystagmus.'' This can confirm the disease 99% of the time."

Sometimes, things like an MRI scan may be done to make sure there isn't another serious cause for this dizziness (for example, a brain problem).

What are the treatments for BPPV?

The good news is that BPPV is a condition that often gets better on its own and can be completely cured with very simple treatments.

The main and most effective treatment for this is to put those misplaced 'ear stones' back in their proper place. There are special exercises (maneuvers) for this.

• Epley Maneuver: This is the most famous, most widely used, and most effective of these. A doctor or physiotherapist can do this. In this, your head and body are held in four specific positions for about a minute. This helps the stone fall back into place. This is a simple procedure that takes about 15 minutes.
• Surgery: Surgery is rarely performed. Surgery is only considered if no other treatment has worked.

When should you definitely see a doctor?

Although normal BPPV is not serious, some symptoms can be a sign of a more serious condition, so be especially aware of this.

BPPV, dizziness, vertigo, Epley maneuver, ear stones, dizziness, balance