Does your head spin regularly like you have a merry-go-round implanted in your brain?- Then this is for you
Now Imagine this, common scenario
You're innocently going about your day when suddenly the world around you transforms into a wacky, spinning carnival ride right. You feel like a human tornado, swirling in a whirlwind of dizziness. Well you see, my friend, you might just be experiencing a phenomenon called Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, or BPPV for short, I condition which I first came to know as a college physiotherapy student so I have a fair amount of experience in this condition. Now first thing first, fear not, because I will proceed to unravel the mysteries of BPPV and take you on a wild journey through its quirks and curiosities.
Now there is a kind of head spin that happens in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, let's check it out
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The Spin on Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
So, what exactly is this "Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo" that has decided to do nothing but crash the party? Well, in very simple terms, it's a condition that causes unexpected episodes of dizziness and vertigo. It's like having a mischievous gremlin (if you don't know the meaning gremlin, please do check) in your inner ear, constantly pulling the strings of your equilibrium. But don't worry, BPPV is not life-threatening—just incredibly inconvenient at times.
Here a short video you aid 👇👇
video by .MUSC health
The Rollercoaster of Sensations
When BPPV strikes unexpectedly, it's like being caught in a bizarre amusement park ride. The world starts to spin around you, and suddenly, you feel like the star of your very own dizziness. It's like doing the tango dance (being trying to learn for a while now) with gravity, but with extra twirls and dips thrown in for good measure. Even the simplest head movements can trigger these episodes, leaving you feeling like a bewildered acrobat that lost his balance mid-air
The Culprits Behind the Madness
Now, let's unmask the possible culprits responsible for this chaos in equilibrium:
1. Misplaced Canaliths: Canaliths, those tiny calcium crystals in your inner ear, play a starring role in BPPV. Sometimes, these troublemakers decide to break free from their designated areas and go on a wild escapade. They float around in the fluid of your inner ear, wreaking havoc and making you feel like you're on a never-ending spin ride.
2. Head Trauma: Remember that time you walked into a glass door because you were too busy admiring your reflection? Well, head injuries can also contribute to BPPV. It's like your inner ear saying, "Oh, you think walking straight is easy? Let me add a twist to that!"
3. Aging Gracefully (or Not): As we gracefully age, our bodies like to throw in a few surprises. BPPV becomes more common as the years go by, like an unwelcome birthday gift that keeps on giving. So, if you're in the golden years of life, congratulations—you have a front-row ticket to the spinning sensation extravaganza!
The Upside-Down World of BPPV Symptoms
Ah, the symptoms of BPPV—those little reminders that life is indeed a circus:
1. The Merry-Go-Round of Dizziness: Dizziness is the star of the BPPV show. It's like your brain is doing a waltz dance while your body tries to keep up (by the way I love the waltz dance, it goes 1,2,3 backward, sideways then forward). Suddenly, the ground beneath your feet transforms into a slippery dance floor, leaving you swaying and stumbling like a confused dancer.
2. Vertigo: Vertigo, the diva of BPPV, takes center stage. It's the sensation that the room around you is spinning, twirling, and doing cartwheels without your permission. You become the bewildered audience member in this dizzying performance, desperately trying to find your balance
3. The Nystagmus Spectacle: Ah, nystagmus, the eye movement extravaganza! During a BPPV episode, your eyes may join the party with their spontaneous, jerky movements. It's like they're auditioning for a role, showcasing their dance moves without any rhythm or coordination.
4. Imbalance Circus: Maintaining balance becomes a tightrope act. You stumble and sway, attempting to navigate the world with grace while feeling more like a clumsy acrobat. Walking in a straight line becomes a daring adventure, testing your agility and ability to resist the pull of the invisible spinning force.
5. Nausea Surprise: And let's not forget the unexpected guest—nausea. BPPV can throw even the strongest of stomachs into a roller coaster parade. It's like your body's way of joining the dizzy festivities, adding a touch of stomach-churning excitement to the already spinning extravaganza.
Embracing the Vertigo Circus
Now, you might be thinking, "How can I possibly manage this spinning situation before actually going to a hospital for you know, some checkup or confirmation? And yes before I Talk about possible diagnosis and treatment for BPPV physiotherapy-wise and some non-physiotherapywise which I would be doing in my next posts, so watch out, here is something you can do to aid yourself I would call it Dizzy detective mode:
Dizzy Detective mode: Become a master of detective work and try try to pinpoint the triggers of your dizzy episodes. Is it the dramatic head tilt or the daring hair flip? You might feel like Sherlock Holmes investigating the mysteries of your inner ear actually. This actually aids diagnosis
Inconclusively, there you have it, a quick introduction to BPPV. It is a condition that makes you feel like a human spinning top which may throw you off balance, but it doesn't have to terrorize you permanently, there is always a solution (anything that doesn't have a solution, we just haven't discovered the solution yet). If you would like to know possible solution to this spinning extravaganza induced by BPPV, watch out for my subsequent post where I would be diving into possible diagnosis and treatment for BPPV both physiotherapy-wise and some non-physiotherapywise
Thank for reading this far, till we meet again through the pages of a blog, Sayonara 🖐️
REFERENCES
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/884261-overview
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11858-benign-paroxysmal-positional-vertigo-bppv
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A friend had this and she went to a physiotherapist if I recall, who performed some head maneuvers which made her feel like she was losing all sense of balance and orientation and it was quite scary, but then after the session, and increasingly the next few days, she was cured of all the dizziness she was experiencing. Something about restoring the position of some "crystals" in the ear canal, which you mentioned above.
Yeah that is the power of physiotherapy, no surgery, no drug, just physical manipulation, mobilization together with some physical modalities to help get desired result. I am happy your friend got better.