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I Suffer From Vertigo BPPV

Vertigo BPPV Treatment

Amongst patients who present with vertigo symptoms, 17-42% of them will be diagnosed with BPPV.  BPPV is easily diagnosed after a history of your symptoms and is confirmed with physical tests, it will rarely require any further investigation.

BPPV is a condition affecting the otolith organs inside your inner ear. These otolith organs are designed to detect the gravitational and acceleration forces in our head during movement so that we can adjust and stay upright. When these organs become impaired, they will detect movements, that are normally fine, and react by causing symptoms of vertigo. This lower threshold for quite severe symptoms of vertigo can be quite debilitating for BPPV sufferers.

Our modern, world-leading techniques are safe, gentle, medication-free and non-invasive, and we expect to see positive results within the first 6 sessions, as we do with 85-90% of our patients. Ready to experience the benefits? Take action today and schedule your initial session for a brighter, pain-free future.

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Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) - Sydney Headache & Migraine Clinic

Understanding Your Symptoms

What are the symptoms of Vertigo BPPV?

Amongst patients who present with vertigo symptoms, 17-42% of them will be diagnosed with BPPV, as will between 11-64/100,000 people in each year. BPPV is easily diagnosed after a history of your symptoms and is confirmed with physical tests, it will rarely require any further investigation. The main symptoms of BPPV that our patients experience are:

Vertigo
Dizziness
Nausea
Vomiting
Nystagmus (rapid, unidirectional beating of the eyes, unnoticed by the patient)

BPPV can be easily diagnosed with physical tests and medical history taken by your health professional. Scans are most often not required. These physical test will assess the structures in your inner ear, which are known to be the cause of BPPV.

Read more about BPPV
Chronic Daily Headache - Sydney Headache & Migraine Clinic

Understanding Your Headache

What causes Vertigo BPPV?

There are two main theories about the cause of BPPV. These theories both speak about abnormal detections triggering abnormal sensations of vertigo, regarding changes in the endo-lymph that flows in the semi-circular canals if the otolith organs. The first theory is the ‘cupulolithiasis model’ that suggests that loose matter in the endo-lymph becomes stuck in the capuli, or the sensory organs that are located in the otolith. The second theory is the ‘canalithiasis model’ which suggests that the capuli detect free-flowing particles in the endo-lymph.

There are two physical tests that can be used to accurately diagnose BPPV. The Dix-Hallpike Test can be used to detect dysfunction in the posterior canal of the otolith, while the supine roll test can be used to assess the horizontal canal. In positive tests; the patient will experience their symptoms of vertigo, and the therapist will observe for signs of nystagmus, or rapid beating of the pupils. In the rare case that the superior semi-circular canal is affected, the Dix -Hallpike test would be positive and the therapist will observe an upward beating nystagmus.

Organise Your Initial Assessment

About The Assessment Stage

What To Expect During The Assessment

1. Comprehensive and in-depth examination

We instigate an in-depth assessment to identify all possible related factors that could be causing your headaches or migraines. The upper cervical spine, in particular, is thoroughly examined to identify possible issues.

2. Ligamental stability and vertebral arterial tests

We undertake careful examination of neck ligaments and vertebral arteries, ensuring only the highest standards of patient safety and comfort.

3. Temporarily reproduce your headache and migraine symptoms

As a part of the treatment process, we apply gentle and selective stress to the upper cervical spine in order to reproduce headache symptoms, which subside after 20-30 seconds. This helps to identify and treat the cause of your headaches.

More about Vertigo BPPV

Living with Vertigo BPPV

A lot of the patients that we see will experience all of the symptoms of BPPV, but the results of their physical tests are unclear, or treatment isn’t as effective as expected. In these cases, it is likely that increased sensitivity in their brainstem is the true cause of their symptoms. The vestibular nerve will send ‘normal’ information to this hyper-sensitive brainstem that is interpreted as a threat, causing the patient to experience vertigo.

Chronic Tension Type Headache

Chronic tension type headache is classified as headache pain being bilaterally on both sides of the head, where pain is usually symmetrical and equal from left to right. Compared to migraines, chronic tension type headache causes mild to moderate pain, and feels more of a tightening and pressing sensation rather than a pulsating pain.

Chronic Tension Type Headache Explained

Hemicrania Continua

Hemicrania continua is usually a more severe headache that typically affects one side of the head. The headache does not shift from side to side, and is usually locked on one side unilaterally. This headache is present all the time with no pain free periods. Pain is usually a moderate pain in nature, however tends to have severe spikes of pain throughout the day.

People who suffer from this headache may also experience autonomic features such as a watery eye, swollen or droopy eye-lid, redness in the eye, block or runny nose. Migraine like symptoms can also occur such as sensitive to light, sound or smell, nausea and vomiting.

I’ve tried it all, is there anything else that can help my BPPV?

Treating Vertigo BPPV

The gold-standard treatment for the most common type of BPPV, posterior canal, is the Epley Manoeuvre. This technique places the patients head in a series of different positions, placing shifting matter and endo-lymph through the semi-circular canals. This manoeuvre is commonly taught to patients to be performed regularly at home.

The patients that we see at Brisbane Headache & Migraine Clinic have often had mixed results with the Epley Manoeuvre, have tried various medications and some have even tried surgical intervention. They sometimes have mild results, but it is often short-lived. This is because they often haven’t been thoroughly assessed to determine if a sensitised brainstem is the true cause of their symptoms.

If we assess you and can determine that, yes, the brainstem and upper cervical spine are the true cause of your BPPV then we can start treatment right away.

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