BBPV, Vertigo, & Vestibular Dysfunction

Overview:

Does it feel like the world is spinning inside your head? Dizziness is a common symptom causing people to see either their doctor or physiotherapist.

There are many different causes of dizziness. It can often be a result of problems with the upper cervical spine, the vestibular system, the inner ear, a concussion or nerve dysfunction.

People with vestibular or inner ear disorders often experience problems with balance and position or movement-related dizziness. This can impact a person’s ability to change positions (such as lying down) or move about without imbalance and vertigo. Even moderate dizziness may be debilitating.

However, rather than guessing what may be causing this, it’s better to have a trained physiotherapist assess and diagnose the actual cause. At Easthill Physiotherapy, we treat all of these conditions. Our physiotherapists are trained in diagnostic assessment and treatment strategies to determine the cause and appropriate plan of care.

Common Conditions & Symptoms

Vertigo

Vertigo is a condition caused by disorders and issues within the inner ear. People experiencing any of the various conditions of vertigo will feel like they are off balance, dizzy, or the world is spinning around them. Most commonly these conditions are caused from the inner ear, primarily from calcium particles that have been dislodged inside of it. However, it can also be caused by neck or head injuries, medications, or headaches.

Symptoms: Blurry vision, double vision, dizziness, dizziness that comes on with head movement, light-headed or faint, loss of balance, nausea from dizziness.

BPPV or Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

BPPV is a condition of vertigo caused by little inner crystals in your ear that are dislodged out-of-place causing your balance to be off. Onset of BBPV can occur with age and brought on without any known reason.

Symptoms: Blurry vision, double vision, dizziness, dizziness that comes on with head movement, light-headed or faint, loss of balance, nausea from dizziness.

Vestibular Dysfunction

Injuries and disease to your ear can cause vestibular dysfunction. The symptoms are the same as vertigo and BBPV. The difference with this condition from the other is the cause.

Symptoms: Blurry vision, double vision, dizziness, dizziness that comes on with head movement, light-headed or faint, loss of balance, muscle fatigue, nausea from dizziness, increased tension in the shoulder or cervical region.in