Your Physiotherapist or Doctor can treat this condition by moving your head through a number of different positions. BPPV The aim is to move the crystals back out of the canal where they will be reabsorbed by your body. Your physiotherapist may have given you the diagnosis This treatment is very effective. Many people have of BBPV. BPPV stands for Benign Paroxysmal Positional complete resolution of symptoms in one treatment. Vertigo. It is a very common condition, particularly in However, the problem can recur in up to 30% of peo- people who are elderly or have suffered head trauma. It ple, so you will usually be given a home program so accounts for around 50% of people over the age of 65 that you can manage yourself if the dizziness returns who complain of dizziness. any time in the future. You may need to perform some balance exercises to treat any remaining bal- What causes BPPV? Located in each inner ear are 3 semicircular canals, filled with fluid, which detect the movements of your head. From them messages are sent to the brain, which makes compensatory eye movements so that your vision remains stable during head movements. These canals also play a part in helping you balance. Without this system you would be very unsteady and your vision would be blurred whenever you move your head, even in walking, and you would feel very dizzy and sick. ance problems once the BPPV has been resolved. In part of this system there are little calcium carbonate crys- Following treatment by your Physiotherapist it is im- tals which are stuck in a thick jelly-like substance. These portant to follow the directions provided. This usually crystals can detach from the jelly substance (through a involves not putting your head down or lying down blow to the head, or just spontaneously) and fall into any of until you are ready to go to bed that night. It is not the canals. Whilst in the canals the crystals change the unusual for people to feel an exacerbation of their way the fluid moves in the canal and therefore give false dizziness on the day they have been treated. information to your brain about the movement of your head. This can cause symptoms of dizziness and vertigo when your head is in certain positions. Please contact your physiotherapist the number below if you have any concerns at all. Typically people with BPPV note that their symptoms are provoked by rolling over in bed, lying down, standing up, bending over or looking up. The symptoms usually last for PHYSIOTHERAPY DEPARTMENT less than one minute. Often problems with imbalance, particularly whilst walking, are associated with this condi- Princess Alexandra Hospital tion. Ipswich Road Woolloongabba This condition is diagnosed by a test called the Hallpike-Dix Phone 07 3240 2401 which involves moving you from a sitting position to lying Fax 07 3240 7207 down with your head over the edge of the bed. PHYSIOTHERAPY DEPARTMENT A USEFUL EXERCISE FOR TREATMENT OF BPPV Always follow any instructions and advice given to you by your treating Physiotherapist or Doc- BPPV tor. However this exercise may be of use. Start sitting over the edge of the bed Turn your head 450 to the left Quickly lie onto your right side B P P V Stay in this position until the dizziness stops plus 30 seconds If you have no dizziness, remain for 30 seconds E A O E N R S R I G N O X Y S M A L I T I O N A L T I G O Sit up, again wait for dizziness to stop plus 30 seconds Repeat to the opposite side i.e. turn head to the right 450 and quickly lie down to the left PHYSIOTHERAPY DEPARTMENT Princess Alexandra Hospital Stay in this position until the dizziness stops plus 30 seconds Repeat the entire cycle 5-10 times Do this 3 times per day Ipswich Road Woolloongabba Phone 07 3240 2401 Fax 07 3240 7207 Continue until you have been symptom free for two consecutive days P D P H 2 H E R O 0 Y P I S 0 S A N P 7 I O R T C E I T T H E R A P Y M E N T S S A L E X A N D R A A L