Most of us have experienced coming off a carousel when we were little, with the associated fits of laughter and euphoric feeling of disorientation, dizziness and loss of footing.
But if the world is spinning around you from turning your head to check the clock, the assault can be quite distressing.
If you have ever experienced any of these symptoms or others including being unbalanced, light-headedness, headache, sweating, pain, ringing in the ears or nausea you could be suffering from vertigo (Health direct, 2017).
Cause
There are different causes of vertigo, the most prevalent is characterised as a disturbance to your vestibular system and accounts for a third of all cases of vertigo symptoms.
Causes of vertigo can be due to head injuries, stroke, infections and inner ear disorders amongst others (Victoria Government, 2010).
Vestibular System
The vestibular system is located in the inner ear and is our balance center. This system is comprised of three canals which each differentiate changes in head position. Within these canals are tiny particles that lie on a bed of receptors, these particles move in relation to your head and stimulate these receptors, which send information to the brain (Fife et.al, 2008). This information is utilised to maintain balance and to orientate yourself and focus your eyes within a room (Health direct, 2017).
The most common occurrence of vestibular dysfunction is disruption of the tiny particles within the canals, referred to as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), which accounts for 50% of dizziness in the older population (Fife et.al, 2008).
Occurrence
Vertigo attacks can be triggered by inconsequential actions such as bending over, moving in bed or looking up.
Treatment
Do not fret this condition is treatable and yes Physiotherapists can help you in conjunction with your doctor.
Doctors can prescribe medication for motion sickness that can help with nausea, but not prevent vertigo attacks. However a doctor’s consult may be necessary to rule out other causes of vertigo (Health direct, 2017).
The vestibular system is like any other organ in the body it can be strengthened and Physiotherapists are skilled in vestibular rehabilitation and balance training. This training consists of specific exercises to assists in the brains interpretation and integrating of information from the vestibular system correctly. Additionally there are repositioning maneuvers of the tiny particles within your ear that Physiotherapists perform to reduce dizziness episodes.
Other education a Physiotherapist will provide to assist you with self-management is the following:
- Prescription of Epley or Brandt-Daroff exercises
- Not to lay on your effected side and to elevate your head whilst in bed or lying down
- When rising getting up slowly and resting once sitting on the edge of the bed for one minute
- No driving until symptoms have resolved
- Avoiding head movements or positions which cause an attack
(Victoria Government, 2010)
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms do not disregard them as normality, there is relief and something that you can do about it.
If you are unsure if Physiotherapy is appropriate for you, come and see us at myPhysioSA for a free ‘Can Physiotherapy help me’ consultation and we will help you create a plan for you to feel great again.
Lauren Mutton, myPhysioSA Physiotherapist Mount Barker
For more information please visit:
Fife TD, Iverson DJ, Lempert T, Furman JM, Baloh RW, Tusa RJ, Hain TC, Herdman S, Morrow MJ, Gronseth GS, 2008, ‘Practice parameter: therapies for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (an evidence-based review): report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology, Neurol, vol.70, pp. 2067-2074.
Health Direct, 2017, ‘Vertigo’, Australian Government – Department of Health, Accessed: 17/7/2018, <https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/vertigo>.
Better Health Channel Victoria, 2010, ‘Vertigo (BPPV) – Emergency department factsheets’, Victorian Government, Accessed: 17/7/2018, <http://www.health.vic.gov.au/edfactsheets/downloads/vertigo-bppv.pdf>.
