Vertigo is a sensation of either the world spinning or an internal spinning sensation. There can be a number of causes for vertigo, thankfully most are not serious although they are accompanied by many very unpleasant symptoms. One cause of vertigo is Benign Positional Vertigo (BPPV) which is a peripheral vestibular problem. It is caused by the displacement of small calcium crystals in the inner ear into fluid filled canals, which are responsible for reporting the body’s position in space.
BBPV can be triggered by any head movements, particularly; turning the head, rolling over in bed or sitting up from lying. The symptoms involve:
- Vertigo – Specifically a dizzy sensation of the room spinning. This dizziness can be related to a specific event and is only present for a short period of time
- Nausea
- Visual problems
- Falls history
Your physiotherapist will perform a comprehensive assessment to ascertain the cause of your vertigo involving questions and specific movement tests to provoke your symptoms. If your vertigo is something that can be treated by physiotherapy, you should be feeling an improvement in your symptoms after your first session with our therapist.
Following this first session, you will be advised on how to manage your symptoms over the next day or two. It is probable that your physio will book you back in again in 2-3 days as symptoms often take 1-3 treatments to improve.
