Do I have vertigo? Answer these questions to learn more.
One of the most common causes of vertigo — the out of control spinning sensation that brings with it feelings of nausea — is caused by a condition called BPPV, or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.
Depending on the severity of the BPPV you’re experiencing, your feelings of dizziness can range from fairly mild to incredibly intense. Typically, these bouts of dizziness only last for a few minutes, and are caused by abnormalities in your vestibular system — the system in your ear that is responsible for balance, stability, spatial awareness, and more.
When there are difficulties occurring in your vestibular system, simple changes in the position of your head can trigger feelings of vertigo.
Vertigo is typically not a serious problem, and can more often than not be treated by a professional, but it is an incredibly disruptive condition, and can make people more susceptible to falls and bouts of nausea.
If you’re concerned about vertigo regarding yourself or a loved one, please consider the following questions.
- Does getting in and out of bed (or any other quick head motion) trigger feelings of dizziness, spinning, or falling?
- Do you ever feel unsteady or unsure on your feet while standing or walking?
- Is it unsettling to walk through places like malls, grocery stores, or other high-traffic, sensory-rich environments?
- Do you ever feel yourself being pulled to one side while walking?
- Are you susceptible to feelings of carsickness?
- Do escalators make you feel queasy?
- Do you fear falling?
- Does moving in the darkness make you feel more unsteady than normal?
- Does moving from one surface to another — such as grass to concrete, hardwood to carpet, etc. — increase your feelings of unsteadiness?
If you’ve answered “yes” to one or more of these questions, then it might be a sign of BPPV. To know for certain, we recommend you schedule an appointment with Colorado Ear Care so you can get an accurate diagnosis and accurate treatment plan.
How is BPPV treated? Will I need surgery?
Despite the discomfort associated with vertigo, professionals like us can easily treat BPPV without the need for surgery or even medicine. How? By using a technique called “Canalith Repositioning.”
For over a quarter century, experts have been using this method to successfully treat the vast majority of patients in just about four sessions.
You see, most patients who are experiencing BPPV are doing so because of problems occurring in their inner ear. The primary problem is usually caused by tiny particles that have moved from one part of the inner ear and into the semicircular canals.
This seemingly small occurrence can have a huge impact on our perception, so when we make certain head movements (such as lying down or getting up in bed), they can trigger feelings of vertigo.
What Canalith Repositioning does is carefully move the particles that have moved back into your inner ear so that you’ll no longer experience feelings of dizziness, spinning, unsteadiness, or nausea. This is done through a series of head movements that are guided by a professional expert. More often than not, these particles will be reabsorbed by fluids in the inner ear, or they will simply dissolve altogether.
Again, we recommend that Canalith Repositioning only be administered by an experienced professional. This treatment, without the proper training and experience, can actually exacerbate feelings of vertigo, dizziness, and nausea.
Will my feelings of vertigo return?
It’s possible that you will experience future bouts of dizziness, but it’s often dependent on certain factors.
Do you typically experience low levels of Vitamin D? Do you have cardiovascular issues? Do you have diabetes? Are you prone to migraines? If so, it is possible that you will experience recurrences of BPPV.
The good news is that our ability to treat your symptoms are simple, straightforward, and non-invasive, with no need for you to be on any medication or undergo surgery. Our close communication and working together as partners will help us stay on top of your symptoms so you can lead a healthier, more comfortable lifestyle.
Is there a link between vertigo and hearing loss?
Though hearing loss and vertigo don’t always go together, vertigo and other balance disorders can sometimes be an indication that you’re also experiencing hearing loss.
If your hearing loss can be associated with issues occurring in your inner ear, then this could also be the reason that you’re having problems with dizziness or balance.
The important thing to do in these instances is to seek help from a professional who can provide comprehensive testing that helps you understand the root causes of your dizziness and potential hearing loss.
The sooner you can understand what’s going on with your health, the sooner your provider can make recommendations designed to help you feel better, so that you can live better.
At Colorado Ear Care, we consider ourselves different from the average audiology practice, because we devote our efforts to understanding our patients’ concerns and providing them the comprehensive testing they deserve before we ever venture into the realm of trying to sell them solutions.
We’re locally owned, nationally recognized, and are a preferred hearing care provider by many physicians in the greater Denver area. If you’re considering diagnosis and treatment for a dizziness or balance concern, then contact Colorado Ear Care today. We’d be proud to provide you the care you deserve.