Top 6 FAQs on Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Dealing with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo or BPPV is no simple feat. It can cause you to feel false motions for a brief period and a long list of other symptoms unsteadiness, vomiting, and nausea. 

Good thing, compared to other causes of spinning sensations, it is far simpler to manage. Simple natural remedies like visiting an upper cervical chiropractor in San Diego for a spinal adjustment could significantly improve the symptoms. 

However, even when it’s easy to manage, there may be a few things you want to know about the condition. With that in mind, we thought of answering the top 6 questions that most of our patients ask about BPPV.

Q1: What does benign paroxysmal positional vertigo mean?

We know that it can be quite a handful to say benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. It may also seem quite like a very daunting medical term. To help you understand, let’s try to break down the meaning of each word: 

• Benign – It means that it’s not life-threatening. 
• Paroxysmal – In medical terms, this refers to the sudden recurrence or intensification of symptoms. This suggests that the episodes tend to come and go even without warning. 
• Positional – Unlike in other vertigo types, BPPV gets triggered when you change the head’s position. This could include turning sideways when lying on a bed. 
• Vertigo – When you have BPPV, you experience a spinning sensation from time to time. It’s the main symptom of the condition, and it can incapacitate you for hours. 

Q2: How common is BPPV? Am I alone? 

BPPV occurs in about 1.6 percent of the population each year. Additional statistics reveal that 20 percent of dizziness reported to physicians actually stems from benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Most of the time, the condition occurs among older folks and working-age individuals. It rarely happens in kids or teens. And, in most cases, BPPV in children often gets misdiagnosed or undetected. 

Q3: What causes or triggers BPPV?

The most well-known explanation behind the occurrence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is the migration of the calcium crystals of the inner ear to places where they shouldn’t be, such as the fluid-filled canals. These crystals, which we refer to as otoconia, aid in sensing movements or changes in the head’s orientation. They work hand in hand with the rest of the vestibular system, so your body can immediately respond to changes in the environment and prevent you from tripping or losing your balance. However, when they do get dislodged, your brain begins getting faulty signals. Consequently, this results in vertigo attacks. 

Q4: How do you know it’s BPPV you have?

One of the main signs that your vertigo stems from BPPV is when you sense that your episodes begin due to changes in your head’s position. Do you suddenly feel like you’re head is spinning when you turn over the other side of the bed? Does an attack shortly follow when you suddenly move or tilt your head or bend your body to reach something on the floor?

Besides this symptom, some BPPV patients also report nausea and vomiting. When the spinning sensation becomes too severe, it can cause you to lose your balance or consciousness. If your symptoms cause you to miss out on your routine and cause severe disability, you should visit a physician or a chiropractor in San Diego to help you find relief.

Q5: What is the Epley Maneuver? Can it help?

Many patients who frequently suffer from benign paroxysmal positional vertigo attacks ask us about the Epley Maneuver. Does it work? How can it provide relief? Essentially, this method helps in moving out the calcium crystals from where they got dislodged. This way, they can stop interfering with the transmission of signals to and from your brain, vestibular system, and the rest of your body. It may take several attempts to see results. When done correctly, it can help you experience fewer frequent episodes. 

Question #6: Can an upper cervical chiropractor in San Diego help?

Seeking upper cervical care remains one of the most commonly used remedies for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. It can help adults, old folks, and kids alike. Essentially, an upper cervical chiropractor focuses on the uppermost neck bones – the C1 and C2. Most of the time, patients who experience benign paroxysmal positional vertigo have misaligned upper cervical bones. Because of such a structural issue, the inner ear’s vestibular system – the organ in charge of perceiving balance and orientation – suffers. 

The misaligned bones can also press on the brainstem, the bridge between the brain and the spinal cord. As a result, the normal flow of signals in your nervous system also gets affected. This chain of events eventually triggers the symptoms of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

If your condition doesn’t result from a misaligned spine but rather an ear infection or migraine, going to an upper cervical chiropractor in San Diego can still help you. The gentle adjustments done to the neck bones can provide lasting relief that can help you take back control of your life. 

Get help for your BPPV today!

Living with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo can indeed cause major disruptions in your life. It can affect your work productivity, cause you to miss out on important events, and even affect your mental well-being. The sooner you get help for your condition, the better you can manage it and start seeing improvements. 

Here at Upper Cervical Chiropractic San Diego, you can work out your condition with a chiropractor in San Diego. You can have your upper cervical bones assessed and check if you need adjustments. We use advanced digital imaging to examine the bones and provide our patients with customized upper cervical adjustments. 

Learn about how upper cervical chiropractic can help you live a life with lesser benign paroxysmal positional vertigo attacks today. You may reach us using our web form or our phone at (858) 577-0662.

To schedule a consultation with Upper Cervical Chiropractic San Diego, call 858-434-5926 or just click the button below.

If you are outside of the local area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.