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BPPV Patient Handout

last modified on: Sun, 04/14/2019 - 10:24

BPPV Patient Handout

see also: Vertigo

You may have a disorder called BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo). This causes dizziness as a result of particles (calcium crystals) floating in the semicircular canal of your ear.

 

Benign: NOT malignant or life threateningParoxysmal: sudden

Positional: symptoms occur with changes in the position of your head or body

Vertigo: dizziness where you feel like you are spinning/moving or the things around you are moving

Today, the doctor or therapist has moved your head and body in a technique that helps the crystals float out of the semicircular canal back into the utricle, where they belong, so they will no longer cause dizziness. In order to make this technique more successful, it helps if you:

1. Immediately after the treatment maneuver is performed, it is helpful if you sit very still without moving your head for about 10 minutes

2. Do not bend over, lie back, move your head up or down, or tilt your head to either side for the rest of the day.

3. Sleep propped upright (about a 45 degree angle) when you sleep tonight. Sleep in a recliner chair or with extra pillows.

4. Avoid jarring activities the rest of the day. No exercise which requires head movement the rest of the day.