Friday, June 12, 2015

Seeking Proper BPPV Treatment Toronto

By April Briggs


There are many disorders of the ear, and specifically the inner ear. One of them is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo or in short BPPV. The disorder dislodges crystals from the inner ear that disorient the part of the ear responsible for sending messages to the brain to determine the position and direction of ones head. BPPV treatment Toronto is sought when the symptoms are acute or when they do not go away.

BPPV symptoms arise when the patient looks up or gets out of bed, mainly movements that cause the position of the head to change. They may stop for several weeks or months and the come back for another period. The disorder arises from head injuries, degeneration of the inner ear due to aging and damage by another pre-existing disorder which they act as triggering factors.

Diagnosis of BPPV is based on medical history, physical examination, and other specialized tests. This condition is usually not dangerous, and that is why some people can afford to ignore it and let it pass. However, when the dizziness and spinning are too much, it increases the risk of falls and consequently, other potentially fatal injuries.

Early treatment ensures that one is not at risk of injury. Treatment options often vary depending on the severity. One of these methods is canalith repositioning. The procedure is performed by a qualified doctor through several simple maneuvers to alter the positioning of ones head. The maneuvers reposition the crystals to a place in the ear where they do not interfere with communication to the brain. The doctor in most cases teaches the patient to carry out the procedure by themselves.

Even after a successful particle repositioning procedure, some patients experience dizziness for months. This is why doctors restrict activity to ensure a significant reduction in the risk of debris returning to the area of the ear where they have been removed from. For instance, using a cervical collar over the neck to restrict quick head turns or sleeping on two pillows to ensure elevation.

Doctors may suggest surgery if all other methods do not work. It is very effective as its success rate is over 90%. In the surgical approach, a bone plug is used to block the regions of the brain that causes dizziness. Also, some patients may opt for a wait and see, a method that primarily involves waiting to see if symptoms persist.

As mentioned earlier, patients may get trained on how to conduct the home exercise as the simple procedure at the doctors office may not be adequate. It is imperative to do the home exercise with utmost care to ensure that one does not worsen or create new problems in the inner ear. Drugs used in treating motion sickness are used to manage dizziness and control nausea.

BPPV is rarely a serious condition. However, when it has a risk for falling, it needs to be treated. Falling as a result of dizziness while driving or in risky activities such as skiing or hiking may be fatal. Diagnosis is easy as it can be made at the doctors office. There are several treatment options at the disposal of a patient.




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