Cure for Benign Positional Vertigo

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is a common disorder. It causes intermittent dizziness associated with changes in the position of the head. It is not serious. Treatment involves a procedure known as canalith repositioning, often used in conjunction with vestibular rehabilitation therapy. For serious cases, surgery may be necessary.

Cause

• Inside the ear are structures called otolith organs that serve to monitor movement of the head. Inside these organs are small crystals responsible for sensitivity to movement. At times these crystals can move from the otolith organs and enter the semicircular canals of the ear that are responsible for monitoring the position of the head. When this happens, the person gets dizzy.

  Age is a factor; the condition is common in those older than 60. Injuries to the head and ear surgeries can also cause the condition. While determining the cause is helpful, treatment is still available for those in which no cause is found.

Canalith Repositioning

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is typically treated through a procedure known as canalith repositioning. It involves slow, repeated patterned movements of the head. The procedure is intended to move particles from the semicircular canals into a very small sac that houses an otolith organ known as the utricle. Once here the particles do not cause any trouble and the vertigo typically goes away.

  The procedure can be completed in a doctor's office and typically only requires one or two attempts to clear up the vertigo. After the procedure has been completed, the head must remain elevated (above shoulder level) to allow the particles time to settle and be absorbed by the fluids located in the inner ear. Your doctor may show you how to complete the at home.

Surgery

• In some cases where the canalith repositioning procedure has proven to be ineffective, surgery may be considered. Surgery is successful about 90 percent of the time. A small plug made of bone is inserted into the inner ear, preventing the particles from interacting and responding to head movements and the semicircular canals.

  A possible side effect of this procedure is long-term hearing loss, though this occurs in only about 5 percent of those who receive the surgery.

Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy

• Interruptions in communication between the brain and vestibular system (inner ear) can lead to exaggerated or unintended movements to compensate for the dizziness. These in turn can lead to muscle pain, headache and an overall feeling of fatigue. Examples include moving the whole body as opposed to the head to look at something or staring at the ground to suppress the dizziness.

  Vestibular rehabilitation therapy involves condition- and patient-specific exercises and movements to help retrain the brain to process the signals sent from the vestibular system. It is often used along with canalith procedures and surgery and boasts a high success rate if done properly. Like canalith procedures, it can be taught to the patient so it can be done at home.