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Positional Vertigo Symptoms

Positional vertigo is an ear condition in which a small piece of calcium breaks off inside of the inner ear. This happens in the part of the ear that controls balance, called the semi-circular canals. Inside the semi-circular canals there is fluid, and the movement and levels of this fluid inside the canals are what the brain reads in order to determine the position of the body and maintain good balance. When this fragment of calcium breaks loose, it disrupts the normal flow and level of the fluid, disrupting the brain's ability to properly understand the body's position.

  1. Dizziness

    • The dizziness causes a spinning sensation so acute that the patient may not be able to get out of bed or even lift his head. Less often, the condition is not as significant, with only a slight spinning sensation when the head is turned. The severity of the symptoms is dependent on the size of the piece of calcium and how much it disrupts the normal, unrestricted of flow of the fluid.

    Vision

    • With positional vertigo, many patients complain that things appear to be moving, usually in quick movements from side to side. In the worst cases, the dizziness and spinning are so bad that vomiting may occur. Despite all of this, there is no real danger of any long-term damage associated with positional vertigo.

    Complications

    • Positional vertigo can cause excessive vomiting, which can degrade the teeth with stomach acids and also cause throat ulcers. Excessive vomiting can also cause dehydration, which occurs when the patient is unable to keep fluids down. If the patient is starting to show signs of dehydration and cannot keep fluids down, an IV might be needed to deliver fluids intravenously.

    Treatment

    • One treatment for positional vertigo is called Epley's maneuver. This involves letting the head rest in various positions, manipulating the flow of the fluid inside the inner ear. The entire cycle is done three times. Epley's maneuver is about 70 percent successful at preventing recurrences, but at times it may be necessary to repeat the treatment later.

    Symptom Treatment

    • Medications for positional vertigo symptoms include antihistamines, anticholinergics and sedative-hypnotics. These three treat the symptoms, but do not prevent recurrences, as Epley's maneuver does. Also, these medications have side effects such as drowsiness, restlessness, nervousness, upset stomach, loss of coordination, increased body temperature, increased heart rate, shaking, confusion, agitation, euphoria, loss of memory, disrupted speech and loss of concentration. In rare cases, seizures, coma and death can occur from anticholinergics.

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