Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is a prevalent form of vertigo that affects ears. In most cases, the cause of the condition is not known (Parnes, 2014). This type of vertigo happens when the head is moved in certain ways such as which including turning the head towards a certain side, lying down or placing the head in an upside down position. Inside the inner part of the ear is a part known as labyrinth (Parnes, 2014). This part associates with the other organs in the human body such as the bones and eyes to ensure balance. Any interference with the vestibular organs can lead to false information being communicated to the brain. This can lead to a sensation of being unsteady or a false illusion that the surrounding is actually moving even when one remains at one position without moving.
The labyrinth has three looping parts which are referred to as semicircular canals. These structures carry a certain fluid that assists follow up the position and the head rotation. In addition, there are other structures still in the inner ear that are involved in ensuring balance. These are known as the otolith organs. They contain some very small crystals. Although the cause of the condition is not conclusively established, these tiny crystals may find themselves dislodged due to certain specific movements of the head and move into the semicircular canals (Alpini et al., 2014). As a result of this, intense dizziness can occur which also involves a spinning feeling. This feeling does not last for more than five minutes.
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On the other hand, Meniere’s disease refers to a condition in which the structures and membranes located in the inner ear carry excess fluid and therefore they become distended ( Oberman et al., 2017 ). The cause of the condition is not well established too. This disease is characterized by these three common symptoms: changing loss of hearing in one of the ears, sensation of fullness in the ear that is affected and vertigo with a feeling of ringing in the ear. Most cases of vertigo with this disease are not associated to the position the head is place d as is the case with BPPV (Murdin, 2018). An attack by Meniere’s disease can present with no warnings of attack and can be experienced for more than twenty minutes for each episode. This can result to extreme nausea and vomiting which can be experienced until the condition stops.
How to take action
For individuals who experience vertigo or associated dizziness, the best thing to do is to see a physician and request for an appointment with an ENT specialist. The specialists have the necessary knowledge and skills to carry out the necessary evaluation of the symptoms presented and offer relief if the individual is diagnosed with BPPV. In cases where an individual experience hearing loss too, she/he should ask for a hearing assessment. Most cases of vertigo are short lived. However, they can turn out to be very intense although they are in most cases not harmful.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Most individuals suffering from BPPV can deal with the condition by having a treatment known as Epley maneuver administered. The treatment includes turning the head of the affected individual in certain patterns of motion. The aim of this is to make the dislodged crystals move out of the semicircular canals. For Meniere’s disease, the affected individuals can be treated by use of Menniet Device and anti-dizziness medicine (Oberman et al., 2017) . The device produces pressure which offers some relief. In addition, individuals with this condition are asked to cut down their salt intake and consume diuretics. Diuretics assist in preventing the likelihood of retention of fluids in the inner ear (Oberman et al., 2017) . Those experiencing hearing loss as a result of this disease, the use of hearing aids can assist in dealing with the loss.
Due to the fact that proper evaluation of hearing loss is critical in the diagnosis of Meniere’s disease, a number of tests are usually carried out. The tests performed during the assessment include hearing tests and balance tests. In addition, magnetic resonance imaging is also carried out. MRI is essential in establishing if a tumor might have developed and could be the reason for the loss in the ability to hear and loss of balance.
Physicians apply several kinds of hearing tests. The aim of the different hearing tests is to establish if the loss is coming from the inner ear or from the nerve associated with hearing. Health care providers, establish this by carrying out a recording of the auditory brain stem reaction (Oberman et al., 2017) . A procedure known as electrocochleography is also carried out. The purpose of this test is to establish the electrical activity happening in the inner ear in reaction to sound. This procedure is also used in the diagnosis of Meniere’s disease.
In testing the vestibular system for balance, physicians apply a procedure known as caloric testing. This is not related to the intake of calories at all. In this procedure, the doctor flushes the ears of the patient with some water and the eye movements in this case can assist the doctor establish if there is an imbalance. Information from Meniere’s disease Information Center states that there is no single treatment established that works for all the patients. However, every treatment is identified to work for an individual. People seem to react differently to the different treatments that are offered. There are individuals whose symptoms disappear just by reducing their salt intake while there are those that may require complex treatment procedures.
References
Alpini, D. C., Cesarani, A., & Brugnoni, G. (2014). Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. Vertigo Rehabilitation Protocols, 109-122. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-05482-7_8
Murdin, L. (2018). Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Oxford Medicine Online . doi:10.1093/med/9780198834281.003.0020
Oberman, B. S., Patel, V. A., Cureoglu, S., & Isildak, H. (2017). The aetiopathologies of Ménière's disease: a contemporary reviewL’eziopatogenesi della Sindrome di Ménière: stato dell’arte. Acta otorhinolaryngologica Italica : organo ufficiale della Societa italiana di otorinolaringologia e chirurgia cervico-facciale , 37 (4), 250-263.
Parnes, L. (2014). Chapter-10 Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. Textbook of Vertigo: Diagnosis and Management, 128-144. doi:10.5005/jp/books/11995_10
