Vertigo is a fairly common condition. Patients feel that objects around them are moving or that they themselves are spinning around objects, that they are dizzy or feel unsteady. The majority of cases of vertigo are of a peripheral type and involve some ear condition. Positional vertigo, or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, is the most common cause of vertigo. Positional Vertigo Treatment Maneuvers carried out by a specialised otorhinolaryngologist significantly help to reduce the symptoms of vertigo.

Positional Vertigo: Area of ​​Occurrence & Causes

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is a condition of the inner ear. Labyrinths located inside the ear control balance by providing stimuli to the brain. They consist of semicircular tubes equipped with sensors whose role is to monitor the movements of the head in order to send the appropriate stimuli to the brain. Small organs are also found in each labyrinth that are responsible for detecting the movements and position of the head in relation to gravity. These include tiny calcium crystals called otoliths or otoconia. If the crystals detach, they can flow freely through the fluid-filled spaces of the inner ear, including the semicircular tubes that detect head rotation. The otoconia occasionally become entrained in one of these tubes, causing excessive stimulation during head movements, leading to positional vertigo.

Positional Vertigo Symptoms

Positional vertigo causes brief episodes of mild to severe dizziness. Other symptoms include unsteadiness, nausea and vomiting. It is usually caused by specific changes in the position of the head. This can happen when the patient moves the head up or down, when lying down or when changing sides or sitting up in bed. The causes of this condition are not always known. In some cases it may be caused by a head injury and more rarely by a medical condition or damage caused by a previous surgery to the inner ear.

Positional vertigo treatment maneuvers as a treatment option

This specific condition is treated, after the affected ear is diagnosed and identified, with conservative treatment. Positional Vertigo Treatment Maneuvers carried out by ENT Surgeon in Athens Dr. Olga Papadopoulou can effectively treat the condition, while the administration of medication is not recommended. They consist of a number of exercises aimed at moving the otoconia, i.e. the otolith, from the semicircular tubes of the labyrinths to some other less sensitive area inside the ear. This way, episodes of vertigo during head movement stop.

Positional vertigo treatment maneuvers: Types

The most common positional vertigo treatment maneuvers are the Epley and Semont maneuvers. Epley maneuver is performed through head movements while eye movements are monitored by conducting an electromyography. The head is moved to 5 different positions, each lasting 30 seconds. Semont’s maneuvers involve shifting the body from side to side while the patient is lying down. This treatment is not recommended if you have neck or back problems. The appropriate method of maneuver is chosen depending on the type of positional vertigo.

In some cases, it is recommended to perform exercises at home to treat positional vertigo, which are called Brandt-Daroff exercises. These are carried out after a week has gone by since the Epley or Semont maneuvers. Positional vertigo treatment maneuvers successfully treat the majority of cases from the first session. If the symptoms persist, then they undergo a second session or the Brandt-Daroff maneuvers follow.