Do any of these symptoms look familiar?

 

• Vertigo - sensation of room spinning- especially with changes in position

• Dizziness/unsteadiness/imbalance

• Blurred vision with head movement

• Difficulty with balance at night or with dim light

These are all symptoms of a vestibulopathy, the most common of which is BPPV, or Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo.   BPPV can cause severe vertigo and even nausea and vomiting with changes in position such as rolling in bed, or rinsing hair in the shower.  But it is highly treatable on the first visit, when assessed correctly!   Other vestibular dysfunctions, or vestibulopathies, generally involve inflammation of the vestibular system.  Examples are labyrinthitis or vestibular neuritis. 

 

Sometimes, patients have had vestibular symptoms for a long time, but have learned to compensate and avoid the motions that cause symptoms.  Avoiding these motions will generally worsen symptoms over time. 

 

Physical Therapy Can Help with Recovery from Vestibular Symptoms

 

Vestibular Physical Therapists can assess which ear is involved, and can test specifically for two reflexes- the vestibular-ocular reflex and the vestibular-spinal reflex. Response to these tests will assist the physical therapist in developing a plan of care. Specific exercises can be given for the targeted area.