Recently, readers learned plenty of great information on vertigo. More specifically, we shared about BPPV, or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. After getting caught up on past blogs regarding the BPPV series, come back to get informed of the possible treatment options for vertigo related hearing loss.
Canalith repositioning procedure:
After your doctor has run enough testing to come to a diagnosis, a treatment plan may be discussed. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo may go away on its own within a few weeks or months. To help relieve BPPV sooner, your team of physicians may come up with a treatment plan involving a series of movements.
The series of movements which helps with BPPV is called the canalith repositioning procedure. This procedure is performed in the doctor’s office. It consists of several simple and slow maneuvers for positioning the head, and it is nothing to be afraid of.
Its goal is to move particles from the fluid-filled semicircular canals of the inner ear into a tiny baglike open area called the vestibule. The vestibule houses one of the otolith organs in the ear. These particles do not cause trouble there and are more easily resorbed.
Each position is held for approximately thirty seconds after any symptoms or abnormal eye movements stop. The canalith repositioning procedure usually works after one or two treatments. Your doctor will likely teach to you how to perform the procedure, so it can be performed at home when necessary.
Surgical options:
In rare circumstances, the canalith repositioning procedure does not work. The doctor may possibly recommend a surgical procedure. During this procedure, a bone plug is used to block the portion of the inner ear that is responsible for the dizziness.
The plug prevents the semicircular canal in the ear from being able to respond to particle movements, or just head movements in general. The surgical option is very affective with an overall success rate of ninety percent.
What to expect:
Come back next week as we share other home remedies and what you can do to prepare for your upcoming appointment. The following are some questions you may be asked during your visit:
- What symptoms do you have?
- When did you first notice your symptoms?
- Do you symptoms come and go?
- What is the frequency?
- How long to symptoms last?
- Does anything in particular seem to trigger the symptoms? (ex: certain types of movements or activities)
- Do your symptoms include visual problems, nausea, vomiting, or headache?
- Have you lost any amount of hearing?
- Do you have any other diagnosed medical conditions?
Make an appointment today to relieve yourself of dizziness and any other ENT issues. Come back next week for great at-home remedies!
Staff Writer
