From Aspirus: What is Vertigo?
Having good balance is important for many daily activities. When balance is impaired, simple tasks such as walking across a gravel driveway, going up or down the stairs, or even getting out of bed, can be extremely trying and sometimes dangerous.
70 percent of the nation’s population will experience vertigo, dizziness, or balance problems in their lifetime, making it a common issue.
Vertigo is the spinning sensation, or the sensation of the environment moving around you.
“The balance system or vestibular system is made up of three different systems that work together to keep us upright: the visual system, the vestibular (inner ear) system, and the proprioceptive (sensory nerves) system,” said Elizabeth Ironside, DPT, Aspirus Physical Therapist.
The brain receives information from these three systems and then the body responds by engaging muscles and joints to make corrections in our balance.
According to the National Library of Medicine, vestibular dysfunction most commonly occurs due to inner ear problems, medicines, infections, and traumatic brain injury.
“If impairments occur in any of these systems, balance may be affected,” says Elizabeth.
Vertigo can be temporary or permanent, depending on the cause. Symptoms can range from barely noticeable to severe, lasting a few hours or days, to several weeks or even months if untreated.
The most common cause of vertigo is BPPV or Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo.
- Benign – non-life threatening.
- Paroxysmal – It comes and goes in short bursts of dizziness.
- Positional – it is dependent on head position.
- Vertigo – the sensation of spinning.
BPPV occurs when debris from one part of the inner ear falls into one or more of the fluid-filled semi-circular canals in the inner ear and causes an error signal that tells the brain that your head is moving when it is not. Typically, the sensation of spinning lasts less than a minute, but people will complain of feeling off balance and nauseated even after the sensation of spinning is gone.
“Vertigo can happen at any age, but it is more common in people over the age of 65 and more common in women than men,” says Elizabeth. “Sometimes BPPV can be the result of a brain injury or concussion.”
BPPV can be treated by physical therapists, doctors, or occupational therapists that have training in vestibular rehab. Research shows treatment is over 90 percent effective. Sometimes exercises are used for home treatment.
Aspirus therapists, across the entire system, are educated and trained in treating vestibular conditions.
If you experience vertigo talk to your primary care provider to determine if you may benefit from therapy to decrease or eliminate your dizziness.