Vertigo/Dizziness
If you've ever felt dizzy or experienced the sensation the room was spinning, you've probably experienced vertigo also referred to as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV or BPV). Vertigo is a feeling that you or your surroundings are moving when there is no actual movement. The motion commonly is described as a feeling of spinning or whirling, but it also can include sensations of falling or tilting. Vertigo can cause nausea and vomiting. It may be hard to walk or stand, and you may lose your balance and fall.
If vertigo is interfering with your quality of life, turn to Concord Hospital Rehabilitation Services for therapy with physical therapists specially trained, and nationally certified, in the evaluation and treatment of vertigo.
Symptoms of Vertigo
- Dizziness
- Unsteadiness
- Imbalance
- Unexpected falls
- Nausea
- Spinning
Vertigo is caused by a problem in any of the three balance systems that normally work in harmony.
- Visual system - the role of the eyes in maintaining balance.
- Vestibular system - the fluid-filled canals in your ears that alert your brain when you are off-balance.
- Somatosensory system - the receptors in your muscles and joints that send the position of various parts of your body to the brain.
Vertigo Treatments
- Vestibular rehabilitation – maneuvers performed to mobilize the crystals found in the fluid-filled canals in the ears.
- Balance retraining to address muscle weakness; range-of-motion limitations; walking on various surfaces that would be encountered at home and in the community; visual exercises and exercises that integrate all of the balance systems working together.
