An unfortunate trend I’ve been seeing over the past several years is people ‘self-diagnosing’ Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), or sometimes being told that they have this condition by a Healthcare Professional without a positional test confirming the diagnosis being performed.
YouTube is then used to find a video demonstrating an Epley Manoeuvre and then this is ‘attempted’ at home.
I generally DO NOT advise people to try a home manoeuvre for BPPV. Here are 4 reasons why…
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- Is it actually BPPV you have, or is it in fact a different cause of vertigo? (Some causes are very important NOT TO BE MISSED)
- Even if it is BPPV… do you know which side the dislodged ‘crystals’ are?
- Even if you do know which side… in which ‘canal’ are the ‘crystals’? (They could be in one or more of three canals on each side, each requiring a different manoeuvre)
- Even if you know the side & in which ‘canal’… do you know how to do the manoeuvre PROPERLY? (If done incorrectly, you can convert simple ‘single canal’ BPPV into ‘multi canal’ BPPV, which will give you worse symptoms and be more difficult to treat
It’s best to get the correct diagnosis and properly performed manoeuvre done by an appropriately trained Healthcare Professional.
To enquire about a Private Medical Consultation to correctly diagnose and treat your BPPV, please email secretary@thedizzyspecialist.com or Phone 07835 961 076. Further information can also be found at thedizzyspecialist.com/services.
When do I recommend trying a home manoeuvre?
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- When someone has had several previous clusters of BPPV, AND
- They have been taught how to check for the condition, AND
- They have had several properly performed manoeuvres done by a Healthcare Professional, so they know how they should be done properly, AND
- When a family member or friend can be present to help if necessary, AND
- When the person themselves feels confident in attempting it
DISCLAIMER: This blog is meant for medical education purposes ONLY and does not constitute individual clinical advice. ALWAYS seek medical advice from your treating doctor, when managing health conditions. If you would like to arrange for a private medical consultation with Dr Shaw, Consultant Audiovestibular Physician, then information on booking an appointment can be found at TheDizzySpecialist.com/contact. Face to face and virtual consultations available.
Dr Benjamin Shaw | Audiovestibular Consultant Physician | TheDizzySpecialist.com
I am an Audiovestibular Consultant Physician, based in London. I am a highly experienced and specialised Medical Doctor, who accurately diagnoses and effectively manages dizziness, vertigo, balance disorders, hearing loss & tinnitus. I am also a committed advocate for patients with these debilitating symptoms and create healthcare-related educational content, with the aim of empowering patients to better understand and manage their conditions.
