“This occurs when calcium carbonate crystals become
dislodged and fall into the semi-circular canals of the inner
ear,” said DeBord.
BPPV is most common in people over age 50, with women
experiencing it slightly more often than men.
At YRMC Physical Rehabilitation Services, DeBord and
other physical therapists bring welcome relief to people with
BPPV. Once the department’s medical director – or another
physician – provides a referral, the physical therapists
employ advanced technology to further determine the cause
of balance problems and vertigo.
One tool, called Videonystagmography (VNG), involves the
patient wearing special goggles that record eye movements.
Therapists use this to identify particular patterns of eye
movements that indicate BPPV. If BPPV is confirmed,
physical therapy to reposition the dislodged carbonate
crystals begins.
“As a result of the testing, we know where the crystals have
accumulated,” DeBord said. “A YRMC physical therapist
then guides the patient through a series of head maneuvers
that can move the crystals out of the ear canals.”
Typically, this requires one or two visits, although there is
a less common form of BPPV that can take longer to treat.
DeBord noted that treatment doesn’t ensure vertigo won’t
return. Its recurrence rate is 50 percent. However, the
symptoms of vertigo are likely to resolve faster with
treatment. In fact, YRMC physical therapists teach people
with chronic vertigo how to do the required head movements
so they can perform them on their own, as needed.
YRMC offers Physical Rehabilitation Services at two
locations:
• YRMC Wellness Center in Prescott, (928) 771-5131; and
• YRMC Del E. Webb Outpatient Center in Prescott Valley,
(928) 759-5940.
For more information, visit www.yrmc.org/services/
physical-rehabilitation-services.
pccnews
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