Persons with BPPV will usually report severe vertigo with fast head movements or changing position quickly. As a result, getting in and out of bed or getting into bed may be very challenging for a patient with BPPV. Symptoms of vertigo and nausea typically will only last for about 30 seconds but they can be extremely debilitating. Patients with BPPV have a tendency towards depression, anxiety, and diminished quality of life (Jacob, 1996).
The signs and symptoms of BPPV can often be confused for a number of different disorders. It is the health care professional’s job to be able to differentiate between conditions and come up with an accurate diagnosis for the patient. A patient’s subjective findings will cue you into their dysfunction. The initial complaint of your …show more content…
If the patient is not on any vestibulotoxic drugs such as anticonvulsants, furosemide, ethacrynic acid, anti-inflammatories, or inflammatories, vestibular disorder resulting from toxicity can be ruled out. Neurologic testing should be done to rule out neurological findings that could produce vertigo such as cerebellar disorders, multiple sclerosis, and vertebrobasilar disease (Towler,1984).
If the person does not have tinnitus, or hearing loss, both cerebellopontine angle tumor and acoustic neuroma can be ruled out (Towler,1984). In addition to tinnitus and hearing loss, if the patient does not complain of a sensation of pressure in the ears, Meniere’s disease can be ruled out. If the patient does not have a worsening of vertigo with driving or sea travel, motion sickness can be ruled out (Umphred, 2007).
What will rule in BPPV is the patient’s subjective findings and objective tests. Classically, the patient will describe BPPV symptoms as intense short-lived vertigo (lasting about 30 seconds) with fast positional changes. If BPPV is suspected, the Hallpike Dix test should be performed to confirm your findings (Umphred,
The signs and symptoms of BPPV can often be confused for a number of different disorders. It is the health care professional’s job to be able to differentiate between conditions and come up with an accurate diagnosis for the patient. A patient’s subjective findings will cue you into their dysfunction. The initial complaint of your …show more content…
If the patient is not on any vestibulotoxic drugs such as anticonvulsants, furosemide, ethacrynic acid, anti-inflammatories, or inflammatories, vestibular disorder resulting from toxicity can be ruled out. Neurologic testing should be done to rule out neurological findings that could produce vertigo such as cerebellar disorders, multiple sclerosis, and vertebrobasilar disease (Towler,1984).
If the person does not have tinnitus, or hearing loss, both cerebellopontine angle tumor and acoustic neuroma can be ruled out (Towler,1984). In addition to tinnitus and hearing loss, if the patient does not complain of a sensation of pressure in the ears, Meniere’s disease can be ruled out. If the patient does not have a worsening of vertigo with driving or sea travel, motion sickness can be ruled out (Umphred, 2007).
What will rule in BPPV is the patient’s subjective findings and objective tests. Classically, the patient will describe BPPV symptoms as intense short-lived vertigo (lasting about 30 seconds) with fast positional changes. If BPPV is suspected, the Hallpike Dix test should be performed to confirm your findings (Umphred,