Is the room spinning?

By: Dr. Michelle Looney

Have you ever felt as if the room you were in was spinning around you? This sensation could be caused by a common vestibular impairment called Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV).

Dizziness is an umbrella term encompassing many different individual perceptions. It is NOT a diagnosis. Rather, dizziness can be defined as “sensations of spacial disorientation.”

• Common self descriptions of dizziness:
• Sensation of movement or motion
• Off-balance or imbalance
• Difficulty walking, reading, or riding in vehicles, cannot focus on moving objects
• Motion sickness
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Lightheadedness
• Spinning in the head our you feel like the room is spinning

These symptoms typically occur when you change your position. Common position changes include sitting up in bed, rolling over in bed, bending over, looking up, and quick head movement.

Other associated symptoms.

• Otologic symptoms: Tinnitus, hearing loss, fullness, otalgia
• Neurologic symptoms: Headaches or migraines
• Visual disturbances, diplopia
• Memory or concentration problems
• Psychiatric symptoms: Anxiety, depression, restlessness, or irritability

The good news is BPPV can be diagnosed and treated. If you have these symptoms, please call our office to schedule an appointment.

HEARING PARTNERS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

Delray – 561-638-6530