Understanding Vertigo: Accurate Diagnosis for Effective Treatment

Vertigo is more than just a dizzy spell. For many people, more commonly over 50 years of age, it can be a disorienting and frustrating experience that disrupts daily life. At Eureka Health, we see many patients who have been struggling with vertigo, often after exploring various diagnoses and unsuccessful treatment elsewhere. If your practitioner has a sound understanding of vertigo, treatment should be extremely effective in resolving your symptoms. Our goal is to provide clarity and effective treatment by emphasising the importance of accurate diagnosis.

The Complexity of Vertigo

Vertigo isn't a one-size-fits-all condition. There are various types, each requiring a specific approach to treatment. One common form is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), a condition that you may commonly know as “crystals in the ear”. Patients are frequently advised to perform the Epley manoeuvre at home, only to find that their symptoms persist. This is because BPPV diagnosis isn't just about identifying the condition—it requires pinpointing which ear and which semi-circular canal is affected (which semi-circular canal the crystal is in). There are three of these semi-circular canals in each ear and each individual one of them could be the culprit. This is why accurate diagnosis is critical to successful treatment.

The most commonly affected canal is the Posterior Canal and there is one in each ear - the corrective manoeuvre needs to be applied in the correct sequence and this will vary depending on which side is affected. If the correct side and canal is identified and the Epley manoeuvre correctly applied, it has been shown to be highly effective for treating posterior canal BPPV. Remarkably, 47% of patients experience full relief after just one session, highlighting the manoeuvre's potential for rapid improvement (Hilton & Pinder, 2014). For others, additional sessions may be necessary to achieve optimal results.

If you would like to learn more about vertigo. and dizziness, as well as BPPV and other causes, click here to see our previous blog about this topic.

Evidence-Based Approach

At Eureka Health, our approach is grounded in evidence and guidelines. According to the Clinical Practice Guideline for BPPV by the American Academy of Otolaryngology, it is essential to undergo a proper evaluation to determine the type of vertigo and the affected area before beginning any treatment. This ensures that the treatment is not only effective but also safe. Anthony, one of our osteos is skilled in these assessments, ensuring that you receive the right treatment for your specific condition. Click here to make an appointment with Anthony and remember, it may be safest to have someone else drive. you to and from the appointment if you are experiencing vertigo.

References:

Bhattacharyya, N., et al. (2017). "Clinical Practice Guideline: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (Update)." Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.Hilton, M. P., & Pinder, D. K. (2014).

"The Epley (canalith repositioning) manoeuvre for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo." Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. PubMed