| Vertigo is a common occurrence in people around | | | | However, these episodes are a major |
| the world and accounts for more than 6 million | | | | inconvenience and its constant occurrence can |
| clinic visits in the US alone. Of these, 20%-45% of | | | | make it difficult for patients to lead a normal life. |
| patients are found to suffer from BBPV. | | | | Some people suffer from this kind of vertigo for |
| Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is a | | | | many years. |
| disorder caused by certain problems in the inner | | | | The Epley Maneuver is one of the most common |
| ear, the organ that is responsible for maintaining | | | | techniques of dealing with this kind of vertigo. The |
| the body in balance. The symptoms of this | | | | aim is to change the position of the crystals to |
| condition include repeated episodes of vertigo. | | | | areas where they do not cause vertigo. Typically, |
| Changes in the position of the head are | | | | the patient starts in a seated position. They are |
| accompanied by spinning sensation that leads to | | | | then made to lie down with the head hanging in a |
| dizziness. | | | | particular direction. Then, the head is rotated |
| BBPV is known as ‘ear crystals’ because | | | | towards the other ear. Finally, the patient comes |
| the collection of calcium crystals in the inner ear | | | | back to the normal position. In this way, the |
| are dislodged from their normal position during | | | | errant crystals are brought into a position where |
| these episodes. So, when the head is moved, | | | | they are harmless. This maneuver must be |
| these crystals move and this leads to the | | | | practiced and learnt under the guidance of an |
| abnormal displacement of fluid, leading to dizziness. | | | | experienced professional. |
| In Benign Vertigo, episodes of dizziness are | | | | The Epley Maneuver has been considered to be |
| triggered by tilting the head quickly, rolling over in | | | | very successful in treating BPPV. Treatments |
| bed, sudden head movement or looking in | | | | such as these may be combined with the intake |
| different directions in sudden movements. In | | | | of certain herbs in order to reduce episodes of |
| BPPV, vertigo lasts only for a few seconds. | | | | dizziness and fainting. |
| Typically, dizziness is triggered only when there is | | | | Ginger and ginger extracts have been known to |
| change in position. While sight may be affected at | | | | have beneficial effects on those who suffer from |
| the time of the attack, other symptoms like | | | | thesymptoms of vertigo. Certain components in |
| fainting and nausea are absent. | | | | ginger help in regulating the messages received by |
| Benign Positional vertigo is not life threatening in | | | | the brain and this alleviates the severity of the |
| itself. That is why it is called ‘benign’. It is | | | | condition. These are natural treatments for the |
| called ‘Paroxysmal’ because the episodes | | | | condition which can be beneficial as an alternative |
| are very brief and last for a few seconds only. | | | | to over the counter or prescribed medication. |