What Is The Epley Maneuver And How Does It Work?
If you have ever been dizzy, you know how miserable you feel. Having dizzy spells can cause you to feel sick and limit your activities. It can affect your everyday life and what you can and cannot do. No one wants to live with constant dizzy spells, but depending on the cause, simple maneuvers can help bring relief.
The Most Common Cause Of Dizziness
BPPV, or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, is the most common cause of dizzy spells. This happens when calcium crystals get loose in the ear canal. You might feel dizzy when you stand up or when you tilt your head a certain direction. People who are over the age of 60 are the most likely to become afflicted with BPPV, but it is the easiest type of dizziness to treat.
What To Ask The Doctor About Treatment
Before you get into medications and possible surgery, it is a good idea to find out what issue you have and which ear has the problem. If you indeed do have BPPV, you can get relief through using certain maneuvers. While the internet is full of information, you will want to get instructions on how to get relief at home directly from your doctor.
Expectations For The Epley Maneuver
When you speak with your doctor, you may get recommendations for the Epley Maneuver. This can help you get relief both in the office and at home. The doctor will tell you to sit on the edge of your bed and turn your heat 45 degrees to the left (if your vertigo comes from the left ear.) You will put a pillow under you and lie down so the pillow is between your shoulders and not under your head. You will wait for any vertigo to stop and then you will turn your head 90 degrees to the right without raising it and wait for 30 seconds. Then you will turn your head and body on its side to the right so you can see the floor for another half a minute. You will next slowly sit up, but remain on the bed for a few moments. The doctor might recommend that you do this maneuver three times before you go to bed every night until you go 24 hours without feeling dizzy.
Who Came Up With The Epley Maneuver?
Dr. John Epley is a Portland ear surgeon who devised this simple cure plan that can help patients avoid surgery and correct their issues. The plan didn’t come easily as many in the medical field were skeptical once he came up with the idea. But after testing and trials, people were finding relief from their BPPV when using the maneuver.
Get The Help You Need
Whether you have BPPV or another vertigo ailment, you don’t want to live that way. Contact Breathe Clear Institute and let’s get to the bottom of what is making you dizzy so we can find the proper treatment for it.