Are you familiar with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) as a cause of dizziness in the elderly?

Five years ago, my mother-in-law suddenly complained of dizziness and exhibited vomiting symptoms. At first, we suspected a stroke and called an ambulance to take her to a university hospital. After tests, the diagnosis was a condition called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, which I had never heard of before.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a condition in which fragments of the otoliths, the tissue debris in the semicircular canals of the inner ear, become dislodged and move as the head moves, causing dizziness.

Fortunately, it was not a stroke, but she was very exhausted and continued to vomit, which started to drain her strength. During the two-week hospitalization, treatment through 'Epley maneuver' was performed, and the main instruction was to stay still and avoid moving her head as much as possible. After discharge, she experienced a recurrence again~~~ she had three recurrences over five years. Each time, because my mother was so distressed, I started to delve into vertigo and its treatments.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is characterized mainly by dizziness, balance disturbances, nausea, vomiting, headaches, palpitations, and cold sweats. The dizziness is notable for disappearing quickly when the head is kept still without movement.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is associated with aging, calcium metabolism disorders, and osteoporosis, and can also occur due to head trauma or severe physical impact. Treatment for elderly patients with BPPV can be achieved through 'canalith repositioning procedures' that return dislodged otoliths to their original position. Since BPPV tends to recur frequently, prevention is extremely important.

Preventive methods for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo include avoiding stress and salty foods, supplementing with vitamin D, maintaining proper sleep posture, and engaging in appropriate physical activity and exercise.

In my mother's case, after my father passed away, she lived alone and ate meals roughly, which led to an imbalanced nutritional state and probably caused her to become physically weak. So, we made a big decision and now live together with my mother. During this time, we make sure she takes basic meals, including nutritional supplements and tonics, and she has her grandchildren as companions, which makes her happy. Since she started living with us, she has been healthy and free from recurrence.

Most of the health issues in the elderly seem to be primarily caused by decreased physical strength due to nutritional imbalance.

And black goat extract was the most effective for the physical decline of elderly people. In the case of my mother, she has been consistently taking black goat extract and preventing it with appropriate exercise. However, since not everyone can do the same as us, continuous attention and care for parents are the most important treatment methods.

Dizziness caused by benign paroxysmal positional vertigo can pose dangerous situations in daily life, so if dizziness occurs frequently, please seek prompt examination and treatment.