What’s BPPV, The Condition Stephen Colbert Lives With?

August 15, 2021

bppv, vertigo relief

Stephen Colbert, a comedian and The Late Show host, told a big revelation to his beloved audience on the holiday issue of Vanity Fair. The entertainer opened up about his Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo condition.

According to Stephen, he has been experiencing the symptoms during the weekend before the 2020 United States Elections. He found the spinning sensation entertaining at first until he started falling when standing up. The comedian began to worry as soon as his vertigo attacks became odd and out of control. 

Let us clear some facts about Stephen Colbert's condition and share some tips to get Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo relief. 

 

What’s Vertigo?

According to Healthline, vertigo produces a false sensation that your surrounding is in a constant spinning movement.

Even the slightest movement can intensify vertigo. Consequently, people who live with vertigo experience some difficulties with their everyday lives. Vertigo can cause distress to a person making them unable to perform even the simplest activities such as walking to a door or standing up. 

Symptoms vary depending on the cause of vertigo. Now that we have discussed vertigo, we'll look at the most common condition associated with it — BPPV.

 

What’s Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)?

Stephen Colbert's condition is called Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). It is a disorder that occurs within the ear. For people with positional vertigo, even the slightest changes in the head position can lead to a spinning feeling. Vertigo symptoms can mildly or severely affect the individual and usually last for a few minutes.

Here are the other BPPV symptoms that every patient must be aware of: 

  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Loss of balance
  • Dizziness
  • Lightheadedness

 

What Causes BPPV?

One of the most recognized roots of BPPV is the dislodged calcium stones in the inner ear. Severe trauma from head injuries can cause these calcium crystals to move in the wrong area in the ear, causing miscommunication between the brain and the rest of our body. As a result, one's body motion and position can be mildly or severely affected. 

The following movements can lead to a sudden episode of BPPV:

  • Rolling over
  • Sitting up suddenly in bed
  • Looking down or too much bending of the head forward

bppv, vertigo relief

Ways to Identify Which Side of Your Ear is Affected by BPPV

These are some simple steps you can perform to determine which side of your ear has positional vertigo:

  1. Sit on a bed.
  2. Turn or move your head to the right side and lie back quickly while slightly hanging your head over the bed's end. Wait until a minute. If you feel somewhat dizzy, then BPPV is affecting your right ear.
  3. If you experience no dizziness, sit up again. Wait for about a minute.
  4. Turn your head to the left, then quickly lie your back down. Wait again for another minute.
  5. If you feel dizzy after the last step, BPPV affects your left ear. 

 

How to Manage Attacks of Positional Vertigo

BPPV is frustrating when it gets in the way of your daily activities. However, there are helpful tips that can provide Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo relief. It is important to remember that these tips do not apply to all types of vertigo. 

  • Central Vertigo –vertigo that results from an existing problem in the brain
  • Peripheral Vertigo – a problem in the inner ear can lead to this type of vertigo. About 93 percent of vertigo patients have peripheral vertigo. 

So, these exercises and tips can only help individuals with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV).

  • Brandt-Daroff Exercises – these exercises use the power of gravity to help move calcium crystals from the semicircular canal. 
  • Epley Maneuver – this one is a popular approach to aid major BPPV. Medical professionals adopt this approach in their clinics. Epley Maneuver's goal is to bring back the calcium stones to where they initially are positioned in your inner ear. 
  • Proper Stress Management – Stress can significantly make symptoms worse for almost all kinds of conditions. BPPV is not an exemption to this. Mental health professionals and doctors suggest proper stress management as one of the most helpful ways for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo relief. 

 

Upper Cervical Chiropractic: Easing Symptoms of BPPV

Upper cervical chiropractors could be your go-to companion in dealing with the root cause of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. Upper Cervical Chiropractic care works excellently for managing BPPV and the vertigo symptoms that come with it. 

Our neck bones are prone to misalignment issues. Misalignment of the topmost bones of the neck can negatively affect our brainstem. Therefore, misalignment of the upper cervical area can compromise the communication between our brain and the rest of our bodies.

If you’re tired of trying different solutions for vertigo relief, then we urge you to consult professionals in the Upper Cervical Chiropractic field. This way, you can get to the root of your problem and regain your health.

Find the nearest upper cervical chiropractor in your area today.

Find An Upper Cervical Doctor in Your Areato schedule a consultation today.

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