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Patient Information
10. How long will it take before I feel better?
• You may still feel a little bit sensitive to movement even after successful
treatments for BPPV. You may also feel unsteady at times. These mild
symptoms can take a few days to a few weeks to slowly go away. You should
follow up with your medical provider or therapist if your symptoms of dizziness
or instability do not get better in a few days to a few weeks. Seniors with a
history of falls or fear of falling may need further exercises or balance therapy to
clear BPPV completely.
11. Is there anything I should or shouldn't do to help my BPPV?
• Yes. Your balance will be "off " so you will need to take precautions that you
don't fall. You will feel more sensitive to movement until the BPPV has been
successfully treated and healed. After your symptoms have subsided, it is
important to return to normal activities that you can do safely. Exposure to
motion and movement will help to speed your healing.
12. Can BPPV come back and/or can I prevent it?
• Unfortunately, BPPV is a condition that can sometimes return. Your risk for
BPPV returning can shift from low risk (few experiences in your lifetime) to a
higher risk that is often caused by some other factor such as trauma (physical
injury), other inner ear or medical conditions, or aging. Medical research has
not found any way to stop BPPV from returning, but it can be treated with a
high rate of success.
13. What happens if I still have symptoms following my initial
treatments?
• There are a number of reasons your initial treatment might have failed.
1. It is not uncommon to need more than one repositioning session to get
the crystals back in their proper place. You may only need a few more
treatments.
2. There are a number of different types of BPPV which can require special
treatment. The self-treatment is designed for the most common form of
BPPV. There are a number of other treatments available which depend on
the different types of BPPV.
3. BPPV can sometimes be in more than one canal and/or side at the same
time. This would require multiple treatments to resolve.
4. If your initial tries at repositioning have failed, mainly if you have only tried
self-repositioning, seek a health professional who specializes in BPPV. It can
be difficult to complete correct positioning by yourself. A professional may
be able to achieve better positioning and/or use helpful equipment.
5. There can be some significant leftover dizziness even after the BPPV crystals
have been correctly repositioned. This dizziness may require more time (a
few days to a few weeks), or a different exercise/movement routine may
be appropriate. It is VERY important to follow-up with your healthcare
provider if you continue to have symptoms. You may be sent for further
testing to confirm your diagnosis and/or discuss further treatment options.
