Three days before being hospitalized, Ms. N.T. H. (62 years old, Ho Chi Minh City) continuously experienced severe dizziness every time she turned on the bed. Just turning her head or changing her posture, the room seemed to be turned upside down, accompanied by nausea and vomiting, making it almost impossible for her to walk on her own. Worried about the prolonged condition, the family took her to People's Hospital 115 for examination.
After clinical examination and performing necessary paraclinical tests, doctors diagnosed her with benign posture epileptic dizziness (BPPV), and also recorded accompanying high blood pressure. The patient was treated for symptoms, performed ear stone repositioning tests and consulted for vestibular rehabilitation. After three days, the condition improved significantly, she could walk stably and be discharged from the hospital.
According to doctors at People's Hospital 115, BPPV is a common disorder of the inner ear, occurring when calcium crystals deviate from their normal position, causing incorrect stimulation when the head changes posture. Dizziness usually appears short, lasting from a few seconds to less than a minute, originating when lying down, sitting up, bowing or raising the head.
However, not all dizziness attacks are benign. If the patient is accompanied by weakness or numbness in limbs, difficulty speaking, crooked mouth, unusually severe headache, drowsiness or noticeable hearing loss, it is necessary to go to a medical facility immediately to rule out dangerous causes.
Doctors recommend that when dizziness appears, patients should sit or lie in a safe position, avoid sudden changes in posture and comply with re-examination if symptoms recur. Diagnosing the cause correctly helps treat effectively and prevent unwanted complications.
