4 HEALTH CHAUTAUQUA STAR

FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2016

Brooks Physical Therapy

A Hidden Gem in Sports Medicine
Q&A ON VERTIGO
Contributed Article
Brooks Memorial Hospital

Have you ever heard the term Vertigo? Those of us having family or friends
with vertigo know it can be frustrating…and can potentially lead to balance
issues and falls. For those who aren’t familiar, Vertigo is when a person feels as
if they are spinning or swaying – it is the most common type of dizziness and is
often caused by an inner ear problem.
Tammy Kiszak, Physical Therapist with Brooks Memorial Hospital specializes in
Orthopedics and is certified in Vestibular Rehab. For the benefit of our com-
munity, Tammy shares responses to the most common questions she typically
receives about dizziness and vertigo.
• What is vertigo?
A: Vertigo is a perception of movement either self or surroundings. Vertigo is
a form of dizziness. Dizziness is a painless head discomfort with many possible
causes including disturbances of vision, the brain, balance or vestibular system of
the inner ear and gastrointestinal system.
Q: What are the causes of vertigo associated with Benign Paroxysmal
Position Vertigo (BPPV)?
A: In simple terms, when the otoconia (crystals) in the inner ear become dis-
lodged, they can move into one of the semicircular canals causing the canal to
become sensitive to head position changes. Most of the time, however, causes are
unknown, but can be associated with:
• Minor to severe blows to the head
• Disorders that damage the inner year
• Migraine
Q: What are the symptoms of dizziness or vertigo associated with
Benign Paroxysmal Position Vertigo (BPPV)?
A:
• Dizziness
• A sense of self or surroundings as spinning or moving
• A loss of balance or unsteadiness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Brief episodes of vertigo can be experienced with changes in head position such
as lying down, rolling over, bending over, looking or reaching up, getting up from
bed.
• BPPV symptoms usually are brief, lasting less than 2 minutes and can begin
within 1-40 seconds of changes in body or head position.
• Sometimes nystagmus may occur, which is a jerky movement of the eyes.
Tammy Kiszak, Physical Therapist with Brooks Memorial Hospital, specializes in
Q: How can a Physical Therapist help? Orthopedics and is certified in Vestibular Rehab
A: A Physical Therapist (PT) will perform a specific vestibular evaluation to ger experience dizziness or vertigo for 2 consecutive days. Typically, it takes 1-2
determine if your vertigo or dizziness is associated with crystals dislodging caus- treatments with at least 80% if not a full reduction of symptoms.
ing BPPV. If it is related to BPPV, your PT will perform a canal repositioning Q: Do I need a prescription to attend Physical Therapy?
technique that same day. You would then be prescribed a home program, which
consist of a habituation exercise to be performed daily 3 times a day. This would A: Yes. The script from a primary care doctor will say to evaluate and treat for
be usually 24 hours after initial treatment (CRT), and continue until you no lon- CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
 CHAUTAUQUA STAR
FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2016 HEALTH 5
Q&A ON VERTIGO, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4
BPPV or vertigo.
Q: What should I do if I suddenly get symptoms of dizziness or ver-
tigo?
A: Contact your physician especially if the dizziness or vertigo recurs periodically
for more than a week.
Q: Is vertigo a life threatening condition?
A: Typically dizziness or vertigo is not a serious illness or life threatening. How-
ever, go to the emergency room if the following occur with dizziness or vertigo:
• A new, different or severe headache
• A fever
• Double vision or loss of vision
• Hearing loss
• Trouble speaking
• Leg or arm weakness
• Loss of consciousness
• Falling or difficulty walking
• Numbness or tingling
Q: How can I contact you?
A: Brooks Physical Therapy is located at 529 Central Avenue on the first floor.
Appointments can be made by calling 363-3092 or 366-1111, or stop in to office
directly.
Hours are:
Monday, Wednesday, & Friday 7:30 am – 4:30 pm
Tuesday & Thursday 7:30 am- 6:00 pm
Saturday 8:00am-11:00am (Inpatient only)

Tammy Kiszak works with PT patient, Roger Hohenstein, on improving his functional reach
for trunk and upper quadrant elongation, while working on his core to improve overall
mobility and balance.

Confidential Outpatient
Mental Health & Drug Addiction/
Chemical Dependency Services
Spanish Language Programming Available
Daytime & Evening Appointments

Dunkirk Health Center

338 Central Avenue, Suite 240
(716) 363-0018

You’re not alone . . . call us today.