Vertigo is caused by different factors. One of the widely known reasons for the incidence of vertigo is a condition known as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). This condition is characterized by the onset of sudden episodes of dizziness, marked by a feeling of spinning. It is often attributed to changes in the position of your head. These episodes of spinning are quite short but, are intense in nature. Several approaches such as head movements or maneuver, surgical interventions (for a few acute cases) as well as medications are generally used. Of the drugs widely available, can you use meds such as Betahistine for treating BPPV? It becomes essential to know before exploring other treatment options.
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (in short, BPPV) is a condition wherein you feel as if your body is spinning or you are feeling extremely dizzy. Your head’s position is generally considered as a leading cause for this discomfort. These conditions are more likely to last only for a few minutes, and may show up when you shift your position (say, from a sleeping posture to a standing pose, sitting position to a sleeping posture, etc.); the level of dizziness may either be moderate or very acute during these spells. It is generally not considered as an acute condition; the only risk however is the likelihood of an accidental fall.
Signs of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
Apart from feeling dizzy, most common signs of BPPV include stumbling due to lack of balance, abdominal conditions like vomiting, nausea, etc. You may also feel as if the world around you is spinning or you are moving in circles. Such spinning sensations can often result in unsteady movements. Though most of these discomforts can disappear on their own, the odds of a relapse are quite high. Those who experience these spells frequently may also witness irregular eyeball movements.
Your inner ear plays a vital role in ensuring that you stay balanced. The vestibular system has slender (fine hair-like) sensors which keep a tab on your head’s position. Also, there are crystals in the inner ear – in the otolith segment of inner ear. Disturbances in the otolith parts of the ear can lead to such crystals to get dislocated into the vestibular canal or labyrinth. This is exactly what causes spells of dizziness.
It is important to consult your physician if you observe doubling of eyesight, slurring of speech, passing out after an acute spell of migraine, lack of coordination as well as difficulties experienced during walks. The causes are very many, such as – suffering a nasty blow on your head, injuries sustained in the inner ear and a build-up of fluids or pressures inside the ears. You may also experience one or more of these signs when you are lying down on your back-side for a longer span of time, for example – on a dentist’s chair.
This condition is more likely to occur among women than in men. Though it can show up in people of any age, those aged above 48 years are more vulnerable. Treatments are administered when dizziness does not go away on its own.
Treating BPPV with betahistine
Betahistine is used for the reduction of dizziness as well as inner ear discomforts. These symptoms associated with the incidence of vertigo caused by BPPV or another inner ear condition called Meniere’s disease. The key reasons of this condition is a likely change in inner ear pressure level, displacement of crystals in the otolith parts of the ear, etc. You are advised to take betahistine as per the advice of your treating physician. The efficacy of this drug is known to be more pronounced if you combine the dosages with head movements done as per instructions of your physical therapist and audiologist.
While taking betahistine for BPPV, you must remember not to discontinue the dosages without consulting with your physician. Moreover, it is extremely unsafe to take betahistine when you are not experiencing the symptoms of BPPV. Taking this med without an underlying need can aggravate the symptoms and signs of BPPV; in other words, you are likely to witness acute spells of dizziness, hearing loss as well as a few inner ear discomforts like ringing.
Betahistine must be taken in dosages of 24 milligrams (mg) to 48 mg every day. Standard daily dosage is maintained at 24 mg; however, this is consumed in 3 or 4 doses of 8 mg (if it is thrice per day) each or 6 mg (if taken four times daily) per dose. In some very rare cases, your doctor may recommend a daily dose of more than 60 mg; it is important to split these doses and have each of them separated by at least 6 hours.
What are the likely risks of taking betahistine for BPPV?
In general, drugs are known to trigger a few allergies. Betahistine may also cause some allergies in a few users. But, this drug is considered safe on a majority of people who use it. In very rare cases, this med is known to have triggered a few allergic reactions; people who experienced allergies reported discomforts like itchiness, rashes, pain in abdomen, swelling of oral parts, inflammation of cheeks or nose, breathing difficulties including shortness of breath, shallow respiratory cycles, gasping as well as wheezing. It hence becomes essential to inform your treating doctor about known hypersensitivities, if any or prior allergies to betahistine as well as its active ingredients.
Are you living with asthma, COPD, liver problems or stomach ulcers? Stay more cautious
If you are having respiratory conditions like asthma, bronchitis or frequent blockages in your nasal tract, you are advised to stay away from consuming this med. Also, if your family’s clinical track record or medical history has breathing difficulties or other respiratory conditions, your treating physician must know of such problems.
Not stopping with respiratory conditions, if you are living with any liver-based disorders or hepatic dysfunction, you need to talk to your treating doctor about it. As normal functioning of this liver is essential for the absorption of this drug, a dysfunction (such as cirrhosis or hepatitis) can result in a likely accumulation / build-up of the active ingredients of this med. It is highly recommended to consult with your treating physician about the intake of betahistine. If doses are continued without respite, it can soon result in toxicity or can give way to a few other discomforts like discoloration of eyes or skin, changes in the output of urine, etc. Last but not least, if you are living with conditions like stomach ulcers, peptic ulcers or other injuries on the inner walls of your gastric tract, it is not safe to take betahistine.
In essence, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (in short, BPPV) is a condition characterized by head-spin. The discomfort may last for a few minutes. If the dizziness or spinning becomes frequent, you are advised to talk to a qualified medical practitioner. Along with an audiologist and / or a physical therapist, your doctor may advise a few head movements. Apart from these head maneuver, you may also be advised to take betahistine. This drug is commonly used for the reduction of dizziness as well as other inner ear discomforts. However, it is not safe to use betahistine if you are not experiencing the typical signs of BPPV. Intake of betahistine without such signs can only worsen the symptoms of BPPV. It is hence considered as a safe practice to take this drug strictly under the guidance or supervision of a qualified medical team.