If your child has been feeling off lately and the whole world seems to be literally off-kilter, your doctor may tell you that your child has vertigo (also known as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo or BPPV). While it's quite frustrating and unpleasant, this is a condition that can be managed and treated. Get to know some of the things to expect when your child is diagnosed with vertigo. Then, you can be sure you are doing everything you can to help them overcome and manage this frustrating condition.
They Will Likely Be Prescribed Medications
One of the ways that you can deal with vertigo is through medications. Certain medications like meclizine and other antihistamines can be used to help with vertigo symptoms.
Generally, these are taken either once daily or every 4-6 hours as needed for vertigo symptoms. These medications can be quite effective and helpful at getting your child through the day and lessening vertigo symptoms such as dizziness and nausea.
Other times, vertigo can be caused by an infection (such as an ear infection), in which case antibiotics and other medications may also be prescribed to resolve the problem. Your child's pediatric doctor may also prescribe a combination of medications to treat both the underlying condition and the vertigo symptoms. Be sure that you have your child take all medications as instructed to get the optimum results and hopefully resolve their vertigo sooner rather than later.
They May Be Prescribed Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is another option for vertigo in children, particularly when it has no infection-related cause. Physical therapy for vertigo involves things like balance training. Your child will learn how to move their eyes in a way to promote proper balance and do other types of exercises to learn to cope with and balance through their vertigo symptoms.
There are also specific physical therapy maneuvers like the Epley maneuver that are designed to help with vertigo and related problems. Your child's physical therapist will walk them through how to do these maneuvers so that they can practice them at home as well as in physical therapy.
Your child often will not need many sessions to complete physical therapy for vertigo. The necessary techniques can be learned quickly and can be applied to their life immediately to improve their condition.
As such, some children only require one physical therapy session. Others may complete two or three to get a better grasp of things and to allow the physical therapist to monitor their progress and adjust the treatments and techniques accordingly.
Knowing what to expect when your child has been diagnosed with vertigo can help you prepare for the treatment process and ensure that you and your child's pediatric doctor are doing everything possible to cope with and treat this condition. Contact a pediatric physician to learn more.
