Meniere’s Disease and Concurrent BPPV in an Older Adult: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Meniere’s disease (MD) is an inner ear disorder which frequently predisposes someone to benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). The purpose of this case report was to explore the PT management of MD and concurrent BPPV.

Case description: A 66-year-old women, self-referred to PT, was evaluated and treated for complaints of vertigo. She had a previous diagnosis of MD and multiple comorbidities. Two clinical impressions resulted; MD and bilateral BPPV. Examination and intervention for each is described.

Discussion: The client in this case had several risk factors in addition to the MD that predisposed her to BPPV. The MD symptoms were not changed with PT, but her BPPV symptoms were able to be alleviated with PT.

Conclusion: Treatment of BPPV can greatly improve the quality of life in a person with MD and therefore should be evaluated if symptoms of intermittent vertigo are present.

Keywords:

• Meniere’s Disease
• BPPV
• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
• quality of life