Understanding Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): Causes, Symptoms, and Management

What is it?

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is an inner ear disorder that causes you to feel highly dizzy, as if the room is spinning around you.
This intense sensation of dizziness, also called vertigo, if often brief, lasting from a few seconds to a minute. As the name implies, it is positional, meaning it is triggered by certain positions of your head.
BPPV is thought to be caused by a misplaced collection of calcium in your inner ear, responsible for balance. Although very unpleasant, it is not a sign of a serious health problem.

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Signs & symptoms

The main symptom of BPPV is a short vertigo, lasting just a short time - typically for 20-30 seconds and usually no longer than a minute. It then goes away completely if you keep your head still. The vertigo is usually triggered by a change in head position.
With each episode you may be feeling nausea, that will last after the dizziness is already gone.
In between episodes you will feel well.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history.
In order to confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will perform the Dix-Hallpike maneuver, in which he or she will watch your eyes while turning your head and helping you lie back.

Treatment

In most cases, BPPV can resolve on its own in a few weeks.
Your doctor may be able to stop it using quite simple maneuvers called either Epley maneuver or Canalith repositioning in his office bed.

☝️ This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision.

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Source of Information - We analyze big data of more than 23 million patients de-identified medical records from the following sources:

National Institution of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ University of Illinois hospital