What Is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo?

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is a condition of the inner ear in which the moving of the head causes a sensation of dizziness. When it occurs, it may feel as if the room is spinning and it may be accompanied by a loss of balance. BPPV is one of the most common types of vertigo.

Features

• The inner ear contains the structures which are responsible for relaying messages of position to the brain. Damage, or dysfunction, which displaces particles within the inner ear, causes benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Time Frame

• An episode of vertigo due to BPPV occurs suddenly and lasts up to a minute. The dizziness can be very severe in intensity, but usually starts to improve after 30 seconds.

Effects

• Nausea, vomiting, blurred vision and lightheadedness may all occur during an episode. Nystagmus, or atypical eye movement, is characteristic of BPPV and is the key to diagnosis.

Treatment

• Initial treatment involves therapy in which the head is manipulated in order to reposition the displaced inner ear particles. Surgery may be an option in those cases in which positional therapy is not successful or possible.

Considerations

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo typically resolves on its own in six weeks, but it can affect a person for years. No matter the duration of the condition, slow positional changes and sitting upon onset of vertigo may help prevent falls and injuries.

Warning

• The incidence of BPPV increases with age, with most patients being over the age of 60. There is an increased risk of injurious falls due to BPPV in this age group.