BPPV
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Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV, is a condition of the inner ear that causes vertigo symptoms.
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BPPV stands for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, and it’s a condition of the inner ear that can cause dizziness. BPPV is one of the main causes of vertigo, and it’s often triggered by specific head movements.
What these movements are may differ from person to person, but it’s often movements that cause your head to move suddenly, such as laying down, standing up, stooping or bending forwards.
Anyone can get BPPV, but it’s more common in women, or people between the ages of 50 and 70. It can appear following a head injury, ear surgery, or an episode of any condition that affects the inner ear, such as Meniere’s disease or labyrinthitis.
BPPV is the most common cause of vertigo, and although it’s hard to pinpoint how many people have BPPV at any given time, it’s estimated that around 2.4% of the world’s population will experience it at some point in their lifetime.
Incidence also increases with age, so BPPV is much more common in older people. And although it’s highly treatable and curable, there’s around a 50% chance it’ll recur within five years.
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BPPV is thought to be caused by tiny crystals that form in the inner ear called otoconia. When your head moves, these crystals also move in the semicircular canals and agitate the fluid in your inner ear, causing symptoms of vertigo. That’s why sudden movements often trigger BPPV.
BPPV can also be caused by an infection, which is particularly likely to be the case with younger people, whilst otoconia are the most likely cause in older people.
BPPV is often associated with dizziness, but there are other symptoms you can experience, such as:
BPPV usually doesn’t result in any serious complications, but the condition itself may lead to some harm (it can cause you to fall over and get hurt due to loss of balance, for example). This can happen especially often to older people who suffer from BPPV.
BPPV may also decrease your quality of life or cause emotional distress. This is why treatment is so important, because even though the condition won’t lead to any particularly worse conditions, your well-being might still be at risk.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
BPPV is usually treated with antihistamines - a group of medications that block signals in the brain which can cause symptoms of vertigo. But if the BPPV is caused by an infection, particularly an ear infection, you might need to take antibiotics.
If your BPPV is caused by otoconia, bio-crystals in your ears that help you with balance, your clinician might try something called the Epley manoeuvre. This manoeuvre involves moving your head in certain ways to try to displace the crystals. The procedure only takes a few minutes and has been shown to cure up to 72% of BPPV cases on the first treatment.
There are also exercises called Brandt-Daroff exercises that are used to treat BPPV, and your clinician may advise you to do them for a while until your symptoms are gone.
BPPV doesn’t always need treatment. You might be able to manage your BPPV until it goes away on its own by avoiding triggers, reducing stress, and waiting out episodes. This is usually the preferred course of ‘treatment’ if your symptoms are mild.
In other words, you can avoid BPPV triggers by limiting sudden head movements. You’ll just need to try to be mindful of your condition whenever you need to stand up, lay down, or bend to pick something up. Stress can also be a trigger, so try to take some time off to relax every day so that your stress levels don't increase too much.
Waiting out episodes simply means sitting down and avoiding moving until your vertigo symptoms are gone. Sometimes closing your eyes can help too, but make sure you’re sitting down to avoid losing your balance.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
Epidemiology of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: a population based study. Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry, [online] 78(7), pp.710–5.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV).
Diagnosis and management of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). CMAJ: Canadian Medical Association Journal, [online] 169(7), pp.681–693.
Efficacy of Epley’s Maneuver in Treating BPPV Patients: A Prospective Observational Study. International Journal of Otolaryngology, [online] 2015, pp.1–5.
Dix Hallpike Maneuver. [online] Nih.gov.
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