Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo(BPPV; Benign Positional Vertigo, BPV; Positional Vertigo of Barany)Pronounced: Ba-nine Par-ox-see-mal Positional Ver-ta-go
by
Patricia Griffin Kellicker, BSN DefinitionVertigo is a feeling of movement or spinning when you are still. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) happens when the vertigo is caused by changes in the position of the head. This might include standing after bending down, turning the head in bed, or extending the neck to look up. People with BPPV can often identify which moves cause the most problems. CausesThe inner ear contains tiny hairs and tiny crystals. These tiny hairs can sense movement and help you keep your balance. BPPV occurs because of a shift in location of these crystals or the clumping of these crystals. When this happens, your brain gets signals that you are moving when you are really not moving. This causes the feeling of movement.
In some cases, the cause of BPPV is unknown. In others, it may be caused by:
Risk FactorsIncreased age raises your chances of getting BPPV. SymptomsSymptoms may include:
DiagnosisYou will be asked about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Part of the process will be to eliminate other disorders. Tests may be advised to help determine the cause of vertigo symptoms. Tests may include:
TreatmentMany times BPPV can resolve on its own, usually within months of onset. Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include the following: Vestibular RehabilitationSpecific vestibular exercises may be advised. These exercises use a series of eye, head, and body movements to get the body used to moving without dizziness. You may work with a physical therapist to learn these. Canalith RepositioningThis procedure (also called the Epley maneuver) is done in your doctor’s office or your physical therapist's office. Your doctor will move your head in different positions to try to resettle the tiny crystals. The procedure is sometimes repeated and you may be taught how to do it at home. SurgerySome people with BPPV have surgery. During surgery, a piece of wax may be used to plug 1 area of your ear. This will prevent fluid in your inner ear from moving. Another type of surgery that may be done involves cutting the nerve from the inner ear. PreventionThere are no current guidelines to prevent BPPV. RESOURCES:American
Academy
of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery http://www.entnet.org Family Doctor—American
Academy
of Family Physicians Family Doctor http://familydoctor.org CANADIAN RESOURCES:Canadian Academy of Audiology http://www.canadianaudiology.ca Canadian Society of Otolaryngology http://www.entcanada.org References:Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Updated July 2017. Accessed February 15, 2018.
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:
http://www.dynamed...
. Updated December 18, 2017. Accessed February 15, 2018.
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. The Merck Manual Professional Edition website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Updated January 2017. Accessed February 15, 2018. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Vestibular Disorders Association website. Available at:
https://vestibular.org/understanding-vestibular-disorders/types-vestibular-disorders/benign-paroxysmal-positional-vertigo. Accessed February 15, 2018. Post RE, Dickerson LM. Dizziness: A diagnostic approach.
Am Fam Physician. 2010;82(4):369.
9/10/2014 DynaMed Plus Systematic Literature Surveillance.
http://www.dynamed...: University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing, Family Practitioner Program. Evaluation of vertigo in the adult patient. Austin (Tx): University of Texas at Austin, School of Nursing; 2014 May. 19 p. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Accessed September 10, 2014. Last reviewed March 2018 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Rimas Lukas, MD Last Updated: 9/10/2014 | |
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