Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
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Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is an inner ear problem that causes a spinning or whirling sensation (vertigo) when a person moves his or her head a certain way. It is believed to occur when tiny calcium stones move around in the ear canal and send false signals to the brain.
Vertigo that lasts less than a minute is the main symptom of BPPV. The vertigo is triggered by a certain head movement.
Treatment usually involves a series of head movements to move the debris in the inner ear in a way that does not affect balance. BPPV may briefly go away but can return without warning. Avoiding the positions that cause vertigo may prevent symptoms.
Credits
| Author | Kathe Gallagher, MSW |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Barrie J. Hurwitz, MD - Neurology |
| Last Updated | January 29, 2007 |
| Last updated: | January 29, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Kathe Gallagher, MSW |
| Reviewed By: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine, Barrie J. Hurwitz, MD - Neurology |
| Editors: | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC |
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