Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

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Helpful information for better health for Canadian patients from Dr. Bouchard
What is benign positional vertigo (BPV)?
BPV, also known as paroxysmal positional verti-
go, is a spinning sensation of the head (vertigo)
brought on by a cer tain position of the head,
usually sudden changes of position. The w ord
"benign" means it is not a serious condition and is
likely to get better eventually.
What is the cause of BPV?
In most people the cause is unknown and there
is often no precipitating cause, but it can follow
viral infections or accidents causing head or neck
injuries. There are two theories to explain BPV:
1. There are tiny piec es of !oating debris-like
small crystals in the !uid of the balance centre
of the inner ear (the labyrinth). These bits of sed-
iment upset the balance centre when disturbed.
This is the most favoured theory.
2. A problem exists in the neck, usually a "kink" in
some of the swivel joints. The neck is connected to
the balance centre by special nervous pathways.
What are the symptoms?
t
A brief attack of severe dizziness (vertigo), usu-
ally for about 10-30 seconds, that comes on a few
seconds after a certain head movement.
t
Quickly subsiding dizziness - it is a self-cor-
recting problem.