Introduction to Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Introduction Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of vertigo that arises from a peripheral vestibular disorder. It accounts for 20 to 30 percent of all patients seen for vertigo in clinics that specialise in dizziness. VON BREVERN

While the overall incidence of BPPV in the general population is around 2.5 percent VON BREVERN, it is more common in older adults. Some studies show that 50 percent of older adults have BPPV. BALATSOURAS (?LINK TO INTRO PAGE)

Symptoms tend to be provoked by head movements, such as: WEB Looking up Lying down flat quickly Bending forwards Rolling in bed

BPPV is a biomechanical problem in which one or more of the semicircular canals is inappropriately excited, resulting in vertigo, nystagmus and occasionally nausea. WEB

It occurs when there is displacement of calcium-carbonate crystals or otoconia from the utricle into one of the three fluid-filled semicircular canals of the inner ear. PALMERI and WEB For more information on the anatomy of the vestibular system, please click here. LINK