Introduction to Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
Introduction[edit | edit source]
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.[1]
While the overall incidence of BPPV in the general population is around 2.5 percent,[1] it is more common in older adults. Some studies show that 50 percent of older adults have BPPV.[2]
Symptoms tend to be provoked by head movements, such as:[3]
- 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.[3] 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.[3][4] For more information on the anatomy of the vestibular system, please click here.
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 von Brevern M, Radtke A, Lezius F, Feldmann M, Ziese T, Lempert T et al. Epidemiology of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: a population based study. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2007;78(7):710-5.
- ↑ Balatsouras DG, Koukoutsis G, Fassolis A, Moukos A, Apris A. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in the elderly: current insights. Clin Interv Aging. 2018;13:2251-66.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Tonks B. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Course. Physioplus, 2021.
- ↑ Palmeri R, Kumar A. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. [Updated 2020 Jun 29]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470308/
