What is vertigo?

Vertigo is a sensation in which the surrounding environment appears to spin, often causing dizziness and a feeling of imbalance. It is a symptom of various health conditions rather than a disease itself and may occur along with other related symptoms. There are two main types of vertigo: peripheral vertigo and central vertigo.

Peripheral vertigo occurs due to a problem in the inner ear, which plays a key role in maintaining balance. The affected areas include the vestibular labyrinth and the semi-circular canals. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of peripheral vertigo and results from disturbances within these balance-related structures.

What are the preventive measures for BPPV?

• Keep still, sit, or lie down when symptoms occur.
• Gradually resume activity.
• Avoid sudden position change.
• Do not try to read when symptoms occur.
• Avoid bright lights.
• You may need help walking when acute symptoms occur.

Can audiologists guide the management of BPPV?

What is BPPV?

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is one of the most common causes of vertigo. It is a sudden sensation that a person is spinning or that the inside of the head is spinning. BPPV causes brief episodes of mild to intense dizziness. Specific changes in the position of the head usually trigger it. For example, it might occur when you tip your head up or down, lie down, turn over, or sit in bed.

Although BPPV can be bothersome, it’s rarely serious except when it increases the chance of falls. BPPV is not a sign of a severe problem; it usually disappears within a few days of the first episode.

BPPV develops when calcium carbonate particles (Otoconia) enter your semi-circular canals. This is the inner ear structure that controls balance and becomes trapped. This otoconia may become loose due to injury, infection, or age. As your head position changes, the otoconia roll around a push on tiny hair within semi-circular canals. These hair-like structures called cilia help transmit information about balance to your brain. Vertigo develops when the rolling otoconia stimulates the cilia.