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 | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
| Last updated: | May 25, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman |
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