Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): Cause
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Cause
Experts believe benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is probably the result of a buildup of particles in the inner ear. This is probably what happens:
- Tiny calcium particles, called canaliths, move abnormally in the inner ear.
- When you move your head a certain way, such as tipping it back to look up, the particles float around in the canal, brushing against tiny hairs that detect movement. When this system is not working normally, the hairs mistakenly tell your brain that you are moving in a way that you are not.
- Because your other balance systems do not detect the same movement, they send conflicting signals to your brain, and vertigo is the result.
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| Last updated: | January 29, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Kathe Gallagher, MSW |
| Reviewed By: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine, Barrie J. Hurwitz, MD - Neurology |
| Editors: | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman |
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