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• 22 May, 2023

BPPV / Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

BPPV / Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

It is an unpleasant sensation of spinning and is brought on by sudden changes in positions. BPPV is the most common cause of vertigo. It is caused when tiny particles in the balance centre of inner ear are disturbed usually by sudden movement.

Symptoms.

•  Spinning sensation of body or surroundings usually aggravated with head movements
• Light headedness
• imbalance
• Tendency to vomit

Pain, ringing in ears and deafness are not commonly associated with BPPV.

Diagnosis of Treatment
BPPV is usually diagnosed by certain specific position tests done – where the patient is made to do swift change in the position under supervision. If the vertigo is due to partial dislodgement from the inner ear, there will be subjective feel of vertigo and nystagmus (a sudden eye movement) on performing the test.
The specific treatment includes repositioning manouvers based on the result of position text. Also there are some follow up exercises to be performed at home.
When you have associated symptoms like speech difficult double vision, altered strength or sensation in legs or arms, in ringing ears  or deafness It points to conditioning others than BPPV.
Other medical conditions that should be ruled out in vertigo are head injury, stroke, circulation problems, infections, inner ear disorder, degeneration of inner ear structures, etc.
Done by ENT Dr. Parvathy,
Topic - Vertigo