BPPV - Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
What is it?
BPPV is a benign condition of vertigo triggered by head positioning.
BPPV is the most common type of vestibular disorder affecting 10% of the population. It presents with the acute feeling of spinning (vertigo) with or without associated symptoms; nausea vomiting, sweating and nystagmus (rapid eye movement). It is triggered by head movement. Those suffering from this will commonly report that the room spins, espeically when they go to lay down or tilt the head back.
The mechanism is as follows; an otolith (calcium carbonate formation), also called crystal are in sacs (utricle and saccule) and they are helping your body to detect change of speed. Next to the sacs are 3 semicircular canals filled with fluid which help detect the head position in space. Sometimes a crystal gets dislodges and moves in one of the canals. This sends the wrong message about head movement to the brain which then gives you that awful sensation of spinning.
Factors that can contribute to the development of BPPV:
BPPV is mainly idiopathic (58%), which means unknown cause but some factors have been associated with BPPV such as:
- Head trauma
- Thyroid conditions
- Vitamin D deficiency (Yang et al., 2020)
- Female
- Previous BPPV
- Migraine
- Osteoporosis and osteopenia (lower bone density is associated with BPPV) (He, L., Li, X., Hou, M., and Li X., 2019)
How is it diagnosed?
- Discussion of the symptoms
- Physical examination by a Physiotherpist
- Imaging
How can it be fixed?
- Otolith relocation (Physiotherapist treatment technique called the 'Epley Manoeuvre')
- Habituation exercises
Who should you see?
- Physio
- GP
- Specialist ENT and Neurologist
Our physios at Back In Motion Rosny Park are all trained in assessing and treating BPPV.
If you think you are suffering from BPPV, give us a call on 6281 2499 to book in for an assessment and treatment.
Author: Malo Leseigneur, Physiotherapist (B. Phty)
Reference list:
He, L., Li, X., Hou, M., and Li X., 2019, Association between bone mineral density and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology. 276(6):1561-1571, 2019 Jun. doi:10.10007/s0040
Yang, B., Lu, Y., Xing, D., Zhong, W., Tang, Q., Liu, J and Yang, X., 2020. Association between serum vitamin D levels and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo,European Archives of Oto-rhino Laryngology. 277(1) pp169-177.