What is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)?

BPPV is means of Benign Paraxysmal Positional Vertigo disease. BPPV is one type of dizziness disease which is due to composed debris at inner part of ear. Debris of ear is also called as ear rock which is little stone of calcium carbonate resulting from a structure in the ear. It is very common disorder. Benign Paraxysmal Positional Vertigo is also one type of disease of nervous system. BPPV is just dizziness or vertigo because of disorder of inner ear.

Snippets and Brief History of BPPV

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a ear disorder in which the inner ear is infected. The symptoms include repeated episodes of positional vertigo, in which the head spins when there is a change in the head position. Vertigo symptoms are generally due to BPPV.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo causes short lived intense dizziness when a person move the head in a specific direction. It is caused by tiny particles of debris in the inner ear area called labyrinth. The condition generally goes away in about 2-3 weeks time. Still there are some head positioning therapies which can cure the BPPV by ensuring that the debris is moved out.

BPPV was first introduced and explained to the world by Dr. Barany in 1921.

Epidemiology of BPPV

In the United State, 64 person per 100,000 people were reported to have BPPV. It is generally more seen in women and older people in the age range of 51 to 57 years. It is rarely see in younger people with age below 35.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common issue related to Vertigo in the United States.

What are Causes of BPPV?

Head injury is cause of BPPV.
Viral infection of ear is also reason of BPPV disease.
Cervical vertigo disease is also cause of Benign Paraxysmal Positional Vertigo.
Main cause of BPPV is damage of inner ear.
Meniere's disease is major but strange cause of BPPV.
BPPV is because of recurring neuritis of the inferior vestibular nerves.
Collapse vestibular system of the inner ear is main cause of BPPV.

Symptoms of BPPV

Loss of balance
Dizziness
Sickness
Feeling of moving surrounding
Vomiting
Unclear visualization
Shakiness
Irregular rhythmic eye movement

Diagnosis of BPPV

In diagnosis of BPPV, history of patient and physical examination are very essential for tested BPPV.
Auditory test is play an important role in diagnosis of Benign Paraxysmal Positional Vertigo disease.
Modern techniques of testing BPPV are Electronystagmography and Videonystagmography.
Cross sectional images of head structure and eyes structure are important for diagnosis of BPPV which is carried out by MRI.
Dix-Hallpike maneuver is the typical medical test for BPPV

How can treat BPPV disease?

Different Doctors, audiologists and physical therapists are cooperates an important function in treatment of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo disease.

In treatment of BPPV, modification in regular activity is very important such as use of 2 pillows at the time of sleeping.
Motion sickness medications are supportive for cure of BPPV disease.
Keep away from sleeping on the bad side and don't rotate your head far up or down.
Sometimes, surgical treatment such as canal plugging surgery is necessary for curing BPPV.
There are some medications such as Antiemetic, Antihistamines, and Sedatives. You can use of this medicine under guidance of Doctors.

The Semont maneuver which is a four step head movement exercise can cure BPPV. The success rate of Semont Maneuver is about 90.3%.