Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Question 1

What is BPPV?

Answer 1

The sensation of spinning with certain head movements as a result of a problem in the inner ear

Question 2

What is the most common cause of vertigo?

Answer 2

BPPV

Question 3

What does BPPV cause?

Answer 3

causes brief episodes of mild to intense dizziness.

Question 4

What is BPPV usually triggered by?

Answer 4

It is usually triggered by specific changes in your head’s position. This might occur when you tip your head up or down, when you lie down, or when you turn over or sit up in bed.

Question 5

What are typical symptoms of BPPV?

Answer 5

Dizziness
A sense that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving (vertigo)
A loss of balance or unsteadiness
Nausea
Vomiting

Question 6

How long do symptoms of BPPV commonly last?

Answer 6

The signs and symptoms of BPPV can come and go and commonly last less than one minute. Episodes of BPPV can disappear for some time and then recur.

Question 7

What usually accompanies the symptoms of BPPV?

Answer 7

Abnormal rhythmic eye movements

Question 8

When should a patient visit a doctor?

Answer 8

Generally, see your doctor if you experience any recurrent, sudden, severe, or prolonged and unexplained dizziness or vertigo

Question 9

When should a patient attend emergency care?

Answer 9

Although it’s uncommon for dizziness to signal a serious illness, see your doctor immediately if you experience dizziness or vertigo along with any of the following:

A new, different or severe headache
A fever
Double vision or loss of vision
Hearing loss
Trouble speaking
Leg or arm weakness
Loss of consciousness
Falling or difficulty walking
Numbness or tingling

Question 10

what is idiopathic Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo?

Answer 10

When there is no known cause for the BPPV

Question 11

What is the most common known cause for BPPV?

Answer 11

a minor to severe blow to your head.

Question 12

What are some other less common causes of BPPV?

Answer 12

Damage to the inner ear
long periods positioned on your back
migraines

Question 13

What is the vestibular labyrinth?

Answer 13

A tiny organ in the ear.
It includes three loop-shaped structures (semicircular canals) that contain fluid and fine, hairlike sensors that monitor your head’s rotation.

Question 14

What is the otolith organs responsible for?

Answer 14

monitor your head’s movements — up and down, right and left, back and forth — and your head’s position related to gravity

Question 15

What does the otolith organ contain that make you sensitive to gravity?

Answer 15

Crystals

Question 16

What makes one feel dizzy?

Answer 16

For many reasons, these crystals can become dislodged. When they become dislodged, they can move into one of the semicircular canals — especially while you’re lying down. This causes the semicircular canal to become sensitive to head position changes it would normally not respond to, which is what makes you feel dizzy.

Question 17

What are risk factors for BPPV?

Answer 17

-occurs most often in people age 50 and older, but can occur at any age.
- more common in woman than in men
- A head injury

Question 18

What is the biggest complication of BPPV?

Answer 18

Makes you more susceptible to falls.

Question 19

What things are looked out for during a physical exam for BPPV?

Answer 19

1. Signs and symptoms of dizziness that are prompted by eye or head movements and then decrease in less than one minute
2. Dizziness with specific eye movements that occur when you lie on your back with your head turned to one side and tipped slightly over the edge of the examination bed
3. Involuntary movements of your eyes from side to side
4. Inability to control your eye movements

Question 20

What other imaging/ investigations can be used to diagnose BPPV?

Answer 20

1. Electronystagmography (ENG) or videonystagmography (VNG)
2. MRI

Question 21

How does Electronystagmography (ENG) or videonystagmography (VNG) work to diagnose BPPV?

Answer 21

The purpose of these tests is to detect abnormal eye movement. ENG (which uses electrodes) or VNG (which uses small cameras) can help determine if dizziness is due to inner ear disease by measuring involuntary eye movements while your head is placed in different positions or your balance organs are stimulated with water or air.

Question 22

How does an MRI help diagnose BPPV?

Answer 22

This test uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create cross-sectional images of your head and body. Your doctor can use these images to identify and diagnose a range of conditions. MRI may be performed to rule out other possible causes of vertigo.

Question 23

Can BPPV clear by itself?

Answer 23

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo may go away on its own within a few weeks or months.

Question 24

What is the treatment for BPPV?

Answer 24

1. Canalith repositioning
2. Surgery

Question 25

What is canalith repositioning?

Answer 25

the canalith repositioning procedure consists of several simple and slow maneuvers for positioning your head. The goal is to move particles from the fluid-filled semicircular canals of your inner ear into a tiny baglike open area (vestibule) that houses one of the otolith organs in your ear, where these particles don’t cause trouble and are more easily resorbed.

Question 26

How quickly does the canalith repositioning usually work?

Answer 26

Each position is held for about 30 seconds after any symptoms or abnormal eye movements stop. This procedure usually works after one or two treatments.

Your doctor will likely teach you how to perform the procedure on yourself so that you can do it at home if needed.

Question 27

What is treatment if canalith repositioning doesn’t work?

Answer 27

a surgical procedure. In this procedure, a bone plug is used to block the portion of your inner ear that’s causing dizziness. The plug prevents the semicircular canal in your ear from being able to respond to particle movements or head movements in general.

Question 28

What is the success rate for the canal plugging surgery?

Answer 28

90%

Question 29

What advice can be given to cope with BPPV?

Answer 29

Be aware of the possibility of losing your balance, which can lead to falling and serious injury.
Avoid movements, such as looking up, that bring on the symptoms.
Sit down immediately when you feel dizzy.
Use good lighting if you get up at night.
Walk with a cane for stability if you’re at risk of falling.

Question 30

Can BPPV reoccur even after a successful surgery?

Answer 30

Yes