BPPV : When Your World Starts Spinning
Have you ever felt like the room is spinning around you, even when you’re standing still? This strange sensation is called vertigo, and one of its most common causes is a condition known as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, or BPPV for short. Let’s dive into what BPPV is all about and explore its different types.
What is BPPV?
BPPV is a problem in your inner ear that makes you feel dizzy when you move your head in certain ways1. It’s called “benign” because it’s not dangerous, “paroxysmal” because it comes and goes quickly, and “positional” because it happens when you change your head position7.
Imagine tiny crystals in your ear that help you keep your balance. Sometimes, these crystals can break loose and end up in the wrong part of your ear. When you move your head, these misplaced crystals send confusing signals to your brain, making you feel like everything is spinning17.
Each word in the name describes part of the disorder:
- benign – not a life-threatening problem
- paroxysmal – the symptoms come and go quickly
- positional – happens with changes in head position like lying down or looking up
- vertigo – like you or the room is spinning.
Types of BPPV
Now, let’s talk about the different types of BPPV. There are three main types, named after the parts of the inner ear they affect10:
1. Posterior Canal BPPV
This is the most common type of BPPV1. It happens when the crystals get into the back part of your inner ear. If you have this type, you might feel dizzy when you lie down or sit up quickly3.
2. Horizontal Canal BPPV
This type occurs when the crystals end up in the side part of your inner ear. It can make you feel dizzy when you turn your head from side to side while lying down4.
3. Anterior Canal BPPV
This is the least common type. It affects the front part of your inner ear and can cause dizziness when you look up or down10.
How Do We Find Out Which Type You Have?
Doctors use special tests to figure out which type of BPPV you have. They might ask you to lie down and move your head in certain ways while they watch your eyes. The way your eyes move can tell them which part of your ear is causing the problem49.
Can BPPV Be Treated?
Yes, it can! The good news is that BPPV can often be treated right in the doctor’s office. The treatment involves a series of head movements called the canalith repositioning procedure. These movements help guide the loose crystals back to where they belong in your ear8.