Navigation
[TITLE]

[MESSAGE]

[BUTTONS]

Popular questions...

Content

How common is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo?

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is common, estimated to account for around half of all cases of vertigo in adults over the age of 60.

FAQ Frequently asked questions

What is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo?

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is the most common cause of vertigo. It is characterized by a sudden feeling of vertigo when your head moves. This is caused by a problem with the inner ear, which is the part of your body that controls …

What are the symptoms of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo?

The main symptom of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is intense but brief episodes of vertigo, brought on by changes in the position of the head.

What causes benign paroxysmal positional vertigo?

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is caused by the abnormal presence of tiny fragments of debris in the inner ear, which move around and overstimulate nerves. The brain mistakenly interprets these nerve messages as changes in the body's …

Who gets benign paroxysmal positional vertigo?

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is most common in adults over the age of 60, and females are more likely to experience it.

How is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo treated?

Many people will not need any treatment. When treatment is required, it is typically based on a procedure called the Epley maneuver, which involves a doctor performing certain head movements on a patient to reposition the crystals in …

Will benign paroxysmal positional vertigo clear on its own?

Many mild cases of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo will resolve on their own in a matter of weeks or months.

Can benign paroxysmal positional vertigo be prevented?

There is no known prevention for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, apart from wearing head protection during sporting activities to reduce the chance of head injuries.

Will benign paroxysmal positional vertigo keep coming back?

for some people, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo can recur.

Is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo serious?

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is not a serious disorder, and there are typically no complications commonly associated with it.

Related topics

Diseases & conditions

Meniere’s disease

Meniere's disease is a condition of the inner ear that causes attacks of dizziness, loss of balance, ringing and hearing loss. It's thought that a build-up of fluid in the inner ear causes the pressure to rise, disrupting the hearing and balance signals from the inner ear to the brain.…
Diseases & conditions

Vertigo

Vertigo is a term used to describe feelings of spinning, unsteadiness or dizziness in the head. It is most often caused by a problem with the inner ear, which controls balance. Treatment can include simple procedures, medication and balance exercises.…
Diseases & conditions

Motion sickness

Motion sickness describes the feelings of dizziness and nausea that occur when you’re travelling in a moving vehicle. Your eyes may see the landscape passing by at high speed, while the balance sensors in your inner ear are sensing that you’re sitting still. This confusing information is felt as motion sickness.…
Diseases & conditions

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)

Supraventricular tachycardia is an abnormally rapid heart rhythm that can be in excess of 200 beats per minute. It is caused by an interruption to the heart’s normal electrical circuit. Treatment options aim to restore this electrical activity.…

About this article

Author: Lauren Donley BSc (Hons)
First answered: 10 Nov 2014
Last reviewed: 19 May 2018
Rating: 4.0 out of 5
Votes: 251 (Click smiley face below to rate)
Category: Meniere’s disease

×

Content goes in here.