Benign positional vertigo (spinning)

Ear Nose | Otorhinolaryngology | Benign positional vertigo (spinning) (Disease)


Description

Benign positional vertigo is characterized by a sudden sensation of spinning, usually when moving the head. It is the most common cause of vertigo.

People with this condition feel as though they are spinning or moving, or that the world is spinning around them. The symptoms that can be present are: nausea, vomiting, hearing loss, and a loss of balance, vision problems, such as a feeling that things are jumping or moving.

The spinning sensation: is usually triggered by moving the head, often starts suddenly, lasts a few seconds to minutes. For most of the patients, the spinning feels triggered when they roll over in bed or tilt their head up to look at something.

Causes and Risk factors

Benign positional vertigo is caused by a disturbance in the inner ear. The inner ear has fluid-filled tubes called semicircular canals. When a small piece of bone-like calcium breaks free and floats within the tube of the inner ear, benign positional vertigo develops.

Diagnosis and Treatment

To diagnose benign positional vertigo, the health care provider will often perform a test called the Dix-Hallpike maneuver. Tests that may be done include: EEG, Electronystagmography (ENG), head CT, head MRI, hearing test, Magnetic resonance angiography of the head, warming and cooling the inner ear with water (caloric stimulation) or air to test eye movements.

The most effective treatment is a procedure called Epleys maneuver, which can move the small piece of bone-like calcium that is floating inside your inner ear. Occasionally, medications may be prescribed to relieve the spinning sensations. ...