Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)

BPPV or Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo is defined by sudden, severe episodes of vertigo of short duration that are brought on by positional changes eg rolling over in bed, looking up or down, and are characterised by rotational vertigo. BPPV is the most common cause of dizziness and is extremely disabling, but with the exact diagnosis and treatment, is resolved on most occasions, very effectively and quickly.

The condition is caused by the dislodgment of otoconia (calcium crystals) through mild head trauma, degeneration (ageing process), and in many cases, no exact cause can be identified. An ENT specialist, GP trained in Vestibular Rehabilitation or a Vestibular Physiotherapist, are skilled to diagnose which canal within the vestibular system the otoconia have displaced to, and via a Canal Repositioning Manoeuvre (previously known as the Epley Manoeuvre) , can assist the otoconia back to their original place within the vestibular system.