BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo)

BPPV is a type of vertigo (sensation of the room spinning) which lasts only a few seconds or minutes, but can occur several times a day, often when moving the head in a particular direction/rolling over in bed etc. You might feel ok otherwise in terms of your balance, and it does not usually cause hearing loss, tinnitus or headache.

It is thought to be due to small ‘crystals’ (otoliths) which become blocked in one of the 6 inner ear canals. There is a specific bedside test that your ENT consultant will perform if BPPV is suspected, called the Dix-Hallpike maneouvre, to check if BPPV is a cause, and on which side. The treatment for BPPV is a positioning maneouvre call the Epley, which can be done in clinic. This might fully treat the condition but in some cases further Epley maneouvres maybe required, and can be undertaken at home.