Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo -A disorder caused by problems in the inner
ear. Its symptoms are repeated episodes of positional vertigo, a spinning sensation
caused by changes in the position of the head.
Symptoms:
Vertigo - Spinning dizziness which is not light headed or off balance.
Short duration - Lasts only seconds to minutes
Positional in onset - induced by a change in position.
Nausea (associated)
Visual disturbance - It may be difficult to read or see during an attack due to the
associated nystagmus.
Feeling faint or Fainting (rare).
Vomiting (uncommon but possible).
Signs:
Rotatory nystagmus - the top of the eye rotates towards the affected ear in a beating
or twitching fashion.
Other neurological deficits such as numbness or weakness are not experienced. If
present, a more serious etiology must be considered.
Two treatments have been found effective for relieving symptoms of posterior canal
BPPV:
The Epley manoeuvre - employs gravity to move the calcium build-up that causes the
condition.2 The particle repositioning manoeuvre can be performed during a clinic
visit by health professionals or taught to people to practice at home
The Semont manoeuvre - people themselves are able to achieve canalith repositioning.3
Only limited data is available that compares the two treatments, and it is not known
which is more effective.
