BPPV stands for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
It is a disorder of the inner ear that causes brief episodes of dizziness or disorientation when you change the position of your head, such as when you lie down, roll over in bed, or look up.
The condition is caused by tiny calcium crystals (called otoconia) that become dislodged from their usual place in the inner ear and enter the semicircular canals responsible for detecting rotational motion. When these crystals move improperly, they send incorrect impulses to the brain, causing a feeling of dizziness or spinning.
BPPV can affect anyone, but is especially common in older adults due to age-related changes in the inner ear. People over 50 are more likely to develop BPPV, although younger people can also be affected
Once you have had BPPV, your risk of getting it again is higher, specifically:
- 30% chance of recurrence within the first year
- 50% chance of recurrence throughout your life
This rate increases if your BPPV was caused by a concussion or neck injury.
How can you prevent BPPV from recurring?
It is difficult to predict or prevent recurrent episodes of BPPV, and many cases of BPPV are idiopathic, so there are no identifiable factors that we can address.
However, in some cases, the following methods may be useful to control and prevent BPPV from recurring:
- Vitamin D: If you are deficient in Vitamin D, supplementation can significantly reduce your risk of BPPV recurring. Note that people who already have normal Vitamin D levels will not see any benefit from supplementation.
- Treating low bone density: Calcium carbonate crystals in your inner ear are more likely to break/fracture due to osteoporosis, just as bones in your body are at risk. Identifying and treating this condition can help reduce the frequency of BPPV.
- BPPV on the same side again: BPPV is more likely to affect the same ear than not. If you have repeated episodes of BPPV on the same side, you may find that avoiding sleeping on that side can reduce the chance of recurrence. If this is not possible because you roll over in your sleep, you may want to raise the angle of your bed by placing blocks under the bedposts at the head of the bed.
- Avoid sudden head movements: Pay attention to the position of your head when bending over, rolling over in bed, or looking up.
- Sleep with your head elevated: Sleep with your head elevated. This may help reduce the chance of vertigo attacks while sleeping.
- Exercises: Regular physical activity and balance exercises can help maintain good inner ear function and prevent complications.
- Safety precautions: Prevent falls by using grab bars in the bathroom, making sure your living space is free of tripping hazards, and if necessary, using a cane for balance.
- Keep track of dizziness triggers: Keep track of activities or head positions that cause your dizziness and try to avoid them when possible.
