Vertigo is the unsettling feeling that you, or the world around you, is spinning or moving when it is not. It is not the same as simply feeling lightheaded or faint. Vertigo is a symptom rather than a disease, and in ENT practice one of its most common causes is a condition called BPPV.

What is BPPV?

BPPV stands for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Inside your inner ear are tiny crystals that help your brain sense movement. In BPPV, some of these crystals become dislodged and float into the wrong part of the balance organ. This sends confusing signals to the brain, triggering short, intense bouts of spinning, usually brought on by changes in head position.

Common symptoms

The classic sign of BPPV is brief but powerful vertigo when you roll over in bed, look up, or bend down. Episodes typically last less than a minute but can feel alarming. Some people also experience nausea, unsteadiness, and a sense of imbalance between attacks.

Other causes of vertigo

Vertigo can also be caused by inner ear infections, Meniere's disease, migraine, and, less commonly, problems in the brain. The pattern, duration, and triggers of your dizziness help an ENT specialist work out the cause.

How is it treated?

The good news is that BPPV is very treatable. A simple in-clinic procedure called the Epley manoeuvre gently guides the displaced crystals back into place and relieves symptoms in most people, often within one or two sessions. Specific balance exercises can help too. Other causes of vertigo are treated according to their underlying source.

When should you see a doctor?

See an ENT specialist if dizziness is recurrent, severe, or affecting your daily life. Seek urgent care if vertigo comes with sudden hearing loss, severe headache, double vision, slurred speech, weakness, or difficulty walking, as these need prompt assessment.

Most causes of vertigo, especially BPPV, respond very well to treatment, so there is no need to simply live with the spinning.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a qualified doctor for diagnosis and treatment.