Created: October 01, 2011 | Revised: October 25, 2011 | Last Reviewed: October 25, 2011
Author(s): Susan J. Herdman, PT, PhD, FAPTA

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of vertigo due to a peripheral vestibular disorder. BPPV has been reported in adults of all ages, but it is rare in children. People with BPPV usually have a spinning sensation that is triggered by such activities as lying down, rolling over in bed, and bending over and looking up. Most often, BPPV occurs spontaneously, but it also may follow head trauma, neuritis affecting the superior vestibular nerve, or ischemia in the distribution of the anterior vestibular artery. BPPV is a mechanical problem resulting from displacement of otoconia from the utricle to one of the semicircular canals (SCCs) of the inner ear. Physical therapists confirm a diagnosis of BPPV by observation of nystagmus—involuntary eye movement--when the patient is placed in a position that provokes symptoms. Treatments primarily are based on the SCC involved, generally take only a few minutes to perform, and have a high rate of success.