BPPV - Your Questions Answered

How did I get BPPV?
1. Increasing age predisposes you to get loose particles in the inner ear.
2. Infections of the ear often cause these particles to come loose.
3. Head trauma and car accidents are the main cause of BPPV in young people.

How long will an episode of BPPV last?
The episodes themselves can last up to several minutes each over a period of several months. Most people get better spontaneously after months or years. However, people who have a single episode of BPPV will likely have further episodes in their lifetime.

Is this very common?
Yes. BPPV is the most common cause of dizziness related to the ear. Approximately 3 million new people are diagnosed with BPPV per year in the United States alone.

Will it come back?
Unfortunately this is very likely. The recurrence rate is somewhere between 20% and 60%. Fortunately a good treatment exists.

Why does it recur?
The manoeuvres to treat BPPV do not permanently remove the particles which cause dizziness. These manoeuvres simply relocate the particles to an area of the inner ear which does not cause vertigo. However, after several months or years these particles can find their way back into areas of the inner ear which are problematic.

How can I reduce the chance of having it again?
There is very little which effects the recurrence rate of BPPV.

Will flying or swimming worsen my BPPV?
No. Flying can affect certain ear conditions which are pressure related. BPPV is not one of them.

Is there anything which makes BPPV worse or better?
Yes. Stress, and lack of sleep both make the symptoms worse. Some people think a poor diet and alcohol intake also make the symptoms worse.

What are the crystals made of?
The "otoconia" crystals are primarily made up of calcium. Although they are a normal part of the inner ear, they are not supposed to be free floating.

What else can I do?
Medications like sedatives, antihistamines and anti-nauseants do help to a certain degree. Visit your family doctor to rule out other causes of dizziness.
Time often helps patients cope with dizziness. BPPV resolves spontaneously in most people after a period of between 3 months to 2 years.
There is a surgical procedure for BPPV called 'Posterior Semi-circular Canal Occlusion' but it involves drilling into the mastoid bone, which is the very thick bone behind the ear. It has certain risks associated with it and should be considered akin to brain surgery. Unless the symptoms are very severe this is not a reasonable option for most people.
Complementary therapy has been tried by many patients. Acupuncture, Chiropractic and Naturopathic treatments may have benefit but this has yet to be quantified scientifically.