Paroxysmal positional vertigo (PPV): what it is and when to be concerned

By Cristiano Antonino On Feb 8, 2023

What is paroxysmal positional vertigo (PPV)? Vertigo is one of the symptoms that most often prompts patients to seek medical attention or go to the emergency room, a symptom in the presence of which the sufferer has the impression that their surroundings are moving or rotating all around them, that they cannot keep their balance or cannot walk in a straight line

Often, vertigo sufferers also complain of other symptoms, including: nausea, vomiting, sweating, hearing loss

Vertigo can occur as a result of a problem with the vestibular apparatus of the inner ear, or due to a problem affecting the brain:

vertigo resulting from an impairment of the vestibular apparatus – which is the organ of balance – is called peripheral vertigo;
vertigo that, on the other hand, results from a problem in the brain – to be precise, either the cerebellum or the brainstem – is better known as central vertigo.

Recognising their cause and treating them is very important, because this disorder not only makes daily activities impossible, but can also be an indicator of other illnesses.

In order to be able to treat vertigo correctly, the earliest possible diagnosis is essential, which correctly identifies the diagnosis and, if necessary, starts treatment immediately.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (PPV) is the most frequent cause of peripheral vertigo

The cause is said to be the movement of calcium carbonate crystals within the semicircular canals that are part of the vestibular apparatus.

With their movement, these calcium carbonate crystals would impair the proper functioning of the balance organ and cause the typical sensation of the room spinning around.

Most common in the elderly population, PPV (paroxysmal positional vertigo) tends to occur without any particular reason

However, in rare circumstances, it does appear after an ear infection, ear surgery, head trauma or a long period in bed.

In the case of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, the treatment is simple: having identified the semicircular canal in which the otoliths have ended up, the ENT specialist performs a series of manoeuvres on the patient that allow, with a simple movement, to get them out, solving the problem.