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Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Written by Andrew Le, MD.
Medically reviewed by Jeffrey M. Rothschild, MD, MPH.
Associate Professor of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Last updated June 11, 2024
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  1. Overview
  2. Symptoms
  3. Treatment
On this page
Overview
Symptoms
Treatment
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Written by Andrew Le, MD.
Medically reviewed by
Jeffrey M. Rothschild, MD, MPH.
Associate Professor of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Last updated June 11, 2024

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo quiz

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What is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo?

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common type of vertigo. Symptoms range from mild to severe and usually last for just a few minutes. They often disappear on their own but can come back in 15% to 20% of people.

BPPV occurs when calcium carbonate crystals that are normally found in a part of your inner ear break free and travel to the nearby canals. When the crystals enter the canals, your brain may receive incorrect signals about your body’s position. This causes a spinning sensation when you move your head or change positions.

Symptoms

  • Sudden vertigo when you move your head
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Abnormal eye movements (nystagmus)
  • Balance problems

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo quiz

Take a quiz to find out what's causing your benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

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Treatment

If you have BPPV, your doctor may recommend exercises that help reposition the crystals. You may also need to work with a physical therapist.

If your symptoms continue, antihistamines or nausea medication may help. If these don’t control your symptoms, your doctor may recommend benzodiazepines such as Valium.

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Jeffrey M. Rothschild, MD, MPH.
Associate Professor of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Dr. Rothschild has been a faculty member at Brigham and Women’s Hospital where he is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He currently practices as a hospitalist at Newton Wellesley Hospital. In 1978, Dr. Rothschild received his MD at the Medical College of Wisconsin and trained in internal medicine followed by a fellowship in critical care medicine. He also received an MP...
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