Definitions for "Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo"
A balance disorder caused by particles trapped in the semicircular canals which form part of the balance organs. These particles are usually crystals that have become detached from other parts of the inner ear. As the name indicates, the vertigo, which can be intense, comes on suddenly following certain movements of the head and comes and goes as clusters of attacks, and may have been present for many years.
Benign means not life threatening, paroxysmal means a brief burst, positional indicates the problem occurs with a certain body movement to a given position, and vertigo means a spinning sensation. BPPV is thought to be caused by loose particles or degenerative debris in the balance portion of the inner ear, which have migrated (moved) to an area in which they are not normally found. Certain body movements cause these particles to move, causing a perception of spinning dizziness.
balance disorder that results in a sudden onset of dizziness, spinning, or vertigo that occurs when suddenly moving the head from one position to another.