What causes BPPV?

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is primarily caused by the displacement of small calcium carbonate crystals, known as otoconia, from the utricle into one of the semicircular canals of the inner ear. This displacement disrupts the normal fluid movement within the canals that helps to maintain balance, leading to episodes of vertigo triggered by changes in head position.

When a person with BPPV turns their head or changes their position, the displaced otoconia cause abnormal stimulation of the hair cells in the semicircular canals. This results in a false sense of spinning or movement, which is experienced as vertigo. The episodes are often brief but can be quite intense and are characteristically brought on by certain head movements, such as rolling over in bed or looking up.

Other conditions like vestibular neuritis, Meniere's disease, and vestibular migraine, though they affect the vestibular system, have different mechanisms and causes. Vestibular neuritis usually results from a viral infection, Meniere's disease is associated with fluid accumulation in the inner ear, and vestibular migraine combines symptoms of migraine with vestibular symptoms rather than the mechanical dislodgement of otoconia characteristic of BPPV. Thus