Insights into Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo in the Elderly

Abstract

Vertigo, the illusion of movement of oneself or one’s surroundings in the absence of actual movement, is a common symptom in older adults and, as such, is commonly regarded as an age-related normal or part of the aging process itself, as its incidence increases with age. In neurology and otorhinolaryngology, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of vertigo. BPPV is a brief, recurrent episode of vertigo caused by changes in head position relative to the direction of gravity. The symptoms of peripheral vestibular disease are vertigo and characteristic nystagmus. The prevalence of undiagnosed BPPV is high due to the fact that many elderlies tolerate vertigo symptoms. According to etiology, it can be subdivided into idiopathic BPPV and secondary BPPV, and according to location, it can be subdivided into posterior semicircular canal BPPV, horizontal semicircular canal BPPV, and anterior semicircular canal BPPV.