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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staff
Inside your ear is a tiny organ called the vestibular labyrinth. It includes loop-shaped structures (semicircular canals) that contain fluid and fine, hair-like sensors that monitor the rotation of your head. Other structures (otolith organs) in your ear monitor movements of your head and your head's position. These otolith organs contain crystals that make you sensitive to movement. For a variety of reasons, these crystals can become dislodged. When they become dislodged, they can move into one of the semicircular canals — especially while you're lying down. This causes the semicircular canal to become sensitive to head position changes it would normally not respond to. As a result, you feel dizzy.
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo occurs most often in people age 60 and older. It can also occur after a minor to severe blow to your head. Less common causes of BPPV include disorders that damage your inner ear or, rarely, damage that occurs during ear surgery or during prolonged positioning on your back (supine).
Doctors can sometimes determine the cause of BPPV. It may require a consultation with an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist or a doctor who specializes in the brain and nervous system (neurologist). However, it is almost as common that no specific cause for BPPV can be determined.
