Benign positional vertigo

Alternative names:

vertigo - positional

Definition:

A disorder involving an abnormal sensation of movement that occurs with certain head positions.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Benign positional vertigo occurs when there is an abrupt sensation that you are moving or the room around you is moving. This sensation is triggered by head positions such as lying on one side or tipping the head back. Positional vertigo is triggered by the actual position of the head, while in other disorders involving vertigo, the vertigo is triggered by movement of the head.

Vertigo of any type occurs when there is a problem in the vestibular labyrinth (semicircular canals), the portion of the inner ear that controls balance.