Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Explaining the non-life-threatening nature of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and its favorable prognosis helps reassure patients that BPPV is not a serious condition. Symptoms include a short spinning or falling sensation when they sit up to get out of bed, roll over or lie back in bed, or bend forward to pick up something on the ground. Mostly, these symptoms will go away within a few weeks without any treatment. Patients who have secondary BPPV (e.g., secondary to vestibular neuronitis) should be encouraged to return to normal physical activity to facilitate central nervous system compensation.[43]Wackym PA, Balaban CD, Schumacher TS. Vestibular disorders and rehabilitation. In: Bailey BJ, et al., eds. Head and neck surgery - otolaryngology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott-Raven; 2001:1993-2010.