Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a peripheral vestibular disorder affecting the posterior semicircular canal. It is most often idiopathic in nature, though it has been known to occur in patients following head injury, Meniere's disease, acoustic neuroma and viral neuronitis. Two basic theories of the pathology of BPPV include cupulolithiasis and canalithiasis. Diagnosis is made by instituting the Hallpike-Dix maneuver to elicit the positional vertigo and nystagmus. While many patients suffer from BPPV on a limited basis, treatment options are available for those individuals with recurrent episodes and permanent BPPV, including surgery and conservative medical exercises and maneuvers. Nursing care is aimed toward teaching the exercises and maneuvers and assisting the patient to adjust the individual lifestyle movements that may precipitate an attack.