It is an unreal sensation of spinning of our own body or the objects around us, caused by the presence of "grit" (lithiasis) in the semicircular canals of the inner ear. This is the most common type of vertigo.
It manifests itself with a sensation of spinning, loss of balance and nausea. It is characteristically worsened by sudden head movements such as looking upwards or turning in bed.
Diagnosis is clinical by questioning and physical examination; there are manoeuvres on examination that trigger the symptoms. Complementary tests such as caloric stimulation of the ear, an electroencephalogram, CT-scan, MRI and audiometry may complete the study.
The Epley manoeuvre is used, which consists of moving the head in different positions and holding each position for 5 minutes so that the lithiasis precipitates and stops stimulating the inner ear. In the absence of treatment, symptoms usually disappear in days to weeks.
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