BPPV, or Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, affects one side of the body at a time. This means you'll experience dizziness or vertigo only when you move your head in a specific direction, such as tilting it back, rolling over in bed, or looking up.
The side affected depends on which ear canal the tiny calcium crystals, called otoconia, have become dislodged from. These crystals are normally found in the utricle and saccule, which are parts of the inner ear responsible for balance. When these crystals get loose, they can move into the semicircular canals, which are fluid-filled tubes that detect head movement.
Here's a breakdown:
- Left ear BPPV: Dizziness when turning your head to the left, looking up, or lying on your left side.
- Right ear BPPV: Dizziness when turning your head to the right, looking up, or lying on your right side.
However, it's important to note that BPPV can affect both ears. This means you might experience dizziness on both sides, but usually one side is more affected than the other.
