Vestibular paroxysmia

Rare

Vestibular paroxysmia is a condition in which short, repeated attacks of dizziness can occur. The attacks usually last seconds to minutes and can occur several times a day.

Key points

Vestibular paroxysmia is a condition in which the vestibular nerve becomes irritated.
The irritation is often caused by contact with a small blood vessel.
Attacks usually last seconds to minutes and can occur several times a day.
During an attack, a feeling of spinning or movement may occur.
Physical therapy does not treat the cause but can help identify the symptom pattern.

Symptoms

Short, sudden attacks of dizziness.
Repeated attacks throughout the day.
Instability during an attack.
Sometimes a sensation of movement or spinning.

Causes

Vestibular paroxysmia is caused by irritation of the vestibular nerve, often due to a blood vessel pressing against the nerve.
This causes brief disturbances in the nerve signals to the brain.

Treatments

Physical therapy usually does not focus on the cause of vestibular paroxysmia itself.
A physical therapist can help identify the symptom pattern and distinguish it from other causes of dizziness.

In brief

What is vestibular paroxysmia?

Vestibular paroxysmia is a condition in which the vestibular nerve becomes irritated, often by contact with a small blood vessel. This can cause brief disturbances in the signals from the balance system to the brain.