The key difference between BPPV and Meniere’s is that BPPV is a medical condition that causes peripheral vertigo due to a minor or severe blow to the head, while Meniere’s is a medical condition that causes peripheral vertigo due to an abnormal amount of fluid (endolymph) in the inner ear.
Vertigo is the sensation of motion or spinning that is often described as dizziness. It is of two types as central and peripheral. Central vertigo is due to a problem in the brain, while peripheral vertigo is due to a problem in the inner ear. BPPV and Meniere’s are two medical conditions that cause peripheral vertigo.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is BPPV
3. What is Meniere’s
4. Similarities – BPPV and Meniere’s
5. BPPV vs Meniere’s in Tabular Form
6. Summary – BPPV vs Meniere’s
What is BPPV?
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a medical condition that causes peripheral vertigo due to a minor or severe blow to the head. It is one of the most common causes of peripheral vertigo. BPPV normally causes brief episodes of mild to intense dizziness. It is usually triggered due to specific changes in the head’s position. This may occur when people tip their head up or down, when they lie down, when they turn over or sit up in the bed. Though BBPV can be bothersome, it rarely causes any serious condition except for increasing the chance of falls. BBPV is an idiopathic medical condition. However, it is believed to be caused due to minor or severe blow to the head. The less common causes are disorders affecting the inner ear and damages that occur during surgeries.
Figure 01: BPPV
The symptoms of BBPV include dizziness, a sense of spinning or moving, a loss of balance, nausea, and vomiting. Moreover, BPPV can be diagnosed through physical examination, electronystagmorgraphy (ENG) or videonystagmorgraphy, (VNG), and MRI. Furthermore, medical treatments for this condition include canalith repositioning and surgical alternatives such as plugging surgery.
What is Meniere’s?
Meniere’s is a medical condition that causes peripheral vertigo due to an abnormal amount of fluid (endolymph) in the inner ear. The factors that result in an abnormal amount of fluid contributing to Meniere’s disease include improper fluid drainage, abnormal immune response, viral infection, and genetic predisposition. This medical condition can occur at any age, but it usually starts between young and middle-aged adulthood. The signs and symptoms of Meniere’s disease may include recurring episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, ringing in the ear (tinnitus), and a feeling of fullness of the ear.
This condition can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, hearing assessment (audiometry), balance assessment such as videonystagmorgraphy (VNG), rotary chair testing, vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) testing, posturography, video head impulse test (vHIT), electrocochleography (ECoG), CT scan, and MRI. Furthermore, the treatment option for this condition includes motion sickness medications (diazepam), anti-nausea medication (promethazine), long term medication like diuretics, non-invasive therapies (rehabilitation, hearing aid, positive pressure therapy), middle ear injections (gentamicins, steroids) and surgeries like endolymphatic sac procedure, labyrinthectomy, and vestibular nerve section.
What are the Similarities Between BPPV and Meniere’s?
- BPPV and Meniere’s are two medical conditions that cause peripheral vertigo.
- These conditions affect the inner ear.
- Both conditions cause spinning around or a dizziness sensation.
- They are not severe medical conditions.
- They are treatable through medicines and surgeries.
What is the Difference Between BPPV and Meniere’s?
BPPV is peripheral vertigo caused due to a minor or severe blow to the head, while Meniere’s is peripheral vertigo caused due to an abnormal amount of fluid (endolymph) in the inner ear. Thus, this is the key difference between BPPV and Meniere’s. Furthermore, BPPV does not have a genetic predisposition, while Meniere’s has a genetic predisposition.
The below infographic presents the differences between BPPV and Meniere’s in tabular form for side by side comparison.
Summary – BPPV vs Meniere’s
BPPV and Meniere’s are two medical conditions that cause peripheral vertigo. BPPV is caused due to minor or severe blow to the head while Meniere’s disease is caused due an abnormal amount of fluid (endolymph) in the inner ear. So, this is the difference between BPPV and Meniere’s.
Reference:
1. “Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): Causes & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic.
2. “Meniere’s Disease.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Epley” By C mamais – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Meniere’s disease infograph VEDA” By PINSupport – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia