The reason “recurrent vertigo may be due to otoliths” is because otoliths can present with symptoms of vertigo, sometimes recurrently.
Also known as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, otoliths are brief paroxysmal episodes of vertigo and nystagmus that occur with rapid head movements to a particular head position.
Normally the otoliths are attached to the otolithic membrane and when some pathogenic factor causes the otoliths to detach, these dislodged otoliths swim in the fluid called endolymph in the inner ear.
When the body’s head position changes, these semicircular canals also change position, and the sedentary otoliths will move with the flow of the fluid, thus stimulating the semicircular canals’ hair cells, resulting in the body to experience intense vertigo, which is usually short in duration, from a few seconds to a few minutes, and can be periodically aggravated or relieved. The duration of the disease varies.
Patients with prolonged and recurring vertigo may have other causes, and should go to the hospital in a timely manner, under the guidance of the doctor to do audiological tests and nystagmus electrograms, etc., to clarify the cause of the disease, and take active treatment for the cause.