Patients with otolithiasis, or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, may experience vertigo during the onset of the disease, which may lead to falls due to loss of balance. If the disease is prolonged and recovery is poor for a long period of time, it may lead to loss of ability to live and work.
It is a peripheral vestibular disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of transient vertigo and characteristic nystagmus induced by changes in head position. Typical symptoms are sudden episodes of transient vertigo, which may be accompanied by nystagmus, when the head position changes. The vertigo is mostly rotational or a floating sensation, and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and other discomforts. The discomfort may disappear after keeping the head position unchanged.
When the condition flares up, it can often lead to balance dysfunction and falls, which can easily lead to fall injuries. Although the disease has a certain degree of self-healing, some cases still have dizziness and discomfort after repositioning treatment, or the fear of vertigo leads to anxiety, which can affect normal life. In severe cases, the disease can last for months or years, resulting in loss of ability to work and live.
Once the diagnosis of otolithosis is confirmed, it is necessary to actively seek medical treatment, systematic and standardized diagnosis and treatment, so as to avoid prolongation of the disease.