Stayed Home Because of Cold, Felt 'Eojileojil'... This Disease Has Increased Significantly

Probability of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Increases in Winter

As winter approaches, the number of patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is significantly increasing. BPPV is a dizziness disorder caused by the abnormal movement of otoliths in the vestibular system, which is the balance organ located in the inner ear. It is characterized by sudden severe rotational vertigo, and it occurs more frequently in winter due to blood vessel constriction caused by temperature differences and weakened immunity.

The number of dizziness patients in South Korea exceeds one million annually. According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, 1,015,119 people visited hospitals for dizziness in 2023. This is an 11.8% increase from 907,665 patients in 2018, five years earlier.

Dizziness. (This photo is not directly related to the article) Pixabay

The main symptom of BPPV is severe dizziness that suddenly occurs depending on certain postures or movements. It is especially severe when getting up in the morning, rising from a lying position, or turning the head. Patients often describe the sensation as "the surroundings are spinning" or "it feels like being on a boat."

Experts attribute the increase in BPPV cases during winter to rapid temperature changes and differences between indoor and outdoor temperatures. Sudden temperature changes cause blood vessels to constrict, which can disrupt blood circulation in the inner ear. The likelihood of otoliths dislodging from their normal position increases particularly during winter when immunity is lowered.

According to a neurology research team at Bundang Seoul National University Hospital published in the journal Neurology, replenishing insufficient blood vitamin D levels reduces the recurrence rate of BPPV.

The research team instructed 348 out of 1,050 BPPV patients, whose blood vitamin D levels were below 20 ng/mL, to take 400 IU of vitamin D and 500 mg of calcium twice daily for one year. As a result, the group that took vitamin D showed about a 27% decrease in BPPV recurrence compared to the group that did not take it.

The main causes of BPPV include aging, trauma, chronic fatigue, stress, and weakened immunity. It is especially common among modern people who experience overwork, lack of sleep, and irregular lifestyles. Low blood pressure or anemia can also cause dizziness. When blood pressure is low or iron is deficient, sufficient oxygen is not supplied to the brain, which can lead to dizziness. Excessive stress and fatigue also make the nervous system sensitive, triggering dizziness.

Experts emphasize that accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial if BPPV is suspected. BPPV is a condition that can mostly improve with proper treatment. However, if left untreated, it can become chronic or lead to other complications, making early diagnosis and treatment very important.

How to Prevent BPPV

Preventive measures include maintaining a regular lifestyle, getting enough sleep, and managing stress.
Additionally, avoiding sudden temperature changes and keeping the neck warm can be helpful.
Especially in winter, minimizing the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors and maintaining smooth blood circulation by drinking enough fluids are recommended.