Chronic Recurrent Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), Why Does It Keep Repeating?
🧾 Answer First | Key Conclusion
BPPV is not a condition that ends after one treatment.
Especially in the case of chronic recurrent BPPV,
it repeats at intervals of several weeks to months
dizziness starts again in specific positions
and patients often only hear from hospitals that it is due to "stress" or "fatigue."
At Korean medicine clinics,
👉 Patients whose BPPV has recurred 2 or more times
👉 Patients whose symptoms continue to repeat even with medication
visit frequently.
There are clear limitations to Western medicine's medication therapy alone.
BPPV medications
✔ do provide temporary relief of dizziness.
However, they cannot prevent recurrence.
Additionally, with long-term use,
heartburn
indigestion
mental fog, drowsiness
many patients complain of such discomforts.
Ultimately, preventing recurrence is the key,
and to prevent recurrence, we must understand 'why BPPV keeps repeating.'
✅ The Nature of BPPV Recurrence
BPPV is not just an ear problem.
Ultimately, it is a balance problem of the entire body.
If we compare our body to a water filter,
otoliths are the small particles in the water
and the problem is the weakened filter function.
Overwork
chronic stress
sleep deprivation
unrecovered fatigue
when these conditions persist,
the body's ability to regulate balance deteriorates
and otoliths become easily unstable.
✅ Korean Medicine's Perspective on the Causes of Chronic BPPV
1️⃣ Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency (肝腎陰虛)
A state of insufficient recovery energy in the body
Common in those with frequent overwork, stress, and late nights
Often accompanied by dizziness + fatigue + eye strain
👉 Like an automobile with insufficient engine oil
2️⃣ Phlegm and Fluid Retention (痰飮)
A state where metabolic waste is not properly eliminated from the body
Accompanied by heavy head, mental fog, and dizziness
Common in those with weak digestion or reduced physical strength
👉 Like turbid water making it difficult to maintain balance
✅ The Key to BPPV Treatment
BPPV treatment at a Korean medicine clinic
does not end with 'repositioning the otoliths.'
✔ Acupuncture Treatment → Restore qi and blood circulation, recover balance sensation
✔ Moxibustion Treatment → Strengthen the body's deep recovery capacity
✔ Herbal Medicine Treatment → Improve constitution, block recurrence causes
The goal is to create a body condition that does not recur.
✅ Actual Case Examples from Clinic
BPPV recurring 2-3 times per month
→ After treatment, no recurrence for 3-4 months or more
Difficulty commuting due to dizziness every morning
→ After treatment, normal daily life restored
※ Treatment duration may vary depending on individual constitution and condition.
✅ Lifestyle Management Tips to Reduce BPPV Recurrence
✔ Avoid abrupt posture changes
Avoid rapidly turning your head
or suddenly lying down.
✔ Fix sleep rhythm
It is important to sleep and wake at the same time each day.
✔ Manage stress
Even light walking and stretching can reduce recurrence frequency.
✅ Be sure to visit if you experience these symptoms
✔ BPPV has recurred 2 or more times
✔ Dizziness repeats even with medication
✔ Vomiting and headache accompany dizziness
Chronic BPPV now requires a fundamental approachIf BPPV repeats,
it's not just because you are "unlucky."
Your body has already entered a state prone to recurrence,
and you simply need treatment to correct that condition.
So that your daily life is not disrupted by dizziness,
Dongjdae Korean Medicine Clinic will be with you.
✍️ Reviewed by Director Choi Jang-hyuk of Dongjdae Korean Medicine Clinic
