Common Symptoms of BPPV
You may experience:
- A sudden spinning sensation when rolling over in bed
- Vertigo when lying down or sitting back up
- Dizziness when looking upward
- Symptoms when bending forward
- Brief spinning when turning your head
- Nausea associated with position changes
- Unsteadiness or lingering dizziness between episodes
Symptoms often last less than a minute, although you may continue to feel “off” afterward.
What Causes BPPV?
Your inner ear contains tiny calcium carbonate crystals that normally help detect movement and gravity.
With BPPV, some of these crystals become displaced and enter one of the semicircular canals. When your head moves into certain positions, the crystals stimulate the balance system incorrectly and create the sensation that you or the room is moving.
The exact treatment depends on which ear, which canal and what type of BPPV is present.
How We Evaluate Vertigo
Not all positional dizziness is BPPV.
Your evaluation may include:
- Detailed review of your symptoms and triggers
- Eye-movement assessment
- Positional testing
- Infrared-goggle testing when appropriate
- Balance and walking assessment
- Screening for other vestibular or neurologic causes of dizziness
This is particularly important when BPPV has been difficult to treat, keeps returning or does not behave like typical positional vertigo.
Treatment for BPPV
When BPPV is identified, treatment usually involves a specific canalith repositioning maneuver designed for the affected canal.
The commonly known Epley maneuver is only one option. Different forms of BPPV require different techniques.
Our goal is not simply to perform a maneuver—we want to determine why you are dizzy and choose the treatment that matches what we find.
You Don't Have to Live With Vertigo
If you're avoiding rolling over, sleeping in a certain position or moving your head because you're afraid of becoming dizzy, it may be time for a vestibular evaluation.
