How To Treat BPPV, The Most Common Cause Of Vertigo

If you’re someone who experiences vertigo, you know how unpleasant the dizziness and spinning-like sensations can be. Nothing is more nauseating than feeling like your world is off balance even when you’re standing still, and it can interfere with your daily activities if you experience vertigo often.

But just because you have vertigo doesn’t mean you’re doomed to feel sick forever. There are a number of home remedies that can help combat the most common cause of vertigo.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, also known as BPPV, occurs when small crystals of calcium become loose in your ear, according to WebMD. Symptoms are exacerbated by changing the position of your head, such as tilting it to the side or moving around in bed.

These crystals make us feel sensitive to gravity, and when they become loose, they send a false signal to the brain that causes that pesky sense of feeling off-balance.

Although some vertigo is mild, it can cause a range of symptoms, including dizziness, a feeling that everything is moving or spinning, loss of balance, nausea, and even in some cases vomiting. Although symptoms should subside naturally over time, you can take some steps to help eliminate your vertigo from BPPV.

The most common — and successful — treatment of vertigo from BPPV is the Epley Maneuver. This particular movement puts your head in the best position to help the calcium crystals move to a less sensitive spot in your ear.

If your vertigo does indeed come from BPPV, the Epley Maneuver is highly successful at treating vertigo. It’s best to see your doctor or healthcare provider who can help you position your head in the proper manner, but you can also try to attempt the Epley Maneuver on your own.

Here are the steps:

1. Begin in a seated upright position, and turn your head 45 degrees to the side where your vertigo comes from (this can be determined using a Dix-Hallpike Test).
2. Keep your head rotated and lie down, face-up. Place a pillow under your shoulders for support. Stay in this position for about a minute.
3. Turn your head 90 degrees in the opposite direction, so the opposite ear faces the floor. Wait for another minute.
4. Keeping the head and neck in a fixed position, continue rotating another 90 degrees in the same direction so you’re now facing downwards. Remain for one additional minute.
5. Slowly sit up. Remain on the bed for a few more minutes. Repeat these movements two or three times per night before bed.

The Epley Maneuver can be a helpful at-home remedy for those who suffer from vertigo, but make sure you consult with your doctor to determine if your symptoms are a result of BPPV and to find the best positions that work for you.