Get Positional Vertigo Symptoms

A technique called canalith repositioning (or Epley maneuver) usually helps resolve benign paroxysmal positional vertigo more quickly than simply waiting for your dizziness to go away. It can be done by your doctor, an audiologist or a physical therapist and involves maneuvering the position of your head.

Diagnosing BPPV involves taking a detailed history of a person's health. The doctor confirms the diagnosis by observing nystagmus — jerking of the person's eyes that accompanies the vertigo caused by changing head position. This is accomplished through a diagnostic test called the Dix-Hallpike maneuver.

In about half of all people who have BPPV, the symptoms go away after only 1 to 3 months. So treatment isn't always needed. If the dizzy spells don't go away on their own or are very difficult for the person to cope with, repositioning maneuvers can help.

In many people, especially older adults, there is no specific event that causes BPPV to occur, but there are some things that may bring on an attack: Mild to severe head trauma. Keeping the head in the same position for a long time, such as in the dentist chair, at the beauty salon or during strict bed rest.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV): The most common cause of vertigo, BPPV is typically triggered by changed in your head's position. People with BPPV often experience vertigo when lying down, sitting up or turning over in bed.

Benign positional vertigo is also called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). It is caused by a problem in the inner ear. The inner ear has fluid-filled tubes called semicircular canals. When you move, the fluid moves inside these tubes.

Like vestibular neuronitis, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) often clears up without treatment after several weeks or months.