Have you ever turned your head in bed and suddenly felt like the room was spinning? If your vertigo happens mainly when you roll over, lie down, look up, or get out of bed, it may be caused by BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo).
BPPV can happen when tiny calcium crystals in the inner ear become dislodged and move into the wrong part of the balance system. These are often called “inner ear crystals.”
What Can Help?
One of the most common treatments is the Epley maneuver. This involves a series of head and body movements designed to move the displaced crystals back to their proper location.
A doctor, audiologist, or vestibular physical therapist can determine which ear is affected and show you the correct technique. Doing the maneuver incorrectly may not help, so it’s better to learn it properly before trying it at home.
Tips to Reduce Vertigo
While you’re experiencing dizziness:
- Sit or lie down until the spinning settles.
- Move your head slowly.
- Get out of bed gradually.
- Avoid driving while you’re dizzy.
- Use extra caution on stairs and in the shower.
- Keep your home free of tripping hazards.
Does Medication Remove the Crystals?
Dizziness medications may sometimes help with nausea or severe symptoms, but they do not physically reposition the crystals. For confirmed BPPV, repositioning maneuvers are generally more directly targeted at the cause.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Not all vertigo is caused by inner ear crystals. Seek medical attention if your dizziness is persistent, severe, or accompanied by new hearing loss, severe headache, weakness, numbness, difficulty speaking, double vision, fainting, or trouble walking.
Final Thoughts
BPPV is common and often treatable. If certain head movements repeatedly trigger short episodes of spinning, ask a healthcare professional whether BPPV could be the cause.
Don’t try to diagnose every episode of dizziness as “ear crystals.” Getting the correct diagnosis is the safest first step.