How effective is GP consultation for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo?

BPPV commonly causes short bursts of spinning when you roll in bed, look up, bend down, or turn your head. The GP will ask about triggers, duration, hearing symptoms, headache, nausea, falls, and previous episodes. They may assess eye movements, balance, walking, and selected neurological signs.

If the pattern fits BPPV, the GP may perform or arrange a positional test and recommend a canalith repositioning manoeuvre. The consultation is also useful when dizziness is new, persistent, or atypical because another inner-ear or neurological problem may need consideration.

Note which head movements trigger symptoms and whether the room spins or you feel faint. Tell the GP about hearing loss, ringing in the ears, migraine, falls, and all medicines. Move slowly while symptoms are active and use support on stairs or near wet floors.

Only perform a home repositioning exercise after a clinician has explained that it is suitable and shown the correct sequence. Arrange review if episodes continue, the exercise causes neck pain, or balance remains unsafe.

Seek emergency help for dizziness with new weakness, facial drooping, speech trouble, double vision, severe headache, fainting, chest pain, or inability to walk. Urgent assessment is also needed after a serious fall or when sudden hearing loss occurs.

Ask whether your symptoms fit BPPV, whether a positional test is needed, which manoeuvre is appropriate, and how to reduce fall risk while dizzy. Ask when persistent symptoms should lead to referral.