How is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo treated?

BPPV causes brief spinning sensations when you turn, lie down, sit up, or look upward. Small calcium particles in the inner ear can move into a balance canal and send inaccurate movement signals. A clinician may reproduce the dizziness with a positional examination, while checking that another cause is not more likely.

The Epley manoeuvre uses a sequence of carefully timed head and body positions to move those particles out of the canal. You may feel spinning briefly during the manoeuvre. Some people improve after one session; others need reassessment or another manoeuvre.

Arrange a GP Consultation if repeated position-triggered vertigo is affecting walking, work, sleep, or confidence. Until you are assessed, move slowly when rising, use support on stairs, and avoid driving or climbing if an attack could make you unsafe. Do not perform a home manoeuvre unless a clinician has shown you the correct method and confirmed it is suitable for you.

Seek urgent medical help for vertigo with weakness, facial drooping, trouble speaking, fainting, a new severe headache, chest pain, or difficulty walking that does not settle. Prompt assessment is also needed for new hearing loss, severe persistent vomiting, or dizziness that is not linked to head movement.

Ask which ear and canal appear to be involved, whether an Epley Manoeuvre is appropriate, what movements to avoid briefly after treatment, and when you should return if spinning continues. Mention falls, neck or back problems, recent injury, hearing changes, and every medicine you take.