What can you do if you have BPPV?

To do a repositioning maneuver, the doctor shows you how to get into various sitting and lying positions while holding your head at certain angles.

In BPPV, the vertigo is caused by loose calcium deposits (crystals or “ear rocks”) in the organ of balance (vestibular system) inside our ear. The aim of following a certain order of head and body movements is to move the loose crystals to a position where they no longer cause dizzy spells.

The vestibular system has three semicircular canals in it. If there are crystals in the posterior semicircular canal, the Epley maneuver and the Semont maneuver are two very simple and effective treatment options. The sequence of movements is usually repeated several times with the help of a doctor. There are also slightly different versions that you can do on your own at home.

This treatment doesn't have many side effects. But the movements can lead to nausea or vomiting, similar to during an episode of vertigo. Repositioning maneuvers aren’t suitable for some people – for instance, those who can’t move the neck region of their spine freely.

The Epley maneuver is done in the following way (the person in this example has loose crystals in their left ear):

1. Sit upright.
2. Tilt your head back slightly and move it about 45° to the left.
3. Lie on your back, keeping your head turned to the left. Wait for about 30 seconds.
4. Now turn your head to the right by 90°, keeping it tilted back slightly. Wait for about 30 seconds.
5. Now turn your whole body to the right. Your head moves with your body until you are almost facing the floor. Wait for about 30 seconds.
6. Sit upright again.

After having this treatment, you can move or lie down normally again.

In most cases the symptoms are caused by loose crystals in the posterior semicircular canal. The crystals only rarely develop in the other two semicircular canals of the vestibular system. If they do, other repositioning maneuvers can be done that are a little different to the Epley and Semont maneuvers. One example is the Gufoni maneuver.

If the Epley or Semont maneuvers don't help, aren't possible or the patient doesn’t want to do them, certain exercises can be done. Your doctor can show you how to do them in his or her practice, and then you can do them at home on your own.

Other treatments, such as anti-nausea medication, are rarely needed for BPPV. If the vertigo is severe, you can take anti-vertigo medication for a short time to suppress it. But you can’t take that over the long term.

If very severe symptoms don’t go away, surgery on the vestibular system (the organ of balance) may be considered. This involves destroying either the nerve fibers in the affected semicircular canal, or the semicircular canal itself. The sensory hair cells can then no longer pass information on to the brain. As a result, the loose crystals don't cause dizziness any more, but the organ of balance in that ear is permanently affected by the surgery.