If your vertigo is caused by displaced inner ear crystals, the condition is often Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). In BPPV, tiny calcium carbonate crystals (otoconia) move into the wrong part of the inner ear, causing brief episodes of dizziness when you change your head position.
What helps
1. Canalith repositioning maneuvers
The most effective treatment is a series of specific head and body movements that guide the crystals back where they belong. The best-known is the Epley maneuver, but the correct maneuver depends on which ear and which inner ear canal is affected. A healthcare professional can diagnose this and perform or teach the appropriate maneuver.
2. Avoid prolonged bed rest
Once it’s safe to do so, gentle movement and returning to normal activities can help recovery.
3. Vestibular rehabilitation
If dizziness persists, a physical therapist trained in vestibular therapy can prescribe exercises to improve balance and reduce symptoms.
What doesn’t work
There is no evidence that:
- Drinking special beverages
- Taking supplements
- Ear candles
- “Dissolving” the crystals with home remedies
can remove or dissolve the crystals.
When to seek urgent medical care
Seek emergency evaluation if dizziness is accompanied by:
- Weakness or numbness on one side
- Difficulty speaking
- Double vision
- Severe, sudden headache
- Loss of consciousness
- Chest pain
These symptoms could indicate a more serious condition, such as a Stroke, rather than BPPV.
When to see a healthcare professional
Make an appointment if:
- Vertigo lasts more than a few weeks.
- Episodes are becoming more frequent or severe.
- You have hearing loss, ringing in the ears, or ear pain.
- You’re unsure whether BPPV is the cause.
Bottom line: If inner ear crystals are causing your vertigo, repositioning maneuvers performed correctly are the most effective treatment. A proper diagnosis is important because not all vertigo is caused by displaced crystals, and treatment depends on the underlying cause.
