When you roll over in bed and the room spins, or you stand up too fast and feel like you’re falling—BPPV, a common inner ear disorder that triggers brief but intense episodes of dizziness. Also known as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, it’s not a disease, but a mechanical glitch in your balance system. It happens when tiny calcium crystals, called otoliths, small particles normally stuck in the utricle of your inner ear, break loose and drift into the wrong part of your ear canal. These crystals don’t cause pain, but they send false signals to your brain about movement, making you feel like you’re spinning even when you’re still.
That spinning feeling? It’s not anxiety. It’s not a migraine. It’s canalith repositioning, a series of head movements designed to move those loose crystals back to where they belong. The Epley maneuver is the most common fix—done in a doctor’s office or even at home with the right guidance. Studies show it works in over 90% of cases within one or two sessions. You don’t need surgery. You don’t need pills. You just need the right motion. And yet, many people suffer for months because they think it’s just "getting older" or "stress." It’s not. It’s fixable.
BPPV often shows up after head injuries, ear infections, or even just aging. It’s more common in people over 60, but it hits younger folks too—especially after concussions or prolonged bed rest. You might notice it when you look up at a shelf, bend down to tie your shoes, or turn your head in the car. The dizziness lasts seconds, not hours, but it’s terrifying the first time. And because it’s so brief, many doctors miss it unless you describe the exact trigger. That’s why knowing the name matters. If you’ve had three or more episodes of spinning tied to head movement, you likely have BPPV.
What you won’t find in most guides is how often BPPV comes back. About 1 in 3 people have a recurrence within a year. That’s why learning the Epley maneuver yourself is one of the smartest things you can do. You can watch a video, practice it in the mirror, and do it the moment you feel it coming. No prescription. No appointment. Just your body and a few careful movements.
There’s also a connection between BPPV and other conditions. People with vitamin D deficiency, osteoporosis, a condition where bones become fragile and brittle, or even inner ear inflammation, swelling or infection in the vestibular system are more likely to develop it. That’s why treating the root cause matters—not just the spinning.
Below, you’ll find real-world guides on how to spot BPPV, how to treat it without drugs, and how to prevent it from coming back. You’ll also see how it connects to other health issues—like medication side effects, aging, and even how your body responds to changes in oxygen levels. No fluff. No theory. Just what works for people who’ve been there.
Vertigo and dizziness aren't the same. Vertigo means spinning-often from inner ear or brain issues. Dizziness is lightheadedness, often from blood pressure, anemia, or stress. Knowing the difference means getting the right treatment-and avoiding dangerous delays.
