Vertigo is often described as a sensation of the room twirling. While many things can cause vertigo, including some very serious brain and central nervous system disorders, in the majority of cases it's due to something called benign positional vertigo, which is often very treatable with simple exercises that you can do at home. If these exercises fail, medications can sometimes help to control symptoms for a short while.
About Vertigo
Vertigo is the term doctors use to describe a feeling of the room twirling around you. It's most often caused by a problem in the system of bones, nerves, and other structures leading from your external ear to your brain; infections and calcium-rich debris are often implicated as two common causes. The most common type of vertigo -- benign positional vertigo -- classically occurs while rolling over in bed, according to Lawrence Lustig and Joshua Schindler in "Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment." The feeling of movement lasts for seconds to minutes, and may recur several times over a multi-day period.
Epley Maneuver
The Epley maneuver is the first line of treatment for benign positional vertigo. It involves sequential positioning of the head in positions designed to dislodge particles that may be caught in awkward places in your ear, leading to vertigo. To perform the Epley maneuver, sit on the on your bed and turn your head 45 degrees in the direction that causes vertigo. Then, lie backwards so that your head hangs off the bed. Next, turn your head so that you are looking 45 degrees to the opposite side. Then, turn your head even more, so that it is parallel to the floor. Finally, sit up. Hold each position for 30 seconds. If the vertigo disappears after this series of steps, the maneuver worked.
Brandt and Daroff Exercise
If the Epley maneuver fails to treat your symptoms, the Brandt and Daroff exercises are another option. To perform these, sit on your bed, looking straight ahead. Then, lie down on your side with your head angled upward at about 45 degrees. Return to sitting. Next, lie down on the opposite side with your head angled upward at about 45 degrees. Return to sitting again. Hold each position for about 30 seconds. You should do at least three sets of five repetitions of these maneuvers each day for at least two weeks.
Other Options
If the above maneuvers fail to treat your vertigo, you should speak to your doctor; it's possible that you have something more serious going on, and further workup may be required. If you do have vertigo, and it gets particularly bad, certain drugs -- for example, meclizine -- can help with symptoms in the short term. In very rare cases, surgery may be an option for people who fail to improve and suffer significantly from their vertigo symptoms.
References
- "Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment"; Stephen J. McPhee and Maxine A. Papadakis (editors); 2009
- Merck Manual: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
- Crofton and Sharlston Medical Practice: Brandt-Daroff Maneuvers
