Symptoms of positional vertigo mimic the feeling of motion sickness. That sickening, swirling, nauseating feeling really is a form of motion sickness, because vertigo makes you feel like you're spinning. While you may feel the effects in your stomach, the problem is all in your head -- or at least, your ear. A series of exercises called canalith repositioning can help steady the room.
Purpose
Your middle ear contains a number of tiny crystals that keep track of your movement and position in space, then transmit that information to your brain so you can stay upright. Occasionally these crystals can come loose, especially after a blow to the head, and find their way into the tiny canals that monitor the position of your head. As a result, you begin to feel movement that isn't there. Canalith repositioning exercises aim to roll the crystals out of the tiny canals and back where they belong, to help you respond to motion normally again.
Procedure
Canalith repositioning exercises are generally guided by your doctor, who can monitor your symptoms throughout the process to gauge their effectiveness. You'll begin by sitting upright, then you'll turn your head about halfway to the side that's bothering you and lie down. You'll remain in this position for 30 seconds after symptoms subside, or about five minutes. Then you'll turn your head halfway to the other side and wait for the symptoms to subside again. Next you'll roll your body until you are laying on the side opposite the problem ear, with your nose pointing down, and wait for the dizziness to stop. Finally, you'll sit back up for 30 seconds, then repeat the entire procedure twice more.
Effectiveness
Canalith repositioning is a simple, effective, non-invasive treatment for positional vertigo, and your doctor will likely teach you the process so you can perform it yourself at home as part of your self-care. A 2007 study in the "Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngoly" found that vertigo symptoms were eliminated in participants after one to three treatments of canalith repositioning exercises. In cases where the symptoms reoccurred, special exercises were devised to focus on the particular canal that was affected. If your vertigo reoccurs despite treatment, your doctor may take a similar tactic.
Alternatives
Although canalith repositioning is the most effective treatment for positional vertigo, some doctors may prescribe antihistamines and sedatives to help relieve symptoms. These medications do not treat the root cause of the vertigo, but they may make you more comfortable. Many cases of vertigo improve over time, but they can reoccur at any time.
References
- "Disabled World"; Epley's Maneuver Video for Vertigo; July 2007
- "Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngoly"; Epley's Maneuver in Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Associated with Meniere's Disease; Gananca CF, et. al.; July-August 2007
- MedlinePlus; Benign Positional Vertigo; Aug. 3, 2010
- MayoClinic.com; Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) - Causes; May 15, 2010
