You lie down, roll over in bed or sit up, and suddenly the room starts to spin. It only lasts a short time, but it can be frightening. One of the most common causes of this kind of dizziness is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV. At Hear SF on Geary Boulevard in San Francisco, owner and hearing aid dispenser Michael Martinez, NB-HIS, and our team want you to know the signs and where to get the right care.
What Is BPPV?
Your inner ear contains tiny calcium crystals that help you sense movement. In BPPV, some of these crystals move out of place and into one of the ear’s balance canals. When you change head position, they shift and send the wrong signal to your brain, which creates a spinning sensation.
Common Signs of BPPV
- Short bursts of spinning, usually lasting less than a minute
- Dizziness triggered by lying down, rolling over, looking up or bending down
- Nausea during an episode
- Feeling unsteady for a while afterward
What Can Cause It?
Often there is no clear cause. BPPV becomes more common with age, and it can also follow a head injury, an inner ear infection or long periods of lying in one position.
How BPPV Is Treated
A doctor, ENT specialist or vestibular physical therapist can confirm BPPV with simple position tests. The most common treatment is a series of guided head movements, called repositioning maneuvers, that move the crystals back where they belong. Many people feel better after one or a few sessions. BPPV can come back, so it helps to know the signs.
When to Get Help Right Away
Seek emergency care if dizziness comes with a severe headache, trouble speaking, weakness, numbness, vision changes or difficulty walking. These can be signs of a more serious problem.
How Hear SF Can Help
BPPV itself doesn’t usually affect hearing. If your dizziness comes with hearing loss, ringing or ear fullness, let your doctor know and consider a hearing test. Call or text Hear SF at 415-319-7301 to schedule one.