Benign positional vertigo

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Vertigo - positional

The most effective treatment is a procedure called "Epley's maneuver," which can move the small piece of bone-like calcium that is floating inside your inner ear. Other exercises that can readjust your response to head movements are less effective.

Occasionally, medications may be prescribed to relieve the spinning sensations. Such drugs may include:

• Antihistamines
• Anticholinergics
• Sedative-hypnotics

However, such medicines often do not work very well for treating vertigo.

Benign positional vertigo is uncomfortable, but usually improves with time. This condition may occur again without warning.

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Patients with severe vertigo may get dehydrated due to frequent vomiting.

Call your health care provider if vertigo develops that has not been evaluated or if treatment is ineffective. Also call if you develop any associated symptoms (such as weakness, slurred speech, visual problems) that may indicate a more serious condition.

Review Date: 08/03/2010
Reviewed By: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and Seth Schwartz, MD, MPH, Otolaryngologist, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).