Does the room suddenly seem to spin when you roll over in bed, look up or turn your head? These brief but unsettling episodes are commonly associated with positional vertigo, including benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Understanding what triggers positional vertigo, what other symptoms can occur and when dizziness warrants medical evaluation can help you determine your next step.

Six Facts You Should Know About Positional Vertigo 

Most people have experienced vertigo at least once in their lives. It is usually self-induced vertigo, like when a kid spins around and around and still feels the spinning sensation once he or she stops moving. 

But how do you know if you’re suffering from vertigo as a symptom of an underlying health condition, and specifically positional vertigo? Here are some indicators:  

If it happens upon waking, it’s likely positional vertigo. 

You’re likely suffering from positional vertigo if you experience it the moment you try to get out of bed.  

When this happens, stay relaxed, do not panic, and do not get up from a lying position too quickly. Doing so could only aggravate your condition. Also, such an episode only lasts for a few seconds to a couple of minutes, so you can wait for it until it passes.  

Attacks become more common after the age of 40.

Vertigo attacks occur in 1 out of every 3 adults over the age of 40. As a result, people tend to dismiss this condition as a part of the normal process of aging, which is definitely not the case.  

Just because you hit your 40’s does not mean vertigo attacks have to come along with it. Be sure to remain aware of your health and any health conditions that you might be ignoring.  

You could be suffering from vestibular migraines. 

Positional vertigo is a byproduct of a sudden change in head position. But if your condition also comes with bouts of nausea, neck pain, headaches, you could also be suffering from vestibular migraines.  

Lying down or bending over may trigger an episode. 

Motions like bending over or lying down may trigger a vertigo episode. And between these two motions, bending over is more dangerous. It can easily lead to a bad fall head-first into concrete or any other hard surface on the ground.  

The problem may lie on both ears. 

Vertigo is usually a one-ear problem, but for some people, both ears are affected. And when this is the case, episodes tend to be more severe and frequent. In addition, bilateral vertigo attacks are much longer, making it more debilitating for its sufferers.  

Vertigo diagnoses are much easier to make. 

Vertigo attacks aren’t fun, but the one silver lining with it is that diagnoses are much easier to make. Even if you’ve only had two attacks, doctors can usually diagnose you with positional vertigo and give the necessary advice.  

When consulting an expert, make sure also to ask whether your condition may be linked to a more serious underlying health condition.  

Home Remedies for Positional Vertigo 

Once you’ve ruled out any serious underlying cause for your positional vertigo, you may proceed with some home remedies to alleviate its symptoms.  

• Hydrate properly: Dehydration is one of the little-known causes of vertigo. The sensation of vertigo or dizziness is one way for your body to signal that you’re running low on fluids. 

Before worrying about medication or other forms of relief, be adequately hydrated and notice if your symptoms improve. 

• Canalith repositioning: While it may sound fancy and complicated, canalith repositioning involves natural head movements to reposition the displaced crystals in the inner ear. That displacement is one of the possible causes of vertigo attacks. 

Performing these techniques in your home may save you the time and money you’ll spend on a visit to the doctor’s office. 

• Reducing salt intake: Too much salt in the body causes water retention, which may cause fluid buildup in the ear. That buildup is another trigger for vertigo, but more often for people with Meniere’s disease, which is different from positional vertigo. 

Curb this problem by regulating your salt intake. The less sodium in your body, the less water is retained. 

• Familiarize yourself with the condition: Knowing the nature of your vertigo attacks is a helpful way to decrease their frequency. One way to do this is by keeping a diary to keep track of when these episodes take place.

 Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care for Positional Vertigo 

The top bones of the spine, otherwise known as the atlas and axis, are often at the root of recurring vertigo issues. Because of their location in close proximity to the ears, any misalignment of the vertebrae may have a profound effect on vestibular function.  

Misalignments of the atlas and axis may also affect brainstem function and blood flow to the head. It may contribute to both peripheral and central vertigo.  

Upper cervical chiropractic care is one way to resolve these misalignments and relieve vertigo. By using gentle and precise techniques, we encourage the top two vertebrae of the neck to return to their correct positions. This is precisely what we practice here in our clinic, Upper Cervical of Sioux Falls.  

If you need a reliable SD vertigo chiro clinic, call us at (605) 275-6900 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a complimentary consultation. You can also check out what our patients have had to say about treatment or learn more about other topics related to vertigo and dizziness.

To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Casey Weerheim call our Sioux Falls office at 605-275-6900. You can also click the button below. If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.

 

What triggers positional vertigo?

Positional vertigo is commonly triggered by changes in head position, such as lying down, sitting up, looking upward, bending over or turning your head. In benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), these movements can shift tiny calcium carbonate crystals within the inner ear, producing a sudden sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning. Because vertigo can have several possible causes, recurring episodes should be properly evaluated rather than assumed to be BPPV.

Why do I get dizzy when I roll over in bed?

Feeling as though the room is spinning when you roll over in bed is a common symptom of BPPV. Moving your head into certain positions can cause displaced crystals in the inner ear to stimulate the balance system incorrectly, resulting in a brief episode of vertigo. Other conditions can also cause nighttime or positional dizziness, so persistent symptoms warrant further evaluation.

How long does positional vertigo usually last?

Individual episodes of BPPV-related vertigo are typically brief, often lasting less than a minute after a change in head position. However, the condition itself may continue to cause recurring episodes over days or weeks until it resolves or is appropriately treated. Dizziness that is prolonged, changing or accompanied by other concerning symptoms should be medically evaluated.

Is positional vertigo the same as BPPV?

Not necessarily. BPPV, or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, is one of the most common causes of positional vertigo, but not every episode of dizziness triggered by movement is BPPV. Inner-ear disorders, migraine and other neurological or health conditions can also contribute to dizziness or balance problems. An appropriate evaluation can help determine what’s behind your symptoms.

Can neck problems make you feel dizzy?

Neck pain or dysfunction can sometimes occur alongside dizziness, particularly when symptoms are associated with neck movement or follow an injury such as whiplash. This is sometimes referred to as cervicogenic dizziness. At Upper Cervical of Sioux Falls, Dr. Casey Weerheim evaluates the upper cervical spine when appropriate to determine whether Blair Upper Cervical care may be a useful part of an individual’s care plan. Because dizziness has many possible causes, we don’t assume that every case originates in the neck.

When should I seek medical attention for vertigo?

Vertigo deserves medical evaluation when it is new, persistent, recurring or worsening. Seek immediate medical attention if sudden severe dizziness occurs with symptoms such as difficulty speaking, facial drooping, weakness or numbness, severe headache, fainting, chest pain, difficulty walking or sudden vision or hearing changes. Once serious causes have been ruled out, patients with recurring dizziness or vertigo may also choose to explore whether other factors, including neck dysfunction, could be contributing to their symptoms.