The most common causes are: BPPV (crystals loose in your inner ear — brief spins triggered by head position), vestibular neuritis (viral infection — constant spinning for days), Ménière's disease (fluid pressure — episodes with hearing changes), and vestibular migraine (migraine without headache sometimes). A doctor can usually tell which one pretty quickly.

When should I go to the ER?

Go NOW if you have: worst headache of your life, face/arm/leg weakness, slurred speech, double vision, trouble walking (can't walk at all, not just unsteady), or this is your first severe episode after age 50. Otherwise, urgent care or your doctor is usually fine.

Will this happen again?

It depends on the cause. BPPV recurs in about 50% of people over 5 years but is easily re-treated. Vestibular neuritis is usually a one-time event. Ménière's and vestibular migraine are chronic but manageable. Knowing your diagnosis helps you know what to expect.

Why do I feel drunk/off-balance even when I'm not spinning?

After acute vertigo, many people feel 'off' for days or weeks — like walking on a boat or being slightly drunk. This is your brain recalibrating. It's normal and improves with time and movement. Lying in bed actually makes it last longer.

Will anti-dizziness medicine help?

Short-term: yes, it can help with acute severe symptoms. Long-term: no, it actually slows recovery. Your brain needs to recalibrate to the new signals from your inner ear, and anti-dizziness meds prevent that. Most doctors recommend stopping them after 2-3 days.

Can exercises really help vertigo?

Absolutely. For BPPV, positioning exercises (like the Epley maneuver) fix 80%+ of people in one session. For other causes, vestibular rehabilitation exercises help your brain compensate and significantly reduce symptoms. This isn't vague 'exercise more' advice — these are specific, proven techniques.

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Vertigo

Everything you need to know about vertigo — why the world is spinning, what's causing it, and what actually helps. Written for the person at 2am trying to understand what's happening.

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Free • 1 minute • Works for 85% of people

bppv vertigo treatment vertigo exercises vertigo symptoms vertigo causes dizziness spinning peripheral vertigo central vertigo benign paroxysmal positional vertigo vestibular dysfunction nystagmus room spinning positional vertigo inner ear vertigo balance disorder

Quick Facts

Prevalence

15-20% of adults yearly

Most common vestibular complaint
80% report activity interruption
Significant impact on daily function and employment

85% of people improve with exercises

You've got this.

In 2 minutes, you'll know if these exercises can help. No experience needed.

Try a 2-min exercise

Feeling awful right now?

Vertigo is almost always from your inner ear, not your brain. It's terrifying but rarely dangerous. Most causes are very treatable.

What to do right now:

1Sit or lie down immediately — don't try to walk through it
2Keep your eyes open and fixed on something still
3Breathe slowly — you're not dying, even though it feels awful
4Keep a bowl nearby if you're nauseous
5Don't make sudden head movements
6This will pass — vertigo episodes don't last forever

This usually peaks within Most acute vertigo calms within minutes to hours (BPPV: seconds to minutes; vestibular neuritis: hours to days), then steadily improves.

Quick Summary

Vertigo is a symptom, not a diagnosis — something else is causing it
90%+ of vertigo comes from your inner ear, not your brain
The most common cause (BPPV) is fixed in one office visit for most people
Even when the cause isn't curable, the symptoms are very treatable

Most vertigo has a specific, treatable cause. Finding out what's causing yours is the first step to fixing it.

Common Questions

Questions we hear from people just like you

Almost certainly not. Vertigo from stroke is rare and almost always comes with other symptoms: face drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech, severe headache, or trouble walking. Isolated spinning without these symptoms is almost always your inner ear. But if you have ANY of those other symptoms — especially sudden onset — get emergency help immediately.

Ready when you are

When you're feeling a bit steadier, specific exercises can help your brain adapt and reduce your symptoms. We'll guide you through them step by step — no experience needed.

Start exercises

Vertigo affects approximately 15-20% of adults yearly, being 2-3 times more common in women than men. It significantly impacts daily life, with 80% of people reporting interruption in daily activities and employment.

Understanding Vertigo

Primary Symptoms

•Sensation of spinning or rotation
•Loss of balance
•Nausea and vomiting
•Visual disturbances
•Difficulty focusing eyes

Associated Symptoms

•Hearing changes or loss
•Ringing in ears (tinnitus)
•Headache
•Sweating
•Nystagmus (abnormal eye movements)

Types of Vertigo

Peripheral Vertigo

Originates from inner ear problems or vestibular system dysfunction.

•BPPV (most common cause)
•Meniere's Disease
•Vestibular neuritis
•Labyrinthitis

Central Vertigo

Results from problems in brain areas controlling balance.

•Vestibular migraine
•Stroke
•Multiple sclerosis
•Brain tumors

Common Triggers

Positional Changes

Movements that trigger vertigo episodes

•Rolling over in bed
•Looking up or down
•Bending over
•Quick head movements

Environmental

External factors that can worsen symptoms

•Moving visual environments
•Heights
•Busy patterns
•Screen movement

Health-Related

Medical conditions that may trigger vertigo

•Infections
•Medication side effects
•Blood pressure changes
•Dehydration

Warning Signs

Seek Immediate Medical Care If You Experience:

⚠Sudden severe vertigo with new neurological symptoms
⚠Vertigo with severe headache or neck pain
⚠Loss of consciousness
⚠Sudden hearing loss
⚠Double vision or other visual changes
⚠Difficulty speaking or swallowing
⚠Weakness in arms or legs
⚠First episode of severe vertigo after age 50

Treatment Approaches

Repositioning Maneuvers

50-90% success rate for BPPV

•Epley maneuver
•Semont maneuver
•Home exercises
•Professional guidance for proper technique

Vestibular Training

70-80% improvement in symptoms

•Gaze stabilization exercises
•Balance training
•Habituation exercises
•Customized exercise programs

Medical Management

Varies by underlying cause

•Anti-vertigo medications
•Treatment of underlying conditions
•Management of risk factors
•Regular monitoring

Recovery Timeline

Acute Phase (0-24 hours)

Initial management and symptom control

•Symptom management
•Medical evaluation
•Safety measures

Early Recovery (1-2 weeks)

Beginning specific treatments

•Starting exercises
•Medication adjustments
•Activity modifications

Training (2-8 weeks)

Active treatment phase

•Regular exercise program
•Improved stability
•Return to activities

Maintenance

Long-term management

•Prevention strategies
•Monitoring for recurrence
•Continued exercises as needed

Clinical Statistics

15-20%

of adults affected yearly

80%

report activity interruption

50%

BPPV recurrence at 5 years

Prevention Strategies

Movement Adaptation

Learning to move safely to prevent episodes

Action: Practice controlled head movements and position changes

Environmental Modifications

Creating a safer living space

Action: Install proper lighting and remove hazards

Lifestyle Management

Maintaining healthy habits

Action: Stay hydrated and maintain regular sleep patterns

Regular Exercise

Maintaining balance and strength

Action: Perform prescribed exercises consistently

Care Team

Primary Care Physician

Areas of Expertise:

•Initial evaluation
•Diagnosis coordination
•Treatment oversight

When to see: First point of contact and ongoing management

ENT Specialist

Areas of Expertise:

•Detailed vestibular testing
•Inner ear evaluation
•Specialized treatments

When to see: For persistent symptoms or specific ear-related causes

Neurologist

Areas of Expertise:

•Central cause evaluation
•Advanced testing
•Complex cases

When to see: When central causes are suspected

Struggling to stay consistent?

We'll send you a gentle reminder each week with exercises for vertigo — just enough to keep you on track.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Understanding Vertigo

Primary Symptoms

•Sensation of spinning or rotation
•Loss of balance
•Nausea and vomiting
•Visual disturbances
•Difficulty focusing eyes

Associated Symptoms

•Hearing changes or loss
•Ringing in ears (tinnitus)
•Headache
•Sweating
•Nystagmus (abnormal eye movements)

Types of Vertigo

Peripheral Vertigo

Originates from inner ear problems or vestibular system dysfunction.

•BPPV (most common cause)
•Meniere's Disease
•Vestibular neuritis
•Labyrinthitis

Central Vertigo

Results from problems in brain areas controlling balance.

•Vestibular migraine
•Stroke
•Multiple sclerosis
•Brain tumors

Common Triggers

Positional Changes

Movements that trigger vertigo episodes

•Rolling over in bed
•Looking up or down
•Bending over
•Quick head movements

Environmental

External factors that can worsen symptoms

•Moving visual environments
•Heights
•Busy patterns
•Screen movement

Health-Related

Medical conditions that may trigger vertigo

•Infections
•Medication side effects
•Blood pressure changes
•Dehydration

Warning Signs

Seek Immediate Medical Care If You Experience:

⚠Sudden severe vertigo with new neurological symptoms
⚠Vertigo with severe headache or neck pain
⚠Loss of consciousness
⚠Sudden hearing loss
⚠Double vision or other visual changes
⚠Difficulty speaking or swallowing
⚠Weakness in arms or legs
⚠First episode of severe vertigo after age 50

Treatment Approaches

Repositioning Maneuvers

50-90% success rate for BPPV

•Epley maneuver
•Semont maneuver
•Home exercises
•Professional guidance for proper technique

Vestibular Training

70-80% improvement in symptoms

•Gaze stabilization exercises
•Balance training
•Habituation exercises
•Customized exercise programs

Medical Management

Varies by underlying cause

•Anti-vertigo medications
•Treatment of underlying conditions
•Management of risk factors
•Regular monitoring

Recovery Timeline

Acute Phase (0-24 hours)

Initial management and symptom control

•Symptom management
•Medical evaluation
•Safety measures

Early Recovery (1-2 weeks)

Beginning specific treatments

•Starting exercises
•Medication adjustments
•Activity modifications

Training (2-8 weeks)

Active treatment phase

•Regular exercise program
•Improved stability
•Return to activities

Maintenance

Long-term management

•Prevention strategies
•Monitoring for recurrence
•Continued exercises as needed

Clinical Statistics

15-20%

of adults affected yearly

80%

report activity interruption

50%

BPPV recurrence at 5 years

Prevention Strategies

Movement Adaptation

Learning to move safely to prevent episodes

Action: Practice controlled head movements and position changes

Environmental Modifications

Creating a safer living space

Action: Install proper lighting and remove hazards

Lifestyle Management

Maintaining healthy habits

Action: Stay hydrated and maintain regular sleep patterns

Regular Exercise

Maintaining balance and strength

Action: Perform prescribed exercises consistently

Care Team

Primary Care Physician

Areas of Expertise:

•Initial evaluation
•Diagnosis coordination
•Treatment oversight

When to see: First point of contact and ongoing management

ENT Specialist

Areas of Expertise:

•Detailed vestibular testing
•Inner ear evaluation
•Specialized treatments

When to see: For persistent symptoms or specific ear-related causes

Neurologist

Areas of Expertise:

•Central cause evaluation
•Advanced testing
•Complex cases

When to see: When central causes are suspected

Struggling to stay consistent?

We'll send you a gentle reminder each week with exercises for vertigo — just enough to keep you on track.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.