- Sit on your bed and turn your head 45° to the right.
- Quickly lie back, keeping your head turned; wait about 30 seconds.
- Turn your head 90° to the left without raising it; wait 30 seconds.
- Turn your head and body another 90° to the left, toward the bed; wait 30 seconds.
- Slowly sit up.
For left-ear BPPV, the sequence is reversed.
However, don’t perform this maneuver for the first time if you haven’t been evaluated for BPPV, particularly if you have significant neck or back problems, vascular disease, or a retinal detachment.
What about medication?
Medicines can sometimes help with severe nausea, but they don’t reposition the crystals. Repositioning maneuvers are the main treatment for BPPV.
When vertigo needs urgent evaluation
Don’t assume every episode of vertigo is BPPV. Seek urgent medical attention if dizziness/vertigo occurs with new weakness or numbness, difficulty speaking, severe headache, fainting, chest pain, inability to walk, or new vision problems. Persistent vertigo, significant hearing loss, or symptoms that don’t fit the typical brief, position-triggered pattern also deserve medical evaluation.
