Ever stood up and felt the room spin? That spinning or tilting feeling is vertigo. It’s not a disease itself but a symptom that comes from your inner ear, nerves, or brain. The good news: a lot of vertigo is treatable, and some simple moves or home steps can stop an attack fast.
Most cases come from the inner ear. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) happens when tiny calcium crystals (otoconia) move into the wrong part of the inner ear. Other causes are vestibular neuritis (an inner ear inflammation), Meniere’s disease (fluid build-up), and less commonly strokes or brain issues. Medication side effects and low blood pressure can also feel like dizziness, so it helps to describe symptoms clearly when you see a clinician.
How you feel matters: true vertigo is a strong spinning sensation. Lightheadedness or faintness is different. If you have hearing loss or ringing in the ears with vertigo, that points more to inner ear problems like Meniere’s.
For BPPV, the Epley maneuver often works well. You can do it at a clinic or learn a guided version from a doctor or physiotherapist. It’s a series of head and body movements that moves the crystals back where they belong. If you’re trying an Epley at home, follow a trusted video or instruction from a clinician—do it slowly and stop if symptoms worsen.
During an attack, sit or lie still until the spinning eases. Close your eyes, focus on steady breathing, and avoid sudden head turns. Over-the-counter anti-nausea meds like meclizine or dimenhydrinate can help with nausea and motion, but they won’t fix the cause. Prescription options and steroid or antiviral treatment are used for vestibular neuritis or severe cases—talk to your doctor first.
Vestibular rehab (specialized physical therapy) is great if vertigo is recurring. It retrains balance and reduces sensitivity to triggers. Simple daily balance exercises can also help between attacks—stand on one leg, walk heel-to-toe, or try slow head turns while focusing on a fixed point.
When should you get urgent care? Go to the ER or call emergency services if vertigo comes on very suddenly with severe headache, double vision, trouble speaking, weakness on one side, or difficulty walking. Those can be signs of a stroke or other serious condition. Also see a doctor quickly if vertigo lasts for days, keeps coming back, or if you have new hearing loss.
If vertigo is messing with work or driving, talk with your clinician about specific safety steps and treatment options. Small changes—like sleeping slightly propped up or avoiding quick head turns—can keep you safer while you get treatment. If you want, check our site for related guides on dizziness, balance exercises, and safe medication use.
