educational only, not a substitute for medical advice

resource page

bppv / positional vertigo

best for people who get short bursts of spinning when they roll in bed, look up, or bend over.

quick start

start with the one-minute video

if you want the fastest orientation first, this short video is a good place to start before diving into the rest of the page.

Understand BPPV in One Minute - Michael Teixido, M.D.

pattern snapshot

how this pattern tends to show up

this usually looks more like a very specific motion-triggered spin than a vague dizzy feeling all day.

common trigger

rolling in bed, looking up, bending over

how it feels

a short burst of spinning that settles again

timing clue

often under a minute and tied to head position

what is it

simple breakdown

BPPV is one of the most common causes of spinning vertigo. It usually causes brief, strong episodes that are triggered by head position changes rather than random dizziness all day long.

symptoms

common signs people notice

short bursts of spinning when rolling in bed or looking up

nausea during or after the spin

feeling off balance right after the episode

what to do next

finding the right kind of help

If this sounds like you, the best next move is getting checked by someone who can confirm whether it really is BPPV and which maneuver fits.

clinicians who may help

bppv is often diagnosed and treated by vestibular physical therapists, ENTs, audiologists, neurologists, and other vestibular clinicians who can test the canals directly.

why the right maneuver matters

a good bppv evaluation is not only about hearing the story. it is about watching the eye movements and matching the treatment to the specific canal pattern.

if you want someone who can assess and treat bppv directly, VEDA's healthcare directory is a good place to start.

why it happens

what is going on in the inner ear

bppv is a mechanical inner-ear problem, not usually a dangerous one

tiny calcium carbonate crystals called otoconia move out of place and slip into a semicircular canal

when your head moves into certain positions, those crystals shift and send a false movement signal to the brain

classic pattern

what true bppv usually feels like

the vertigo is usually clearly positional, like when rolling in bed, lying down, getting up, bending over, or looking up

each spin is usually brief, often around 15 to 60 seconds, not hours of nonstop dizziness

nausea can come with it, and some people feel a little off right after, but the strong spinning settles again until the next trigger

why diagnosis matters

not all bppv is treated the same way

the posterior canal is the most common, but the horizontal and anterior canals can be involved too

the correct maneuver depends on which canal is affected and whether the crystals are moving freely or stuck in a different part of the canal system

that is why one video or one home maneuver does not fit every version of bppv

when to widen the lens

when it may not be simple bppv

if the dizziness lasts much longer than a minute, keeps happening without positional triggers, or comes with major hearing or neurologic changes, it deserves a wider look

bppv is frequently confused with other vestibular problems, especially when people use dizzy to describe many different sensations

if something about the story feels off, the safest move is getting it assessed rather than forcing it into a bppv label

videos

helpful videos

How to Perform a Left Epley Maneuver (short version) for Home-BPPV How to Perform a Right Epley Maneuver (short version) for Home-BPPV Log Roll Maneuver (Horizontal Canal BPPV Treatment)Understand BPPV in One Minute - Michael Teixido, M.D.

podcast

listen to an episode

The Vertigo Doctor podcast: The secrets behind BPPV

deeper reading

trusted outside resources

The Vertigo Doctor: BPPV guide

a more detailed breakdown of how bppv works, how different canals are tested, and why treatment depends on the exact pattern.

VEDA's BPPV guide

a deeper overview of classic symptoms, testing, and treatment options if bppv seems to fit.