The most prevalent cause of dizziness is vertigo, which accounts for 54 percent1 of dizziness reports in primary care offices. Vertigo2 creates a feeling of spinning within your body2 and also potentially within your environment. This feeling can last seconds or minutes (as in vestibular paroxysm) or hours (as in Menière’s disease or vestibular migraine). In the worst cases, vertigo can last days or even weeks2. The most common type of vertigo is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). BPPV is caused by calcium carbonate crystals normally embedded in gel in the utricle (part of the inner ear) becoming dislodged. The crystals can then migrate into one or more of the three fluid-filled semicircular canals in the ear. When these crystals accumulate in one of the canals, they interfere with normal fluid movement, and the inner ear can send false signals to the brain. BPPV creates brief dizziness episodes often triggered by specific changes, like moving your head up or down, lying down, turning over, or sitting up. Symptoms of BPPV besides dizziness include nausea, vomiting, and unsteadiness that can increase your risk for falls. Fortunately, BPPV is the easiest type of vertigo to treat. If you suspect you have BPPV, consult with your doctor to discuss effective strategies to reduce or eliminate symptoms. Suffering from anxiety? Here are 20 natural anxiety remedies to try.
