There are two schools of thought on the treatment of vertigo:  medications and repositioning maneuvers.

Medications: Promethazine (anti-nausea),  Meclizine (Dramamine, an antihistamine), Diazepam (valium).  I haven’t had a lot of success with the medications.  Read More…

Posted under Treatment

Again from Wikipedia:

“Within the labyrinth of the inner ear lie collections of calcium crystals known as otoconia. In patients with BPPV, the otoconia are dislodged from their usual position within the utricle and they migrate over time into one of the semicircular canals (the posterior canal is most commonly affected due to its anatomical position). When the head is reoriented relative to gravity, the gravity-dependent movement of the heavier otoconial debris (colloquially “ear rocks”) within the affected semicircular canal causes abnormal (pathological) fluid endolymph displacement and a resultant sensation of vertigo. This more common condition is known as canalithiasis.”

IN OTHER WORDS:  These little particles go flying around inside your ears, and it make you dizzy.

Things that can trigger these little devils to go flying around: Read More…

Posted under Causes

Wikipedia will tell you that “Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a disorder caused by problems in the inner ear. Its symptoms are repeated episodes of positional vertigo, that is, of a spinning sensation caused by changes in the position of the head.”

The symptoms are listed as follows:

• Vertigo: Spinning dizziness which is not light headed or off balance.
• Short duration (Paroxysmal): Lasts only seconds to minutes
• Positional in onset: Only can be induced by a change in position.
• Nausea is often associated
• Visual disturbance: It may be difficult to read or see during an attack due to the associated nystagmus.
• Pre-Syncope (feeling faint) or Syncope (fainting) is unusual.
• Emesis (Vomiting) is uncommon but possible.

I have problems with some of these statements: Read More…

Posted under Symptoms