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The Curious Bag
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The brain uses information from otolith organs in the semicircular canals of the inner ear to establish position; when one of these organs breaks loos, there is a feeling of dizziness (vertigo), according to the Mayo Clinic.
Epley's Maneuver
Epley's maneuver, also called the canalith repositioning procedure, is a series of positions used to move the affected otolith organ back into place, according to Medline Plus and the Mayo Clinic.
Features
Positions in the Epley maneuver are held for about thirty seconds after symptoms stop, and the exercises are taught to patients so they can perform them at home, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Warning
After the Epley maneuver is performed, patients should not lie flat on their backs (the head should be elevated while sleeping) and the ear should not be brought below the level of the shoulder, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Surgery
In some cases, a bone plug may be surgically implanted in the inner ear to correct symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Medications
Medications, including antihistamines, anticholinergics and sedative-hypnotics are sometimes used to treat benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, although Medline Plus reports that this is often ineffective.
Source:
Medline Plus: Benign Positional Vertigo
Mayo Clinic: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Treatments and Drugs
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