Experiencing sudden symptoms of vertigo? The Epley Maneuver is an easy way to fix it.
Vertigo can happen because of many different reasons like an ear infection or Meniere’s disease, but the most common cause is the disease called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV.) The solution is much simpler than you might think with often powerful results. The Epley Maneuver, created by Dr. John Epley in 1980, is the key to sure relief of this common but confounding dizziness.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
The Epley Maneuver works if you are suffering from BPPV. If you have an ear infection or another issue, you will need to see a doctor or treat applicably. With BPPV, though, you can solve the problem at home or with the help of a healthcare provider. To understand why the Epley Maneuver works, one needs to understand the inner ear.
In the inner ear, there are semicircular tubes containing liquid. These tubes help to give you a sense of balance and signal movement to your brain. Next to the semicircular tubes is the utricle, in which are calcium crystals known as canaliths. These detect motion. Sometimes, the crystals may dislodge and get into the neighboring tubes, sending wrong signals to the brain and causing dizziness. The Epley Maneuver helps to send those crystals back into the right department.
Risk Factors of the Epley Maneuver
The maneuver is a series of steps in which the head and body form different positions. At some point in the process, one may experience a dramatically heightened sense of dizziness, potentially causing nausea and vomiting. It may be helpful to have someone at home with you to assist if you need. Ask your doctor if it is safe for you to do at home if you have issues such as back or neck problems or retinal detachment.
The Epley Maneuver
To move the canaliths back into the utricle, follow these steps. Make sure to have a pillow where your shoulders can rest. If the problem is in your right ear:
- Sit up on your bed.
- Turn your head 45 degrees to the right.
- Quickly lie down, keeping the head turned but also tilted back. Hold for 30 seconds.
- Turn your head 90 degrees to the left, so that it is turned 45 degrees to the left. Hold again for 30 seconds.
- Next, turn your head and body together onto your left side so that your head is now facing downward, and wait for 30 seconds.
- Sit up onto the left side of the bed.
If the problem is in the left ear, do the reverse.
What to Do Afterward
Do not look down for 24 hours. Some doctors say that waiting until the next morning works just as well. To keep yourself from doing so, you can make a neck brace by wrapping a towel around your neck. If you need, you can repeat the Epley Maneuver one or more times.
Trust the Experts at Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions
Need help with your hearing? Clarity Hearing can help. Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions is an independently owned and operated clinic that focuses on quality of care and personalized, friendly service to the surrounding areas of Ellicott City, Catonsville, Columbia. Our Doctors of Audiology are highly trained with advanced degrees and take the time to provide the personalized care and attention that you need and deserve. We provide advanced hearing aid options that personally calibrated with cutting-edge digital technology to fit your hearing loss, your unique ear anatomy, and your individual listening needs.
Come in for a walk-in appointment on Tuesdays & Fridays from 10:00 am to 11:30 am or contact us to schedule an appointment by calling 410-698-6594 or visiting our contact page. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn for more blog posts, news, and updates!