You roll over to reach your alarm, and the room starts spinning. It stops after a few seconds, but the feeling leaves you gripping the mattress. If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Dizziness when you change position is worth understanding, and balance and dizziness disorders are among the conditions Total Rehab Solutions treats.
What is actually happening inside your inner ear?
Your inner ear helps your brain sense head movement and gravity. One common cause of brief spinning when you move your head is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, usually shortened to BPPV, in which tiny particles in the inner ear end up where they should not be and send a false movement signal. Only a clinician who examines you can say whether that is what is happening.
Why does rolling over in bed trigger it so reliably?
With BPPV, certain head movements, such as rolling over, sitting up or lying back, tend to bring on the spinning. A vestibular physical therapist can use careful head movement tests to work out what is going on.
Is BPPV only a problem for older adults?
No. It can happen at different ages. Caregivers looking after an older parent in Auburn or the Lee County area sometimes notice that a loved one has become hesitant to roll over, get out of bed quickly or look up at a shelf. That hesitation is worth mentioning to their doctor.
Other causes of positional dizziness worth knowing
BPPV is not the only cause of dizziness linked to position. Other inner ear conditions, the neck, and some medications can all produce similar feelings. Because several conditions overlap, an evaluation matters before any treatment begins.
What does vestibular physical therapy actually do for this?
For BPPV, a vestibular physical therapist may use repositioning maneuvers, a guided sequence of head and body movements. The Epley maneuver is the best known. Therapy can also include balance work. How many sessions you need depends on your situation, so ask your therapist.
Total Rehab Vestibular in Opelika serves the Auburn area
Total Rehab Vestibular, at 1961 1st Avenue in Opelika, is the group’s vestibular and dizziness clinic. You can reach it at (334) 363-0606. The home page says “NO REFERRAL Required.” If you prefer to start at one of the Auburn locations, the Glenn Avenue clinic at 2515 E. Glenn Avenue #104 can be reached at (334) 821-2256, and the South College clinic at 1907 South College Street Ste 208 at (334) 649-3399.
Signs that dizziness after rolling over deserves a professional evaluation
These patterns are worth getting checked:
- Spinning episodes that keep coming back
- Dizziness accompanied by hearing loss, ringing in the ears, or a feeling of fullness in one ear
- Unsteadiness that has caused a near fall or an actual fall
- Dizziness that makes you afraid to move, sleep on one side, or get out of bed without help
- A new episode after a head injury, even a mild one
Dizziness that comes with a sudden severe headache, double vision, slurred speech, or weakness in an arm or leg is a medical emergency: call 911. For other dizziness, talk to your doctor or a physical therapist.
Frequently asked questions
How long does BPPV usually last without treatment?
It varies from person to person. If episodes are disrupting your life, talk to your doctor or a vestibular physical therapist rather than waiting it out.
Can I do the Epley maneuver at home by myself?
Home versions are described online, but which maneuver fits depends on which ear and which part of the inner ear is involved. Get assessed before trying anything at home.
Is it safe to drive if I am having episodes of positional vertigo?
A sudden spin while driving could be dangerous. Talk to your doctor or physical therapist about whether it is safe for you to drive.
What is the difference between vertigo and dizziness?
Vertigo is a type of dizziness in which you or the room seem to be spinning. Dizziness can also mean lightheadedness or feeling unsteady without spinning. Describing exactly what you feel helps your clinician.
Does Total Rehab Vestibular treat conditions other than BPPV?
Balance and dizziness disorders are among the conditions listed on the site, and the practice also has a balance and fall prevention program. Call Total Rehab Vestibular at (334) 363-0606 or use the appointment request form on the website to describe your symptoms.
Sources
This article draws on the following pages.