Benign positional vertigo

Alternative names:

vertigo - positional

Treatment:

Usually, no treatment is required. Occasionally, medications such as antihistamines, anticholinergics, and sedative-hypnotics may be prescribed to reduce symptoms of vertigo.

Avoid head positions that cause vertigo. Use caution in occupations where even short episodes of vertigo may be dangerous.

Sometimes, gradually increasing the time spent in positions that cause vertigo causes the inner ear to adjust and decreases the positional vertigo.

Expectations (prognosis):

Benign positional vertigo is uncomfortable, but it is not medically dangerous.

Complications:

Positional vertigo may be difficult to distinguish from other disorders of the inner ear.

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if vertigo develops that has not been evaluated.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if benign positional vertigo has been diagnosed and symptoms cause disruption of lifestyle, or symptoms worsen, or new symptoms develop.