Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a very common cause of dizziness in adults. The word vertigo means the kind of dizziness where the world feels as if it is spinning around you. The episodes of BPPV tend to be brief, lasting less than a minute, but very uncomfortable. Turning the head can make the dizziness worse. The good news is that these dizzy spells are frequently very easy to treat using special techniques. In fact, once taught the technique, many people are able to do it themselves at home for quick relief of their vertigo.
BPPV is caused by crystals coming loose in the inner ear and floating through the canals that control our sense of position and balance. Over time, many physicians have come up with ways to reposition the crystals, moving them out of the canals where they won't cause so much trouble. These techniques are frequently named after their inventor. For example, there are the Epley, Semont, Gufoni and Brandt-Daroff techniques. These techniques help improve symptoms of BPPV in over 70% of cases.
Remember, while dizziness is usually caused by something that is not life threatening, serious causes of dizziness exist. When in doubt, it is best to be evaluated by a medical professional. Besides, as you see, there's a good chance a doctor will be able to help, and who wants to stay dizzy?
If you are unable to fix your dizziness on your own, try a web search for “treat dizziness” in your area to find clinics that may be able to assist you.