If you’re referring to “inner ear crystals,” you are most likely talking about benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, a common cause of brief episodes of dizziness. In BPPV, tiny calcium carbonate crystals (called otoconia) become dislodged and move into one of the inner ear’s balance canals, causing vertigo with certain head movements.
Common symptoms
- Brief spinning sensation when:
- Rolling over in bed
- Looking up or down
- Getting out of bed
- Nausea
- Loss of balance
- Symptoms usually last seconds to a minute.
How are the crystals treated?
The most effective treatment is usually a canalith repositioning maneuver, which uses a series of head and body movements to guide the crystals back to where they belong.
The best-known is the Epley maneuver, but it should ideally be performed after a healthcare professional confirms that BPPV is the cause of your vertigo, because different types of vertigo require different treatments.
Can you do the Epley maneuver at home?
Some people are taught to do it at home after they’ve been diagnosed with BPPV. However, it is not appropriate for everyone, especially people with certain neck, back, or blood vessel conditions.
Other things that may help
- Move slowly when changing positions.
- Sit on the edge of the bed for a minute before standing.
- Stay hydrated.
- Use handrails or support if you’re unsteady to reduce the risk of falling.
When to seek medical care urgently
Vertigo is not always caused by inner ear crystals. Seek immediate medical attention if dizziness is accompanied by:
- Weakness or numbness on one side of the body
- Trouble speaking
- Double vision or sudden vision loss
- Severe headache unlike your usual headaches
- Chest pain
- Fainting
- Difficulty walking that persists
If vertigo keeps coming back
Recurrent or persistent dizziness should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Other conditions—such as inner ear inflammation, Ménière’s disease, migraine, medication side effects, or neurological disorders—can cause similar symptoms and may require different treatment.
If you describe when the vertigo happens (for example, rolling over in bed, standing up, or all the time), how long each episode lasts, and whether you have hearing loss or ringing in the ears, I can help narrow down the possible cause.
