If your doctor thinks you have BPPV, they can teach you the Epley maneuver, where you turn your head and body in ways that move ear crystals back into place. For medication problems, they’ll work on ways to reduce side effects.
For persistent problems, doctors will check for infections, balance disorders, and more serious issues, such as tumors, congestive heart failure, an irregular heart rhythm, and conditions like Parkinson’s disease.
If none are found, your doctor may recommend vestibular rehab, which may help with dizziness, vertigo, and balance problems. In about 20 percent of cases, doctors can’t find the cause, Park says. But anxiety or depression may be a possibility. “The risk of dizziness goes up one and a half times if you have a known history of anxiety,” she says. Treating this may ease your lightheadedness.
