Vertigo Treatment: Effective Options, Causes, and What Actually Works

When you feel like the room is spinning, even when you’re standing still, you’re dealing with vertigo, a false sensation of movement or spinning caused by problems in the inner ear or brain. Also known as dizziness, it’s not just feeling lightheaded—it’s your balance system sending wrong signals to your brain. This isn’t just annoying; it can make walking, driving, or even getting out of bed feel dangerous. The good news? Most cases come from treatable issues in the inner ear, not something serious.

The most common cause is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, a condition where tiny crystals in the inner ear get dislodged and trigger spinning sensations when you move your head. It’s not dangerous, but it’s terrifying when it hits. Other causes include inner ear infections, Meniere’s disease, or even migraines. The treatment depends on the root problem. For BPPV, a simple head maneuver called the Epley maneuver can fix it in minutes. For others, vestibular rehabilitation, a type of physical therapy that retrains your brain to rely on other balance signals works better than pills.

Medications like meclizine or diazepam might help with nausea or dizziness in the short term, but they don’t fix the cause—and they can make you groggy. Long-term use isn’t recommended. What actually helps is getting the right diagnosis. If your vertigo happens only when you roll over in bed or look up, it’s likely BPPV. If it comes with ringing in the ears or hearing loss, it could be Meniere’s. If it’s tied to headaches, migraines might be the trigger. Knowing the difference changes everything.

You don’t need to live with this. Many people find relief without surgery or expensive tests. Simple home exercises, avoiding sudden head movements, and staying hydrated can reduce episodes. And if you’ve tried one treatment that didn’t work, don’t give up—there are options tailored to your specific type of vertigo. Below, you’ll find real, practical guides on what works, what doesn’t, and how to get back to feeling steady on your feet.