Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) in Grand Rapids, MI

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common inner ear balance disorder and one of the most frequent causes of vertigo in adults, especially people over age 65. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, BPPV is a frequent reason for visits to primary care providers, ENT specialists, and vestibular therapists at major health systems like Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health.

Because BPPV can increase your risk of falls—especially during icy West Michigan winters—early diagnosis and treatment are very important.

What Is BPPV?

BPPV occurs when tiny crystals of calcium carbonate (called otoconia) become dislodged from their normal position in a part of the inner ear called the utricle and move into one of the semicircular canals (the fluid-filled balance canals of the inner ear).

These misplaced crystals interfere with the normal flow of fluid in the canals. As your head moves, the crystals move too, sending incorrect balance signals from your inner ear to your brain and eyes. Your brain then “thinks” your head is moving more or differently than it really is, which causes vertigo and other symptoms.

Symptoms of BPPV

People in Grand Rapids with BPPV often describe:

  • A brief spinning sensation (vertigo) when moving the head
  • Light-headedness or feeling “off”
  • Unsteadiness or imbalance
  • Nausea, sometimes with vomiting
  • Feeling like the room is moving or tilting

These symptoms are usually triggered by specific head or body movements, such as:

  • Rolling over in bed
  • Getting in or out of bed
  • Bending forward
  • Looking up (for example, reaching to a high shelf or checking smoke detectors)
  • Tipping the head back to put in eye drops or wash hair

Pattern of Symptoms

  • Episodes are usually brief (seconds to a minute), but can recur many times a day.
  • Symptoms may come and go, stopping for weeks or months and then returning.
  • Some people feel fine when still, but symptoms start the moment they move their head a certain way.

Because winter in Grand Rapids often means icy sidewalks and slippery driveways, even brief vertigo episodes can significantly increase the risk of falls and fractures, particularly in older adults.

How the Inner Ear Balance System Works

Inside each inner ear is a complex balance system made up of:

  • Three semicircular canals �� fluid-filled loops oriented at different angles
  • The utricle and saccule – detect gravity and linear movement

When you move your head, the fluid in the semicircular canals shifts. This movement tells your brain:

  • How far your head has moved
  • How fast it moved
  • In what direction it moved

In BPPV, loose crystals in a semicircular canal disrupt this fluid movement, so the signal going to your brain does not match what your eyes and body are sensing. This mismatch creates the illusion of spinning or movement.

Causes of BPPV

In many Grand Rapids patients, no clear cause of BPPV is found (this is called idiopathic BPPV). However, known risk factors and causes include:

  • Age-related degeneration of the inner ear (very common over age 60)
  • Head injury (including concussions from car accidents, sports, or falls on ice)
  • Inner ear disorders, such as vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis
  • Degeneration of the vestibular system in the inner ear
  • Osteoporosis or low bone density – BPPV is more common in people with osteoporosis, which is an important consideration for older adults in Michigan
  • Recent ear surgery or prolonged bed rest in some cases

Because Grand Rapids residents deal with long winters, falls on ice and head injuries can be a contributing factor to BPPV in this region.

Who Is at Risk in Grand Rapids?

You may be at higher risk of BPPV if you:

  • Are over 60 years old
  • Have a history of osteoporosis or low vitamin D (more common in northern climates with less winter sunlight, like West Michigan)
  • Have had a recent head injury or concussion
  • Have had other inner ear problems
  • Have had prolonged bed rest (for example, after surgery or serious illness)

Diagnosis of BPPV in Grand Rapids, MI

BPPV is usually diagnosed in a clinic setting by a healthcare professional familiar with vestibular disorders. In Grand Rapids, evaluation is commonly done by:

  • Primary care providers
  • Ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists
  • Neurologists
  • Audiologists
  • Physical therapists with vestibular rehabilitation training

What to Expect During Evaluation

Diagnosis is based on:

  • Your medical history, including:
    • When your symptoms started
    • What movements trigger them
    • How long episodes last
    • Any recent head injuries or ear infections
  • Questions about when and where symptoms occur, such as:
    • “Do you feel dizzy when rolling over in bed?”
    • “Does looking up or bending down trigger spinning?”
  • Physical examination, including:
    • Checking your balance and walking
    • Eye movement tests
    • Specific positional tests (such as the Dix–Hallpike maneuver), where your provider quickly moves you into certain positions and watches your eyes for characteristic movements (nystagmus)

In some cases—especially if symptoms are in both ears, do not fit the usual pattern, or if there are other concerning neurological signs—additional tests or imaging may be ordered to rule out other causes of vertigo.

Treatment for BPPV in Grand Rapids

The good news for Grand Rapids residents is that BPPV is highly treatable with simple, non-invasive techniques. While BPPV can sometimes subside on its own over weeks or months, treatment is recommended to:

  • Reduce vertigo and nausea
  • Lower the risk of falls, particularly in older adults
  • Help you return to normal daily activities more quickly

Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers

The main treatment for BPPV is a set of positional maneuvers designed to move the loose crystals out of the semicircular canal and back into an area of the inner ear where they will not cause symptoms.

Common maneuvers include:

  • Epley maneuver
  • Semont (liberatory) maneuver
  • Other canal-specific repositioning techniques

These are usually performed by:

  • ENT specialists
  • Audiologists
  • Vestibular physical therapists
  • Some primary care providers trained in the technique

Your healthcare professional can perform these maneuvers in the office. In many cases, you will feel improvement immediately or within a few days. Sometimes a second treatment session is needed if symptoms persist or return.

Home Exercises

You may also be given home exercises, such as:

  • Modified Epley maneuvers
  • Brandt–Daroff exercises

It is important to follow the instructions carefully and persist with the exercises, as they offer a simple, non-invasive way to reduce vertigo and nausea associated with BPPV.

This is especially important for older adults in Grand Rapids, who may also benefit from additional balance and strength exercises to reduce fall risk—particularly during snowy and icy months.

Medications

  • Very short-term use of motion sickness medications (such as meclizine) may be recommended to help control nausea.
  • These medications do not fix the underlying problem (the displaced crystals) and are usually used only for brief periods.

Always follow your provider’s guidance; do not use these medicines long term without medical advice.

Surgery (Rare)

In rare, severe cases where:

  • BPPV is persistent and disabling, and
  • Positional maneuvers and exercises have not helped

Surgery may be considered. This involves blocking the affected canal while preserving the function of the rest of the vestibular system. Surgical options are typically discussed with specialized ENT surgeons at major centers, such as those within Spectrum Health or Trinity Health Grand Rapids.

Living With BPPV in Grand Rapids

While you are being treated or waiting for symptoms to improve, you can:

  • Move slowly and carefully, especially when getting out of bed
  • Use handrails on stairs and be cautious on icy sidewalks and driveways
  • Avoid sudden head movements when possible
  • Use night lights to reduce fall risk when getting up at night
  • Ask your provider whether temporarily avoiding certain positions (like lying flat or on a particular side) is recommended

Because of the winter conditions and changing weather in West Michigan, taking extra fall-prevention steps is especially important for older adults with BPPV in Grand Rapids.

When to Seek Medical Help

Contact a healthcare provider in Grand Rapids if you:

  • Have recurrent episodes of spinning triggered by head movements
  • Feel unsteady or are afraid of falling
  • Have nausea or vomiting with vertigo
  • Have had a recent fall or head injury and now experience vertigo

Seek emergency care right away (call 911) if vertigo is accompanied by:

  • Sudden weakness, numbness, or trouble speaking
  • Severe headache unlike any you’ve had before
  • Chest pain, shortness of breath, or loss of consciousness
  • Sudden vision changes or difficulty walking

These could be signs of a more serious condition, such as a stroke or heart problem.

Where to Get Help for BPPV in Grand Rapids, MI

If you think you may have BPPV, start with:

  • Your primary care provider (GP)
  • ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist
  • Audiologist (hearing and balance specialist)
  • Specialist physiotherapist / vestibular rehabilitation therapist

Local resources include:

  • Major health systems:
    • Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) – Grand Rapids
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Mercy Health locations in West Michigan
  • Public health resources:
    • Kent County Health Department
    • Grand Rapids Public Health programs for fall prevention and senior health

These providers can evaluate your symptoms, confirm a diagnosis of BPPV, and perform or teach the appropriate repositioning maneuvers and exercises.

Key Points About BPPV in Grand Rapids

  • BPPV is the most common cause of vertigo, especially in people over 65 years old.
  • Symptoms are usually triggered by specific head movements, such as rolling in bed, getting up, or looking up.
  • BPPV is thought to be caused by tiny calcium carbonate crystals (otoconia) coming loose within the inner ear canals.
  • BPPV can be linked to head injury, age-related degeneration of the vestibular system, and osteoporosis, though in many cases no clear cause is found.
  • Early diagnosis and treatment with positional maneuvers can reduce symptoms and help prevent falls, which is especially important during icy Michigan winters.
  • If you live in Grand Rapids and experience positional vertigo, contact your GP, ENT specialist, audiologist, or vestibular physical therapist for evaluation and treatment.