You’re standing peacefully when suddenly… everything starts spinning. This sensation of dizziness, as unexpected as it is uncomfortable, affects many people. But did you know that the cause could be as tiny as a grain of sand? In some cases, small displaced crystals in the inner ear are responsible. The good news is that there are simple, natural, and effective ways to alleviate these sensations.
What happens in our inner ear?
In our ear, more specifically in a structure called the vestibule, are calcium carbonate crystals called otoliths. Their role? To help the body detect movement and maintain balance. They work in conjunction with sensory hairs, much like position sensors.
But sometimes, these crystals move to places they shouldn’t. As a result, the brain receives conflicting information, and you feel like the room is spinning when everything is actually still. This is called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (or BPPV).
Why do these crystals move?
Several factors can contribute to this imbalance:
