Why does my head feel dizzy when i lay down

A question that I frequently hear from my patients is “ Why am I feeling dizziness when lying down and rolling over ?”

The answer is that, very commonly, people who are suffering with what’s called BPPV, or Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo – which is the most common vestibular disorder or the most common “inner ear condition that causes dizziness” – often complain of dizziness when they lie down or roll over in bed.

This can affect them at any time when they are lying down or rolling over in bed, but often people with BPPV complain that it is worse in the morning.

What to Do if you are feeling dizziness when lying down and rolling over

So if you are someone who is suffering with feeling dizziness when lying down and rolling over in bed, I highly recommend for you to be evaluated by a Vestibular Specialist, which you can find at the website Vestibular.org. That’s the Vestibular Disorders Association where you can find a provider by geography, who specializes in this type of dizziness and its resolution.

If you would like more information about the patient care services that I provide to help people with symptoms of dizziness, vertigo and loss of balance find relief and live again, click here.

If you would like to read more helpful articles on feeling dizziness when lying down and rolling over  as well as more information about BPPV, please visit our Vertigo and BPPV resource site.

[If your symptoms are caused by BPPV, the good news is that it can be fixed in 1-2 visits about 90% of the time, but you have to find the right provider who is skilled at this type of evaluation and treatment or it could persist for months to years.]

Disclaimer

This blog is provided for informational purposes only. The content and any comments by Dr. Kim Bell, DPT are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The details of any case mentioned in this post represent a typical patient that Dr. Bell might see and do not describe the circumstances of a specific individual.

Dizziness (lightheadedness) is a common symptom that’s not usually a sign of anything serious, but should be investigated by a doctor.

The term "dizziness" means different things to different people – some use it to describe feeling lightheaded or off balance, while others use it to describe a feeling that their surroundings are spinning.

Because the symptom is quite vague and can be caused by a wide range of things, it may not always be easy to identify the underlying cause.

This page explains what you should do if you feel dizzy for no apparent reason, and outlines the most common causes.

When to seek help

Your GP will want to establish exactly what you mean by dizziness, and check that you're not actually describing vertigo – a severe type of dizziness, where you feel your surroundings are spinning or moving.

They’ll also want to know:

• whether the dizziness started for no apparent reason, or if it followed an illness
• whether you have repeated episodes of dizziness and, if so, when you tend to experience these
• how long the dizziness lasts

Dizziness can sometimes be caused by an ear condition. A simple way of distinguishing between ear-related dizziness and dizziness due to other causes is to determine whether it occurs only when you're upright or also when you're lying down.

If feeling dizzy occurs when you're upright is probably not related to the ear. Dizziness that happens when you're lying down is usually caused by a viral ear infection, which can't be treated with antibiotics.

It’s a good idea to keep a diary recording when and where you experience dizziness and take it with you to your GP appointment. It's helpful to note:

• what you were doing at the time you felt dizzy
• how long it lasted and how bad it was
• whether you had any other symptoms – such as fainting, vomiting, nausea, blurred vision, headache, hearing loss or tinnitus

If you're taking prescription medicine, your GP will probably review this to check whether dizziness is a possible side effect. If necessary, they can prescribe a different medication for you to try.

You’re lying down in bed, ready to drift off to a restful sleep after a long day. Calming ocean sounds drift from your white noise machine, you’re wearing your comfiest sleepwear – but something isn’t quite right. You tilt your head ever so slightly, and then it hits you: a sudden dizzy spell strikes, and the room feels like it’s spinning. If you’ve ever experienced dizziness when lying down, you know how disorienting it can be. Fortunately, all of the most common causes of dizziness are highly treatable.

Dizziness When Lying Down: What Does it Mean?

BBPV and Dizziness When Lying Down

First, let’s address the most common cause of dizziness while lying down: benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV. This condition occurs when tiny gravity-sensing crystals in the inner ear mistakenly move into parts of the ear – namely, the parts that detect head motion. This can result in sudden, brief periods of intense vertigo, the type of dizziness that makes it feel like the room is spinning around you. Dizziness symptoms associated with BPPV often occur when you lie down or roll over in bed. Although they’re short – usually between 10 and 20 seconds long – these episodes can be disorienting, frustrating, and even dangerous, as they could cause you to accidentally roll or fall out of bed.

Head Injury and Dizziness

Have you been in a car accident or suffered a fall lately? A head injury could be the culprit behind your dizziness. If you’ve suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) like a concussion, you may notice more general problems with balance, including vertigo. Fortunately, traumatic head injuries are treatable with the help of a dizzy and balance expert.

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Ménière’s Disease and Dizziness

So, you’re experiencing dizziness while lying down, but neither BPPV nor a head injury seems to be the issue. You may be suffering from Ménière’s disease, a disorder of the inner ear that causes severe vertigo, tinnitus, hearing loss, and often a feeling of congestion in the ear. Ménière’s can lead to sudden attacks of dizziness that, like BPPV episodes, can be extremely disorienting. While Ménière’s disease can develop at any age, it most commonly affects adults in midlife between 40 and 60 years of age.

Treating Dizziness When Lying Down

Rest assured: you don’t have to suffer in silence. If you’re experiencing troubling dizzy spells, reach out to a dizzy and balance expert to get quick relief. If your doctor diagnoses you with BPPV, they may complete one of two in-office procedures to ease your symptoms. The first procedure, known as the Epley maneuver, involves gently tilting your head in a series of different directions. The second procedure, the Semont maneuver, involves quickly turning your head from side to side. If your doctor suspects a traumatic head injury, they may refer you to a specialty concussion clinic. These clinics are designed to properly evaluate any damage caused by a head injury; at that point, your doctor can work with you on a long-term treatment plan. Finally, if your doctor suspects Ménière’s disease, they will likely develop a long-term plan to address Ménière’s disease symptoms in the short and long term.

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Dizziness while lying down can be frustrating, preventing you from getting adequate sleep and even posing safety hazards. Fortunately, experts like those at National Dizzy & Balance Center are here to help.

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Are you struggling with dizziness while lying down? Are you in need of medical advice and wondering where to turn? Reach out to the professionals at the National Dizzy & Balance Center. We specialize in diagnosing and treating vestibular disorders, including concussions and ongoing dizziness. Our talented team members can evaluate the extent of your concussion and design a personalized plan to relieve your symptoms. To learn more about our approach to dizziness management, please contact us online or by phone. Or if you’re ready to get started, schedule your free medical consultation today.

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