Why Do I Get Dizzy When I Lay Down?

Experiencing dizziness, especially when lying down, can be both unsettling and frustrating. If you’re finding yourself caught off guard by unexpected bouts of dizziness, you may be dealing with a condition known as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). This common inner ear disorder is characterized by a sudden sensation that the room is spinning, and it is the leading cause of vertigo. BPPV often occurs when there’s a shift in your head’s position and is especially noticeable when lying down, rolling over in bed, or tilting your head.

Although BPPV is usually not serious, it can significantly impact daily activities and increase the risk of falls, especially in older adults. Understanding the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for BPPV can help manage this condition and minimize its effects on your life. If you’re asking yourself, “Why am I dizzy when I lay down?” it may be worth talking to your doctor to explore treatment options like physical therapy maneuvers that can help reset your inner ear.

What Is BPPV?

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) occurs when small calcium crystals, known as otoconia, become dislodged from their normal location in the inner ear and move into the semicircular canals. The inner ear plays a crucial role in maintaining balance by sending signals to the brain about the position and movement of the head. When these crystals move into the canals, they interfere with the flow of fluid that helps sense head motion, leading to the sensation of dizziness or vertigo. Dizzy spells like episodes of BPPV are usually brief, though they can range from mild to severe. While BPPV itself is not life-threatening, the symptoms can cause significant discomfort and increase your risk of falls.

What Causes BPPV?

Do you know what’s causing you to wonder, “Why when I lay down I get dizzy?” The exact cause of BPPV is not always clear, but several factors can increase the likelihood of developing the condition. Some common causes and risk factors include:

• Age: BPPV is more common in people over the age of 50, because the structures of the inner ear can naturally degenerate with age.
• Gender: BBPV is two to three times more common in women than in men.
• Head trauma: Any injury to the head or neck can dislodge the calcium crystals in the inner ear, which may trigger vertigo.
• Ear infections: Certain ear infections can cause inflammation in the inner ear, which may disrupt your ability to balance normally.
• Prolonged bed rest: Extended periods of lying down or inactivity, like if you’re recovering from surgery or illness, can increase your chances of developing BPPV.

While BPPV can sometimes happen without any clear or obvious cause, these risk factors make it more likely for you to experience this condition. If you’re frequently feeling dizzy when lying down or changing positions, it’s a good idea to consult a doctor to determine if BPPV is the underlying issue.

Symptoms of BPPV

The most obvious symptom of BBPV is the sudden onset of dizziness, especially triggered by certain head movements. However, there are other symptoms you may experience alongside this dizzy sensation, including:

• Vertigo: Vertigo is the feeling that you or your surroundings are moving or rotating, even when you’re standing still. In BPPV, this typically happens when you change the position of your head.
• Nausea and Vomiting: The spinning sensation can sometimes make you feel nauseous or cause vomiting, especially after a particularly intense episode of dizziness.
• Loss of Balance: People with BPPV often report feeling unsteady on their feet, like they’re about to fall, especially when standing up too quickly.
• Feeling Unsteady: You might feel off-balance or wobbly during everyday tasks like walking or standing, which can increase the risk of falls.
• Nystagmus: This refers to abnormal eye movements that occur alongside vertigo. It may look like the eyes are moving rapidly back and forth or in a jerking motion, which is characteristic of BPPV.

What Triggers BPPV?

BPPV episodes are almost always triggered when you change your head position. These movements cause the dislodged crystals in your inner ear to move, disrupting the balance signals being sent to your brain. Along with getting dizzy when lying down, some of the other common movements that may bring on a dizzy spell include:

• Getting up from a lying down or seated position
• Bending over or tilting your head back
• Turning your head too quickly

When to Seek Emergency Support for Vertigo

While vertigo is typically not a cause for alarm, it can sometimes be a sign of a more serious underlying condition, especially when accompanied by other symptoms. It’s important to know when vertigo might require immediate medical attention. Although benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and other common forms of dizziness are typically harmless, certain warning signs can mean a more severe issue that needs prompt evaluation and treatment. If you experience dizziness along with any of the following symptoms, seek emergency medical care immediately:

• New, Sudden, Unexplained Headaches: A sudden, intense headache can be a red flag for a stroke, aneurysm, or another neurological condition. Pay attention if your dizziness is paired with a headache that is unusually severe or unlike your typical headaches.
• Fever of 100.4°F or Higher: Dizziness accompanied by a high fever may be a sign of an infection, like an ear infection or meningitis. These infections can lead to vertigo and should be treated promptly to prevent complications.
• Vision Loss: Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes is a serious symptom. This can be a sign of a stroke, multiple sclerosis, or other health conditions that affect the brain or optic nerves. Vertigo combined with vision loss requires urgent medical evaluation.
• Double Vision: If you have double vision along with dizziness, this could be a sign of a stroke, brain injury, or a neurological disorder. Even if the symptoms come and go, double vision should never be ignored and requires a trip to the doctor.
• Difficulty Speaking: Slurred or difficulty speaking can be a warning sign of a stroke or other neurological emergency. If you notice that your speech is impaired when you’re feeling dizzy, you should seek help right away, as this could indicate a disruption in blood flow to the brain.
• Limb Weakness: Weakness or numbness in your arms or legs can point to a stroke or other significant neurological event. Vertigo combined with muscle weakness, especially on one side of the body, is a concerning symptom and should be evaluated immediately.
• Loss of Consciousness: Fainting or loss of consciousness alongside vertigo is a serious symptom that may suggest heart or neurological problems. If you pass out or feel like you are about to lose consciousness, it’s important to seek emergency medical attention.
• Frequent Falling: Frequent or unexpected falls, especially if you’re losing your balance more than usual, could be a sign that something is disrupting the signals between your brain and body. Falls can increase the risk of injury, and when they happen, along with dizziness, they should be taken seriously.
• Trouble Walking: Difficulty walking or maintaining your balance, especially if it is accompanied by dizziness, could indicate a stroke or other serious neurological issue. If you’re suddenly struggling to walk or find your movements uncoordinated, immediate medical evaluation is needed.
• Numbness or Tingling in Your Body: Unexplained numbness or tingling, especially if it’s in your face or limbs, could be a sign of nerve damage, a stroke, or another neurological disorder. Vertigo combined with these sensations should not be ignored.

Why These Symptoms Matter

Vertigo on its own is often benign, but when paired with symptoms like vision changes, difficulty speaking, or weakness in your limbs, it could be a sign of a more severe condition. By understanding the signs of vertigo being more than just a nuisance, you can take action to protect your health. If you or someone you know says, “I get dizzy when I lay down,” along with any of these symptoms, do not hesitate to see a doctor promptly. Early intervention is the key to addressing serious conditions and preventing potential complications. If you experience recurrent, sudden, intense, or extended dizziness, see your doctor to discuss your next steps.

BPPV Treatments

Fortunately, BPPV is relatively easy to treat. 90% of patients seem to benefit from procedures that move the free-floating particles back to where they belong in the utricle. Here’s an example of how to get rid of feeling very dizzy when you lie down.

Epley Maneuver

The manipulation of crystals is called the Epley maneuver. It is a successful, non-invasive, non-medicated procedure that can be implemented with the support of a physical therapist.

The maneuver works by positioning the head in a particular sequence that helps the crystals float out of the semicircular canal. You may need to try several different positions in the same visit for the maneuver to be successful.

The steps to the Epley maneuver are as follows:

1. Turn your head 45 degrees in the direction of the ear that is causing vertigo.
2. Lay prone with your head over the side of the examination table for at least 30 seconds.
3. Turn your body to the opposite side while keeping your head where it is.
4. Turn your body and your head at the same time.
5. Sit up carefully.
6. Repeat up to six times until the dizziness has gone away.

You should always seek support from a medical professional to ensure that the maneuver is implemented correctly and to monitor for any other more serious factors.

Other Forms of Treatment

Medication is not normally prescribed to help with BPPV. However, anti-nausea medications may be helpful in the event of severe nausea or vomiting as a side effect of BPPV. This is particularly true in cases where the Epley maneuver would not be viable without managing nausea first.

Surgery is rarely necessary for treating this condition. If BPPV is recurrent to the point where it poses a threat to your continued safety, such as in the case of elevated risk for falls, your doctor may recommend a surgical procedure for more permanent manipulation of the posterior semicircular canal to limit the movement of crystals.

About half of people who have experienced BPPV are likely to have a recurring experience. There are home exercises that can help you manage it.

Dizziness Treatment at AICA College Park

If you’re frequently asking yourself, “Why do I get dizzy when I lay down?”, you can seek support at AICA Orthopedics in College Park, GA, to receive treatment for back pain as an option for dealing with your BPPV issues.