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Published on: 7/15/2026

What techniques can help get rid of dizziness caused by Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) while lying down?

Yoshinori Abe

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Dizziness from BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) while lying down can often be eased with a few simple adjustments. Sleep with your head slightly elevated using an extra pillow or a wedge, avoid lying flat on the affected side, and move slowly when getting in or out of bed. Sudden head movements — especially rolling over or tilting your head back — can trigger vertigo episodes, so take positional changes gradually.

Because BPPV symptoms can overlap with other inner ear, neurological, or cardiovascular conditions, it's important to understand what's actually causing your dizziness before assuming it's BPPV. A fast, free, and private symptom check can help you identify likely causes based on your specific symptoms and guide you toward the right next steps — whether that's home care, seeing a primary doctor, or consulting a specialist. Take a few minutes now to get clarity and move forward with confidence.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

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Explanation

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) can cause dizziness when you move your head or body in certain ways, especially while lying down. One way to reduce dizziness is to sleep with your head slightly elevated. This can be done by using extra pillows or a wedge pillow under your head.

Additionally, it is helpful to avoid sudden or quick movements when turning in bed. Moving slowly and deliberately can help prevent triggering dizziness.

Research suggests that being mindful of your sleep position can also play a role in managing BPPV symptoms. Adjusting your sleeping habits to avoid positions that make you dizzy might be beneficial.

These strategies can help manage dizziness symptoms, but if dizziness persists, you can check your symptoms with our free AI symptom checker or consult with a healthcare provider for further evaluation and treatment.

(References)

  • Lindell E, Finizia C, Johansson M, Karlsson T, Nilson J, & Magnusson M. (2018). Asking about dizziness when turning in bed predicts .... Journal of vestibular research : equilibrium & orientation, 30149484.

  • Kitahara T, Horinaka A, Shiozaki T, Ito T, Wada Y, Yamanaka T, & Nario K. (2020). Combination of head-up sleep and vertical recognition .... Acta oto-laryngologica, 32069120.

  • Yousovich R, Duvdevani SI, Lipschitz N, Wolf M, Migirov L, & Yakirevitch A. (2019). Correlation Between the Sleep-Position Habits and .... The Israel Medical Association journal : IMAJ, 31713357.

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