Feeling Dizzy When Lying Down And Closing Eyes
After an exhaustive day, you may feel dizzy when you lie down. But, if this dizziness persists after closing your eyes, it may be a sign of an issue with your vestibular system. These issues mostly affect your inner ear and may affect your balance and coordination.
Instead of waiting for your symptoms to subside on their own, it is advisable to seek medical attention. Your physical therapist can examine your condition to develop a tailored treatment plan.
This article explores the causes of dizziness and what a Scottsdale physical therapy treatment plan may include. Kindly read along!
What Is Vertigo?
Vertigo is when you feel as if you or your surroundings are spinning when you are not. This condition causes dizziness and results from problems in your inner ear. Sometimes, vertigo can be mild, and sometimes, your symptoms might be severe.
What Conditions Cause Dizziness When Lying Down And Closing Eyes?
Inner ear problems are the primary causes of dizziness when lying down and closing eyes. These problems include;
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
BPPV is an inner ear disorder that causes a sudden spinning sensation, especially when one moves one's head. This condition can occur randomly and is often triggered by low blood pressure, head injury, and lying down for a long period.
Labyrinthitis
Labyrinthitis is an inner ear infection that causes an inflammation of the labyrinth. This condition can cause dizziness and hearing loss. Fatigue, large amounts of alcohol, stress, and viral infections can trigger labyrinthitis.
Vestibular Neuritis
Vestibular neuritis causes sudden and severe vertigo and dizziness. You may also experience nausea and vomiting during your episodes. This condition occurs when the nerve in your inner ear is inflamed, interrupting how your brain reads information.
Meniere’s Disease
Meniere’s disease is a chronic disorder affecting the inner ear. It can cause recurrent episodes of dizziness and hearing loss, which can sometimes last up to a day. Without proper treatment, Meniere’s disease can lead to permanent hearing loss and frequent balance problems.
How Can Physical Therapy Help With Dizziness?
Physical therapy is a treatment technique that can address the underlying cause of dizziness when lying down. This treatment can help reduce dizziness symptoms. Other benefits of physical therapy include improved strength, mobility, and balance. The treatment can also help reduce fall risk.
Your physical therapist can assess your condition and medical history during diagnosis to create a tailored treatment plan. Depending on the severity of your condition, the treatment plan may consist of different exercises and modalities.
Physical Therapy For Dizziness
Physical therapy for dizziness when lying down includes rehabilitation for your vestibular system. Techniques used during vestibular rehab in Scottsdale can help with dizziness when lying down and closing your eyes. They include the following;
Habituation Exercises
Habituation exposes you to your dizziness triggers. Since you experience dizziness when you lie down and close your eyes, your physical therapist will gradually expose you to this trigger to increase your endurance. Your physical therapist will slowly increase the exposure until you no longer have symptoms.
Particle Repositioning Maneuvers
The inner ear has tiny calcium crystals or otoconia. When these particles become loose from their normal location, they can move into other parts of the ear, causing dizziness whenever you lie down and close your eyes. Particle repositioning maneuvers can return the loose particles to their proper position to relieve dizziness symptoms.
Your physical therapist may recommend the following particle repositioning maneuvers to treat your dizziness in Scottsdale;
Epley Maneuver
- Sit on the edge of a bed
- Turn your head to the right at 45 degrees or as far as is comfortable
- Quickly lie back until your shoulders are on the pillow
- Maintain your position for 30 seconds after your dizziness subsides
- Turn your head till it is 45 degrees to the left without lifting it
- Maintain this position for 30 seconds
- Turn your head and body another 90 degrees into the bed till you are lying on your left side.
- Maintain this position for 30 seconds
- Slowly sit up
- Repeat on the other side
Semont Maneuver
- Sit on the edge of a bed with your legs hanging over the side
- Turn your head about 45 degrees away from the affected side
- Quickly move to a lying down position on the affected side. You should be looking at the ceiling. If you experience dizziness, maintain that position till it passes
- Once the dizziness passes, move back to the sitting position and quickly onto your other side. You should be looking at the floor. If you experience dizziness, maintain that position till it passes
- After the dizziness passes, move back into the sitting position
Brandt-Daroff Exercise
- Sit upright on the edge of a sofa or bed.
- Turn your head to the left at 45 degrees or as far as is comfortable.
- Lower the right side of your body while keeping your head in that position
- Hold this position for 30 seconds or till your dizziness stops
- Slowly return to the starting position and turn your head back to the center
- Repeat the exercise on the other side
Foster Maneuver
- Kneel and place your hands on the floor
- Tilt your head up and back. Wait for your dizziness to pass
- Place your forehead on the floor and tuck your chin towards your knees
- Turn your head by 45 degrees in the direction of the affected ear to face your elbow
- Hold this position for 30 seconds
- Keep your head at 45 degrees and raise it until it is level with your back and shoulders.
- Hold the position for 30 seconds
- Raise your head to the fully upright position
Conclusion
Physical therapy can help relieve vertigo symptoms and improve your quality of life. You can visit FYZICAL South Scottsdale to discuss this with our physical therapists. They are patient and will assess your condition to understand the cause of your dizziness and prescribe a tailored treatment plan.