What should you know about vertigo at night?

Rolling over, looking up, or getting out of bed changes the position of the head and can trigger Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. Waking in a dark room can also make balance harder because vision gives the brain less information. Ear pressure, Meniere's Disease, Middle Ear Infection, migraine, medicines, dehydration, and anxiety may contribute to dizziness, but they have different patterns. Note whether the room spins, how long each spell lasts, which movement starts it, and whether nausea, ringing, hearing change, headache, or ear pain occurs. That detail helps a clinician separate positional vertigo from other causes.

When spinning starts, stay still and sit or lie down until it eases. Turn on a light, keep a phone nearby, and use support before standing. Rise in stages: sit on the bed, pause, then stand slowly. Clear loose rugs and obstacles from the route to the bathroom, and avoid driving while symptoms continue. Drink normally if you can, but do not force fluids if vomiting. Keep a brief symptom note. A clinician can advise whether an Epley Manoeuvre is suitable; avoid copying manoeuvres if you have neck or back problems or have not been assessed.

Call emergency services for vertigo with facial drooping, one-sided weakness or numbness, trouble speaking, fainting, new severe headache, chest pain, or inability to walk. Seek urgent assessment for repeated vomiting, sudden hearing loss, severe ear pain, fever with marked dizziness, or symptoms after a head injury. Arrange a routine appointment when episodes keep returning, disturb sleep, cause falls, or occur with ringing or hearing changes. Do not assume nighttime timing makes a dangerous cause unlikely.

Ask what the likely trigger is, whether your ears and balance need examination, and whether a positional treatment is appropriate. Tell the clinician which side you turned toward, whether sitting up caused symptoms, the duration of each spell, your medicines, and any headache, hearing, or neurological changes.