When there’s too much endolymph in your inner ear, those signals become scrambled so your brain can’t manage your sense of balance and hearing. Some studies27 have found a connection between obstructive sleep apnea and vertigo. This connection28 may be due to lower oxygen levels in the brain during sleep or breathing issues causing the pressure to change in the inner ear.
Individuals suffering from Ménière’s disease often struggle with symptoms such as vertigo, dizziness, and nausea. These symptoms can be exacerbated during sleep, making it crucial to find the best sleeping position to minimize discomfort and promote better rest.
Side Sleeping
One of the recommended sleeping positions for individuals with Ménière’s disease is side sleeping. This position helps keep the head elevated, which can help reduce the intensity of vertigo episodes during the night. Additionally, side sleeping promotes proper alignment of the spine, which can prevent neck and back pain commonly experienced by those with Ménière’s disease.
Back Sleeping
Another suitable sleeping position for Ménière’s disease sufferers is back sleeping. This position allows for optimal support of the head and neck, reducing the risk of experiencing vertigo or dizziness while sleeping. Back sleeping also helps maintain proper spinal alignment, preventing additional strain on the neck and back.
FAQs
He created a stop-motion method for photographing sleep positions throughout the night without waking a patient. This system, based on the Super-8 camera, unleashed a torrent of research on how people sleep. There’s not much research to indicate one “best” position for sleeping, Singh explains. Even sleeping on your belly, which can sometimes twist the neck unnaturally, is still normal. We typically turn over and change positions about times in our sleep without remembering, Singh says.
What is the best sleeping position for Ménière’s disease?
Back sleeping is also helpful for chronic neck pain because it keeps the spine in alignment. Make sure you have a comfortable pillow that keeps your spine in its natural s-shape. But even the “best” pillow is subjective – everyone has a preference.
It causes unpredictable attacks of vertigo and tinnitus that can interfere with daily activities. While there’s no cure for Meniere’s disease, most people are able to manage attacks with medication and by avoiding triggers. In the U.S., if you are at risk of getting sudden vertigo attacks, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends you avoid driving until your symptoms are gone or under control. Most people with Meniere’s disease have enough warning of a vertigo attack that they can avoid driving when they aren’t feeling well. Attacks of dizziness may come on suddenly or after a short period of tinnitus or muffled hearing. Some people will have single attacks of dizziness separated by long periods of time.
- Side sleeping and back sleeping are considered the best sleeping positions for individuals with Ménière’s disease.
See how your sleep habits and environment measure up and gauge how adjusting behavior can improve sleep quality. The question isn’t part of a party game, though it might sound like it. Those colorful monikers are used to describe the seemingly limitless ways in which our bodies arrange themselves while sleeping. “If they are in pain, the body will turn them around to find a comfortable position,” he says.
How can sleeping position impact Ménière’s disease symptoms?
- The right sleeping position can help reduce the intensity of vertigo episodes and promote better rest for those with Ménière’s disease.
By choosing the appropriate sleeping position, individuals with Ménière’s disease can improve their quality of sleep and reduce the frequency and severity of their symptoms. It is essential to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the most suitable sleeping position based on individual needs and preferences.
