Prolonged Bed Rest
Many things can cause persistent vertigo, and prolonged bed rest is one of them. When the brain senses that the body is tilted in a certain direction for too long, it initiates the vestibular reflex, making it want to move in that direction to put itself back into a normal position.
This happens when astronauts are in space for long periods. This is because our bodies aren’t used to being stationary for so long; it’s more common for us to be moving. Studies have shown that this happens to everyone on earth except those who are completely paralyzed. This means that people bedridden by illness or injury can experience vertigo symptoms if they’re not careful.
If someone lies down on their stomach or side while experiencing vertigo, they could trigger this reflex and make things worse, so patients should remember their unique circumstances when deciding how to take care of themselves during an episode.
