Dear Dr. Hibberd: Whenever I lay down flat I feel dizzy. I have to sleep with two pillows to stop this sensation. Do you know what causes this?

Answer:
You might be suffering from what is medically known as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). This is a common cause of dizziness, and it is triggered by lying down flat, or rolling over in the bed. In older people, the most common cause is degeneration of the vestibular system of the inner ear. BPPV becomes much more common with advancing age. It is also associated with migraines. Sometimes, this happens after dental surgery, but BPPV can also happen without any known causes. Usually these dizziness symptoms subside on their own within two months without any active treatment. You have been doing the right thing by using two pillows at night. You could also, in the mornings when you wake up, get up slowly, sit on the edge of the bed for a minute before getting off the bed. Avoid bending down to pick up things, and extending the head, such as to get something out of a cabinet.