# I'm sick! I need to lie down! **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 30, 2004, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-i-need-to-lie-down/237318 "2004-03-30T15:35:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sassafras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@Sassafras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sassafras)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2004, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-i-need-to-lie-down/237318/1 "2004-03-30T15:35:25Z")
After spending most of the past Sunday with a horrid headache and vomiting, I got to wondering why we need to lie down when we are ill, and why it makes us feel better. I felt bad flat on my back, but felt TERRIBLE when I sat up. Howcum? ---
**Author:** ![yellowcakesolid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/cdc98d/32.png) [@yellowcakesolid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowcakesolid)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2004, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-i-need-to-lie-down/237318/2 "2004-03-30T15:52:32Z")
Pure speculation here. In Pinker’s How the Mind Works, the author points out that gravity is detected by some liquid in the ear. When this gravity detection system goes haywire, like in motion sickness, Pinker suggests that the body feels it’s being poisoned. When the body feels it is being poisoned, it wants to throw up and get rid of everything. So, I’m wondering if you have a massive ear infection that is throwing your equilibrium out of whack. ---
**Author:** ![Sassafras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@Sassafras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sassafras)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2004, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-i-need-to-lie-down/237318/3 "2004-03-30T15:55:44Z")
I wasn’t wondering about me in particular, but in general - why , when we are sick, do we feel better when prone? (as for me - it was a migraine which always makes me throw up) ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2004, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-i-need-to-lie-down/237318/4 "2004-03-30T16:15:16Z")
I never really thought about it but yes gravity would be one issue. Although it is a relatively weak force (as oppossed to say magnatism(sp?)) you don’t realize how easy it is for your body to overcome it. But when you are sick you body is weaker and the stress is greater. Also your balance has a lot to do with it. I have Menier’s Disease which is a balance disorder. Your ears control your balance. But much of my balance is lost and is compensated for via my eyes. In fact we tested this and when I am in a completely dark room it becomes very hard for me to stand up without swaying or falling. But in light I have no issues. So I would say it’s a combination of the ability to rebalance yourself and the lessening of the effect of gravity. Plus don’t forget the blood would flow easier into your head. ---
**Author:** ![daffyduck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ec9cab/32.png) [@daffyduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/daffyduck)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2004, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-i-need-to-lie-down/237318/5 "2004-03-30T16:24:38Z")
Lying down puts the least amount of stress on the body. Blood pressure usually drops slightly as the heart no longer has to work against gravity to get blood to the head and also you aren’t using your muscles to maintain your position so the body needs and uses less energy when prone. ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2004, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-i-need-to-lie-down/237318/6 "2004-03-30T17:13:16Z")
I think it might be because it’s much easier to remain absolutely still when lying down. If you’re sitting up, even if you think you’re still, you’re still making imperceptible movements to maintain the stillness. Or, at least, that’s my experience (especially with migraines when any samll movement of my head at all will make me hurl…).