Does alcohol cause vertigo/vestibular problems?
If you’ve been following my posts, you probably already know that I’ve had two distinct instances of severe vertigo in my life. I know there are other people who have had more than that, and I definitely feel for those who have had vertigo more often than that.
I do have to put up with lesser vertigo on a daily basis however, which usually leads me to avoid substances that change the way you feel (alcohol or caffeine for example).
However, before the onset of both episodes of my acute vertigo, I was consuming a far higher than average amount of alcohol in the week preceding the attacks. So the obvious question is, is there a relationship between the alcohol and the vertigo?
The first time this happened, the vertigo hit on a Friday evening, around 8:00. I had met a friend for a drink, and after having one sip of a pint of beer, the vertigo started. I hadn’t drank anything else during the day, and all I had to drink was that sip of beer).
I had had quite a few drinks the night before however, but not enough to be feeling at all under the weather on the Friday. The vertigo started with an odd, dizzying sensation, and progressed into full-blown room-spinning vertigo within about 20 minutes.
The second time this happened, I had had some beers with friends in the evening, and went home to bed. When I awoke in the morning, I walked to the bathroom but felt odd again on the way there. On walking out of the bathroom, I had a tingling sensation all over my body (probably just anxiety) and the vertigo started on strong.
I’ve had the same or more to drink on other occasions with no vertiginous consequences. Has anyone else had a similar experience with consuming alcohol and vertigo? The similarity of these two experiences makes me doubt that’s just a coincidence.
21 Comments, Comment or Ping
Anthony
I had a similar experience to you. My bouts of dizziness seem to have started when I had a massive drinking session a few years ago. I felt hungover for a few days and then panicky, dizzy with lots of pressure in my head, at one stage it felt like the top of my head was going to explode with the pressure. Anyway ever since then if I have a bit of a binge then I can expect the same dizziness/vertigo for a week or so. Lately tho seems to be getting worse with even regular amounts (3/4 glasses of wine) of alcohol sending me into this horrible state.
Apr 11th, 2009
vincent
This is incredible.I too believe alchohol is giving me veritgo. The first bout I was layed out of work for a week with medication and had also consumed beer and a few shots of brandy two days prior.The suspicion lingered with me while I had less hard alchohol but still same amounts of beer.July 4th weekend i consumed alchohol and Bamm Monday morning i was awaken by the room spinning and the effects of vertigo.I plan to go alchohol free for awile the make sure there are no lasting effects.
Jul 7th, 2009
Jenna
Amazing — I have had a similar experience and am currently suffering the effects. I used to drink heavily in college, but at 25 I’ve slowed down. I rarely drink more than 2 in one night and never on a daily basis. But recently I had been having drinks most nights of the week and finally had four 7% home brews on an empty stomach. That evening and the next day I was vomiting and dizzy. I am not a puker, so it was alarming. The last 4 days since the incident I have been dizzy as can be, suffering headaches, head pressure, and light sensitivity. It’s all I can do to sit at my desk at work without falling out of my chair. I have no history of symptoms to this degree in all my drinking days, and certainly not for this length of time. I will never put myself through this again.
Aug 18th, 2009
Derrick
I had consumed 4 -6 shots of whisky last night and when I woke up this morning i thought i was loosing my head. Had this sharp spin as if my head was seperating from my body. Took a shower and almost fell due to dizziness. I tried to lie in bed but everytime i would turn in either direction there would come dizziness again. At last my drinking days is OVER!!!!
Sep 11th, 2009
Bristol
I have had vertigo for several years now but never realized that alcohol might be playing a part in the onset of smy ymptoms—until today. I had three cocktails while on a date with my husband last night and woke up with pretty severe vertigo this morning. I wonder…is it the alcohol itself that triggers vertigo or is it the dehydration from the alcohol that sets it off? No matter the cause, after reading the other posts, I will be staying away from alcohol from now on!
Sep 19th, 2009
Jim
Alcohol does effect the vestibular system (the balance organ in the ears – where most vertigo originates), it changes the viscosity of fluid within the inner ear, however the fluid outside the labyrinth is supplied straight from blood supply, and in inside it kind of filters through over a period time (hours). SO when you drink the fluid viscosity changes outside the labyrinth but not inside, which is why most people experience balance problems when drinking waaay before other coordination issues, and why people feel off balance the next day (as the fluid normalises outside the labyrinth, but is still altered inside the labyrinth)….. However, it wouldn’t be the cause of underlying vertigo, in that once the alcohol is gone from the system, you should be ok.
It’s totally possible to sustain a vestibular insult (ie viral) and recover over a period of time (the brain “adapts” – through a process called central compensation – sometimes this can happen within a few days, so some people wouldn’t even notice – sometimes it takes months/years), but then once you throw alcohol into the mix then the brain can’t cope and you get symptoms again (or worsening of existing symptoms).
It’s also worth baring in mind some conditions, which can cause vestibular injury and can be provoked by alcohol, namely endolympthatic hydrops (aka menieres disease) – where the body fails to regulate fluid in the inner ear (and alcohol could bring on an attack), and migraine variants (again, alchohol can induce migraine attacks – which in turn can cause vestibular damage!). Then of course there are viral causes, and it’s not a bad assumption to think that as these viruses can occur at anytime, and as most poeple like the odd drink then drinking as the virus is building up, could bring the effects of quicker (like getting a cold, then drinking makes you feel bad x10).
Sep 21st, 2009
gail schroder
ihave vertigo problem. i thought drinking would help my balance it seemed to help. the next day i felt pankic and disorented.i quit drinking for four days. my feeling of balance seemed worse. smoking made me feel worse
than having a drink. i guess it must all be a withdrawl.i cerntally dont like
how this feels. medication (xanax) relaxes me ,but doesnt take away the
balance that i so miss..thank-you all for your comments.it is helping me
understand what is happening….funny people that you around dont really
understand….i have seen doctors and only have a mild case,but they
say weebles wabble but they dont fall down. gail schroder,write me.
Oct 7th, 2009
ANNE
I AM NOT A HEAVY DRINKER AT ALL, IN FACT A FEW TIMES A YEAR AND THEN ONLY 2-3 DRINKS. IN THE LAST 3 YEARS I HAVE HAD 4 OCCASIONS WHERE I DRANK AND HAD A SEVERE VERTIGO ATTACK. THE FIRST 3 TIMES I WAS DRINKING SEAGRAMS AND COKE AND IT WAS ONLY 1 DRINK, THE LAST TIME IT WAS 2 HIENEKENS LIGHT, EXTREMELY EMBARRASSING
I SERIOUSLY WONDERED WHAT WAS WRONG WITH ME AND THOUGHT MAYBE I HAD DEVELOPED AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO ALCOHOL. I DID HAVE A BOUT OF VERTIGO THAT LASTED SEVERAL WEEKS DURING THIS TIME WHEN NO ALCOHOL HAD BEEN CONSUMED FOR SOME TIME SO IT WASN’T THE ALCOHOL THEN, BUT I REALIZED THAT THESE WERE THE SAME SYMPTONS ONLY WAY MORE INTENSE, COULDN’T EVEN LIFT MY HEAD, WHEN I DRANK EVEN A SMALL AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL
IT REALLY STINKS AS I DO LIKE TO HAVE A DRINK ON OCCASION WITH FRIENDS. DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THIS GOES AWAY, I AM SCARED TO DEATH TO HAVE A DRINK NOW
Nov 25th, 2009
monie ahmad
I have had vertigo since 1987 when the first and worst attack took place. However I could never find out the cause of the dizziness, sometimes very mild sometimes the roomspinning sagas. Lately I am almost convinced drinking triggers it off. Even one drink, not that I drink every day. I would rather give my very favourite Vodka with tonic just to protect myself from verigo
Dec 4th, 2009
Lynda Trautwein
I have been experiencing vertigo on and off for about a month. I used to be a heavy drinker, 2-3 mixed drinks in the evening. One evening I had two and a half martinis and the next morning I had vertigo so bad that I couldn’t lift my head off the pillow. Now, I can’t seem to even consume one beer or a glass of wine without experiencing vertigo the next day. I have made a New Year’s resolution to abstain from alcohol to see if there is any connection between vertigo and alcohol consumption.
Jan 2nd, 2010
steve
I have been experiencing vertigo for almost 2 years. Drank at least a 6 pack ever night for ten years. I quit for about 9 months ago and I’m still off balance, somewhat still dizzy. Will it ever get better? Is there a clinic that can help me? So far this website gave me a lot of answers. Thanks for the information!
Jan 21st, 2010
Denise
I just had my first diagnosis of Vertigo. Started on Monday this week with just feeling dizzy if I turn my head too fast. and then BAM Tuesday (yesterday) morning the room was spinning when I tried to get out of bed. I knew it was serious and Luckily the PA at the emergency room knew about vertigo and did the balancing exercises with me and it helped.
They were concerned about dehydration so they pumped two bags or normal saline in me (It is rare that I would be dehydrated as I always carry a water bottle with me). Today I almost felt back to normal, but with a mild headache creeping in very quietly. I did take an allergy pill last night that lasts 12 hours just in case there is fluid in my ears or something allergic like. I just moved to North carolina from way up north in Michigan and my ears seem to be sensitive to something here I discovered about 4 months ago. But that event was pain and pressure near the ear NOT this vertigo stuff. I wonder if there is a relationship to the allergies here in North Carolina. I hope to follow this blog and learn about this Vertigo. Thanks!
Jan 27th, 2010
PCDrinker
I’m having a vertigo attack right now with pretty strong nausea, strongest I’ve had ever (2nd time only though). However it came on strong and suddenly – within few seconds. I consumed only roughly 4cl of vodka hours ago.
Jan 27th, 2010
sue
I’ve suffered with this nasty illness now for just over 2 years and am wondering if I’ll ever be nomal again. I have a very stressful job and enjoy a couple of glasses of wine in the evening to unwind but by the morning I find that I am struggling to keep my balance, especially when I’m driving to work. The vertigo has caused anxiety and panic attacks and this is now starting to take over my life. I can’t do alot of things alone, like a normal person can cos all my confidence has been taken from me. It’s quite reassuring tho, in a strange way, to know I’m not alone.
Feb 1st, 2010
Lynda
I haven’t experienced vertigo since January 16, 2010. I stopped drinking on January 1, 2010 and I am beginning to feel like my old self. Before I stopped drinking, my B/P was 160/94 and my head felt like it was pounding all of the time. The drinking was exacerbating my blood pressure problem so I decided to quit. My doctor prescribed Zoloft for anxiety which has helped tremendously. The Zoloft helps me sleep at night and helps with panic attacks. The only side effects I have noticed is drowsiness and shakiness. I have a feeling that my blood pressure was the culprit that was causing the vertigo. I also found out that heavy drinking causes high cholesterol. So, in light of all of this, I think I’ll limit my drinking to special occasions.
Feb 3rd, 2010
debbie
Wow, it is amazing how many people out there have the same problem that I do. I have sufferd from vertigo bouts off and on for about 20 years. Sometimes I will have an attack that will last for only about an hour but I have a feeling like I am going to fall over. Not really spinning per say but I feel really heavy with a strong loss of balance and sometimes it brings on a panic attack as well. I have noticed lately that if I have a drink I start to get this feeling. Just tonight I had a small coconut rum and fruit juice and within minutes I was totally off balance and feeling dizzy. Does anyone else out there get that heavy feeling like they are going to fall over without the spinning?
I don”t drink much anymore but it is really not worth going through this awful feeling so I guess I will just have to say goodbye to the cocktails until I find out the facts.
Feb 12th, 2010
Alison
Interesting that my first experience with vertigo and dizziness occurred about an hour after I had two rather large glasses of white wine in about an hour and a half. That was nearly 3 weeks ago and I am still suffering from the off balance and dizzy feelings which come and go. Even had the pleasure of riding in an ambulance to the ER when I had an “attack” in the bank last Friday. I sure hope and pray this ends soon, it is so stressful and exhausting to have this and try to work and drive a teenager to her activities ( at least she has her learning permit so she is doing most of the driving ). And yes to the previous writer, Debbie, I do feel like I’m going to fall sometimes without the actual spinning. Like everyone else who has been writing in I will be giving up the alcohol as it doesn’t seem worth it. The reason I had the wine that night was because I was having a root canal the next day and was in pain. Coincidently, the tooth was the left upper and farthest back, which my endodonist said could be caousing the balance issue due to inflammation and pressing of the jaw on the ear canal. Has anyone else heard of this?
Feb 21st, 2010
Brett
This past spring was my final semester in college. I drink regularly as do most college students but rarely do I go overboard. However, on one occasion I neglected to eat dinner and proceeded to get black-out drunk with a buddy. Not surprisingly, I woke up the next morning with bruises, battle wounds, and a hazy recollection of the night before. Worst hangover of my life. Vomiting, dizziness, and severe dehydration. Naturally I assumed it was just a hangover, but every time I tried to get up and walk or changed position abruptly, the room would spin violently and I felt like I was going to pass out. My conditions were starting to scare me after it had been 24 hrs since my last drink, so I had a friend drive me to the ER. They took a CT scan, an EKG, and determined it was just severe alcohol withdrawal and dehydration. However, my vertigo-like symptoms continued to get worse so I went to my family doctor who told me I most likely had bi-positional vertigo. She proscribed Meclizine/Antivert which is essentially a higher dose type of dramamine. I was told the symptoms could come and go for a period of months. For the next two months, I experienced horrible bouts of vertigo at the worst timing. I once even fell down a flight of stairs in my house when an attack suddenly hit. Luckily I was still a student and could spend most of the day in bed (those were the days).
After about 3 months the vertigo disappeared. Then about 6 months after my initial vertigo diagnosis the symptoms came back, again after a night of heavy drinking. I woke up again with a hangover, kind of surprised because I didn’t consume THAT much compared to my typical tolerance. At first it felt just like a hangover but after several hours the typical hangover symptoms were gone and the vertigo was back. I went back to my doctor for more meds and it was gone within a week.
This past weekend I went to a birthday party and was of course drinking, but nothing over the top. WHAM! Vertigo is back but symptoms are mild, more of an annoyance and discomfort rather than a danger.
If anyone knows any hard medical evidence that this may be caused by alcohol or perhaps that its not Vertigo but something else, please let me know.
OH – another point of interest: After my second bout with vertigo I had some sort of ear problem in my right ear. The wall of my ear canal was swollen near-shut at times due to what felt like fluid building up underneath the skin. It hurt like hell and drove me nuts so I tried relentless to pop it to relieve the pressure. I was able to puncture it at one point at which time a clear liquid came out, but it continued to swell and cause me pain. My doctor looked at it and said my inner ear was fine and had no real answer for me. He gave me typical ear drops and I had to deal with it for a few weeks until it finally went away. Could this be related?
Feb 22nd, 2010
Sue
I get the dizzy feeling, like I will fall over, but not so much the spinning anymore from vertigo. It certainly gets worse with stress, tho.
Feb 26th, 2010
anon nymous
My first experience resulted from excessive champagne. It took a couple of days before I could walk safely. This recent bout (four years later) is my second experience and it came after consuming several beers and several drinks over the course of two days. I’m convinced that alcohol was a factor. Everything I read suggests an inner ear fluid imbalance brough about with the help of liquor. I’m not sure this “blog” is at all helpful, but my point is watch the booze – after all, it is a poison. Straight from Ozzy’s mouth: “Suicide is slow with liquor.”
Mar 7th, 2010
Paulina
Yes, Debbie, I get the feeling I am going to fall without the spinning. It just happened to me this morning while I was walking my dog. I have also had true vertigo with nausea, vomiting, etc. But lately after having a couple of glasses of wine I feel off balance and dizzy, like I’m going to fall. Sometimes it happens right after I drink, sometimes it’s the next day. It’s really scary. I am going to stop drinking and see if that makes a difference.
Mar 7th, 2010
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