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.
43 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
George Turner
A year or so ago I had BPPV, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, which is caused by having a little rock in the inner ear that triggers that cilia that sense fluid motions. I cleared that up by doing Epley maneuvers where you rotate your head through a series of motions to move the little rock somewhere less sensitive.
The BPPV came back a month or so ago, cleared up again, but I’m left with mild vertigo that comes and goes, possibly affected by alcohol and possibly not.
Anyway, it made me wonder whether unexpected vertigo almost automatically triggers anxiety or panic attacks, since one part of your brain starts screaming “OMG! You’re about to fall!” to another part of your brain.
Mar 23rd, 2010
MIchelle Lawton
I definitely think that vertigo is set off by alcohol. I had a really bad bout of it last December and was totally out of it for almost two weeks. It took about 3 months for symptoms to completely go away. So thinking that I was better I started drinking again. This week I was on vacation and drinking more than normal . I had about 3 vodka drinks on Friday night and 4 glasses of wine the next night and BAM the next morning the room was spinning when I turned my head to the left and my head felt like I was underwater all day. I saw and ear, nose , and throat doctor and he told me all you can do is the exercises. They seem to help, but it sucks to do them because you basically make yourself dizzy until your body adapts. I Definitely think there is an alcohol link. I have to say, after this weekend my drinking days are over..I don’t want to do anything that might cause it.
Apr 20th, 2010
Debra
Hi. I am new to this website. I have had two bouts of vertigo within the past few years. Both have landed me in the hospital for 3-4 days. The room spins so bad that all I can do is lie flat. If I raise my head even slightly the room is spinning. I am going tomorrow for an ENG test. The strange thing is since this last episode which was about two weeks ago I have had a lingering feeling when I move my head (not a strong dizziness but almost like I am on a boat and my head feels very fuzzy). I had the cat scan, mri, etc and was told it is just vertigo. I cannot take the antivert – it gives me horrible headaches. This feeling is so uncomfortable. I have to work and function as a mother and it is really hard to do feeling like this all the time. I hope after I have this test tomorrow that they can teach me how to make this feeling go away by teaching me some exercises. Thanks for listening. Debbie
May 11th, 2010
Kate
I’ve had several experiences with vertigo following alcohol consumption. After consuming 1/2 glass of wine in the evening, I experience mild vertigo the next day.
May 16th, 2010
Mark
Yes, I agree vertigo does have a relationship with alcohol but not consistently. I have been a sufferer of vertigo for 10 years and also a social drinker for longer then that period. Alcohol does not always provoke vertigo for me but it has more often in the last two years.I find standing on my head and lying on my bed with my head tilted over the side seem to relieve the condition a bit.Can anyone that has vertigo claim Alcohol does not affect vertigo ?? cheers.
May 21st, 2010
Ann
Hello
The first time I had vertigo was after binge drinking on wine back in 2005, it was a very frightening experience as I had no idea what was happening to me. I had vertigo on and off usually after binge drinking but it got worse in 2008 when I started taking the pill. I then took betahistine for 1.5 years and had tests for menieres. The ENT consultant said that it was not menieres and so I was back to square one. I was still having attacks – usually every month. I thought that it might be linked to the pill so stopped taking the pill and stopped taking betahistine and all of a sudden my attacks of vertigo stopped! I was convinced it was the pill (but this didnt explain my previous vertigo attacks)….. then last sunday I was spinning. I have been spinning on and off for a week now, so I went back to the GP who prescribed cyclizine, oh my god I felt like a zombie! I tripped over my foot (like you do
and didnt feel the pain until a couple of mins later as I was so doped up! So went back to the GP who prescribed something different – still got bad side effects….It was a shock as I was convinced that I had solved the problem but as I have been thinking it must have been my drinking session the friday night that set off my spinning. Today I have been looking at the vertigo websites and it really makes perfect sense. I think that my body just cannot cope with alcohol….. so I need to change my attitude towards alcohol which is a bit crap as I enjoy my wine but – vertigo or no vertigo – I know which I prefer! So its goodbye to the alcohol and I will wait and see if this is the cause of my vertigo.
May 23rd, 2010
Jason
Alcohol definitely can cause vertigo problems but not necessarily all the time. They call it ‘getting tipsy’ for a reason but even when the alcohol is out of your system the tipsy feeling may still linger. Its almost as if your body doesn’t know whats normal. Almost 3 years ago i was drinking at a bon fire and got this weird sensation all over my body and got pretty dizzy. At the time i was drinking heavily for months. I woke up the next day with a hang-over and it was as if my head was in a fish bowl or i was looking through a fish lens. Ever since then i have been living with this ‘head in a fishbowl’ ‘disconnected’ feeling. I have continued to drink heavily since( for 3 years), since alcohol gives me a reason to feel and see the way i do. I continued to get multiple anxiety attacks and vertigo while riding the bus or train. Bright lights, crowded places, and noise would also trigger the vertigo and anxiety. I got checked for cancer, brain tumors, everything.. to find out at the time i was a healthy 22 year old. 2 years later it hasn’t gone away. finally when i was hospitalized the night before mothers day for drinking an excessive amount over a period of 16 hours, i have decided to quit drinking. Its been three weeks only and the vision problem is still there. Anxiety has gone down thanks to medicine and haven’t experienced vertigo. After reading every ones post im hoping that if i hold out from alcohol and cigarettes for long enough i can finally go back to ‘normal’. I recently graduated college with an engineering degree and cant imagine being in an intense, high stress-level environment with my condition everyday. your posts have been a lot of help. i finally dont feel alone anymore. Every one that i have told doesn’t take me seriously nor do they no how much it affects me. Every night before i go to sleep i pray that i will wake up like i used to for the first 21 years of my life. I hope that day comes soon. Thanks you guys.
May 28th, 2010
Kim
I’ve had BPPV for about 7 years now and have pretty much adapted to what I can and cannot do in order to avoid triggering my vertigo and dizzy spells. I’ve gotten really good at dealing with being dizzy and at some point along the way my brain seems to have learned to compensate for it.
However, in the past 6 months or so, several times I’ve had extremely intense, almost sharp/sudden, vertigo that lasted for a split second, but so severe I almost felt like I was blacking out. Every time this happened I was just sitting perfectly still with my head in an upright position (so I know it wasn’t my typical BPPV). Every time its happened I end up feeling nausea, increased heart rate (prob from anxiety) and an overall yucky feeling. I also find it hard to think clearly during and for some time after. At least two of these times (when it was the worst) I know for sure I had one or two drinks. Once was two woodchuck hard ciders and just last night I had half of a beer. The experience was so awful and intense and out of the blue I figured there had to be something triggering it. I’m really starting to think alcohol is the culprit.
Jun 1st, 2010
caroline
hi everyone and thank you for posting all yr symptoms and comments . i have been suffering dizzyness for over 16 years with daily changes , sometimes i feel like when i walk im going to black out and then i shake so bad i cant walk , which then brings on a panic anxiety attack and the pulpertations of the heart , but i to am a daily drinker and wondering if this is making it worse . the only reason ive been drinking is because it calms down the panick attacks and IF im really dizzy it takes it away { untill the next morning } this morning i had to crawl on my knees to get to the loo thats how dizzy i am and its not nice so thank you everyone im going to slowly come off the drink and see if this changes my life for the better :-}
Jun 8th, 2010
Scott
I’m wishing all of you the best of luck in quitting alcohol and\or overcoming your vertigo, as I am trying to do as well. Regardless if it is the cause of your vertigo or panic attacks, it is a horrible thing to put in your body on a daily basis. I have been having the same symptoms as most of you have stated above for at least the last five years. Sadly, for me, I have been a heavy beer drinker (and I do mean heavy), almost every night for around fifteen years now and I do see it and feel it as a very serious problem I have to do something about. I experience vertigo almost all the time, when I; get outside to cut the lawn, try to sit and eat at a loud or busy restaurant, am in the middle of a ‘Big Box’ store and driving on any road where I cannot pull over to the side quickly and park. In the past, I have stopped drinking for 3 or 4 days and I would start to feel a little better, then I went right back to drinking. I can only hope this time I can make a change for the better and kick alcohol out of my life for good and maybe that along with eating better and exercise I will be able to conquer my vertigo\anxiety issues.
Best wishes,
Scott
Jun 15th, 2010
Tony
G’day all, i have had some type of vertigo since I was about 7 years old. I would simply wake up one morning and be so dizzy i couldnt move my head of the pillow. This would last for roughly 24 hours, and then pretty much be completley gone. They would come on without warning. I had these untill i was 18 – 19, at which time I thought I had grown out of it……but its also the time i started to be able to drink. I was not a heavy drinker, but if i drank a lot then i would get a hangover…..being new to hangovers i thought that everyone got really really really dizzy which is why you would throw up with a hangover……but i now seem to think its the vertigo that i get with the hangovers. I am now 33 years old, and i would say i drink a bit, but not excessive. If i drink too much i get a hangover and the vertigo where i cant move for about 16 – 20 hours. Recently i have been feeing dizzy quite a bit, but i also have a slight cold. I have been to Doctors in the past about my dizzyness and they just tell me its an inner year infection and you will get over it. Since i got the dizzy spells when I was a kid, i cant make the link between alcohol and the vertigo…..except for the dehydration part of it. Could there be a link with alcohol/dehydration and vertigo?
Jun 22nd, 2010
Kristina
WOW — sounds like there are people like me out there! I have been experience chronic vertigo for 3 years. After SEVERAL doctors, I finally saw a neurologist who said I suffer from MIGRAINES, but do not get the headaches associated with it. There is a fancy name which escapes me – but “migraine” does not mean “headache”. He put me now Topamax about 10 months ago. I am virtually vertigo free. I was having several attacks a month before. I do not drink alcohol nor consumme caffeine, which also appears to help. A small price to pay not to have an attack.
Jul 1st, 2010
Ralph
This string of emails has been enlightening. I have always wondered about a connection between alcohol and my vertigo episodes, but, am now, having read this commentary, becoming convinced that there is. Mine started about two years ago, and used to come about every three months. Since these episodes would come only every three months, it was easy to not make the connection to alcohol use since it appeared the episodes would come regardless what alcohol I consumed or didn;t consume. However, the frequency of the episodes has increased in the past 6 months. My latest theory is that the combination of alcohol, along with dehydration, is bringing this on. One of my absolutely worst habits is to stop by the local pub after my work out. Most doctors (actually anyone with an ounce of common sense) will tell you that beer is a poor substitute for water when dehydrated. This practice ends today.
One other person (Jim?) mentioned something about viruses. One other pattern that I have had is that my episodes have usually (perhaps everytime) coincided with colds or allergies. Anyone with any further information on that, plse advise.
It would be extremely helpful if the medical community had something more definitive on this. I don;t know what everyone elses experience has been on this, but, I’ve kind of gotten the notion they have given up on finding a cure. While some of the literature says avoid caffeine and salt, none of the doctors I’ve had have asked about my alcohol use.
Jul 9th, 2010
Laurie
I am currently having a bout of vertigo. Went out drinking heavily Saturday night and when I woke up Sunday morning, although I really didn’t feel hungover, I immediately recognized the symptoms of my objective vertigo. My room began to swing violently, so much so that I had to grasp the sides of the bed. Later yesterday afternoon, I was putting in some tent posts (bending over is a big ‘no-no’) and I fell to the ground as I felt like I was thrown down. Today, I am trying to work, but feel like my head is compressed from the sides. For the last 6 months I have also had horrible headaches. Some to the point of sharp pains in a specific side area. My jaw is not aligned due to TMJ and my neck vertebrae have been diagnosed as herniated. Really fun at the rip old age of 50. When I have gone to the doctor in the past, they give me Meclazine. Doesn’t really touch it. Lately I’ve just been bearing with it, but I hate how suddenly you can lose your balance. It’s a very hard thing to describe to others, who simply think you’re ‘dizzy’.
Jul 12th, 2010
Dave
I have been consuming a fair amount of Scotch over a period of four years and I experienced a severe attack of vertigo 10 months ago which required an ambulance ride to the ER. The attack began with an odd, unsafe feeling and then escalated to profuse perspiring and then the onset of vertigo which turned everything on it’s side. I could not move without assistance and I began vomiting immediately. I had a second attack a few days ago which was the same as the last one and upon re-thinking my actions prior to the attacks, I can see that I had been consuming high amounts of alcohol a day or so earlier. The feeling is terrifying and I sincerely hope that it’s the alcohol that is the cause. I am finished with alcohol now cause or no cause. I guess it takes something like this to get your attention about the perils of alcohol.
Jul 13th, 2010
Tony
There is definately a link between alcohol and dizziness. I have been experiencing vertigo after heavy drinking. At first it lasted for months, second time weeks. But now I feel dizzy after one drink and it lasts for days. Doctors cannot find anything wrong. This sucks. The answer is to stop drinking.
Jul 14th, 2010
STEVEN
Wow…I am SOOO glad I found this thread. Been suffering with vertigo/light sensitivity for the past five weeks…and it’s been terrible. Although I am o.k. on some days, it seems that at least four days out of the week are spent an anxious, sweaty mess. I work at a hardware store with big flourescent lights, and that seems to trigger the dizziness and overwhelming awkwardness that follows when I can’t answer something as simple as, “Where’s the duct tape?” The vertigo and the anxiety seem to work in tandem: the dizzy spell will make me nervous, which gives me anxiety, which makes me more dizzy, which causes more anxiety…etc.
It all started about six weeks ago. Our band was playing in San Francisco and I had consumed a pretty large amount of beer and an equally disproportionate amount of water on that particular night. I usually bring some sort of bottle to stay hydrated along on our tours and didn’t this time. Bad idea. Well, the following morning it was more than a hangover…I felt like my head was being smashed in a vice…and I couldn’t see or focus on any one object. We had a show that night…and what an embarassing ordeal…instead of being onstage at the right time to play our set…I was WANDERING AROUND THE STREET…a confused, dizzy mess. I even had to sit down in the middle of our set due to the noise and flashing lights.
Anyway, I thought right away in was the alcohol. I abstained for a few days, but my wife and I like to enjoy a beer every once in a while…and after a beer or glass of wine, I start to feel like garbage again. After a doctor’s appointment yesterday, he prescribed a generic dramamine and told me to stay away from caffiene and alcohol. Both of these things were never real staples in my life until a few years ago…but I feel that through some over-indulgence I’ve probably screwed myself for good. I am committing to no caffeine and alcohol for as long as it takes to feel better…then plan on STICKING WITH IT.
Will let you know how it goes,
S
Jul 29th, 2010
Mark
I have just returned from a 3 week holiday in the Philippines.Having been a Vertigo sufferer for years and wary of the link with alcohol it may have I was reluctant to drink, however once there mersed in the heat and activities I had my first beer in months. The next day there were NO vertigo effects. I carried on drinking, beer only, and downing up to about 8 bottles on one night. The next day I did have a hangover with a bad headache but absolutely NO vertigo. The thing I am doing differently now is every morning when I wake up I drink at least 600ml of water and make sure I drink plenty of water throughout the day. I have been doing this for the last 2 months so it is now a healthy habit. I wonder if there is a link between vertigo and dehydration. can anyone comment on this???
… DRINK WATER ON EMPTY STOMACH
It is popular in Japan today to drink water immediately after waking up every morning. Furthermore, scientific tests have proven a its value. We publish below a description of use of water for our readers. For old and serious diseases as well as modern illnesses the water treatment had been found successful by a Japanese med ical society as a 100% cure for the following diseases:
Headache, body ache, heart system, arthritis, fast heart beat, epilepsy, excess fatness, bronchitis asthma, TB, meningitis, kidney and urine diseases, vomiting, ga str itis, diarrhea, piles, diabetes, constipation, all eye diseases, womb, cancer and ear nose and throat diseases.
METHOD OF TREATMENT
1. As you wake up in the morning before brushing teeth , drink 4 x 160ml glasses of water …..interesting
2. Brush and clean the mouth but do not eat or drink anything for 45 minutes
3. After 45 minutes you may eat and drink as normal.
4. After 15 minutes of breakfast, lunch and dinner do not eat or drink anything for 2 hours
5. Those who are old or sick and are unable to drink 4 glasses of water at the beginning may commence by taking little water and gradually increase it to 4 glasses per day.
6. The above method of treatment will cure diseases of the sick and others can enjoy a healthy life.
Aug 3rd, 2010
Tim
I am a 23 year old male who has had vertigo for about 10 years. Throughout my early teens I would usually only experience vertigo spells when I was sick with the flu. Then in college I got vertigo more often, but it would never last more than a few hours. Recently I’ve been getting vertigo from drinking alcohol. I have been drinking alcohol for years and have never experienced vertigo after drinking alcohol until now. Even one beer or so will cause me to have vertigo for several days. Usually, when I had vertigo attacks I felt like the room was spinning, but with alcohol I feel more like I’m off-balance, as well as feeling as if the room is spinning. I think that stress, high anxiety, waking up too quickly and sleeping in an awkward position have caused me to have vertigo in the past. Do other people feel the same way?
Aug 9th, 2010
Dips Naik
OMG!!! I have been scared to the maximum in recent times and having seen this I feel better. After 7 weeks of suffering, self inflicted, today was the worst day …
I was driving back from work and started suffering from the dreaded dizziness quickly followed by a mass panic attack and thought I was having a heart attack. I pulled over, calmed down, proceeded to drive again and voila it happened again. Finally got home, and thought I was going to die!! Now my heart rate has calmed down, but I have had this constant thumping feeling in my head and dizziness now and again for the past 7 weeks after 2.5 week drinking bender in LA and then Cancun.
I suffered it on the second week for the first time and was so scared but had a doctor in the stag party. He goes its probably caused by excessive drinking, lack of sleep and dehydration… tick in all boxes
Anyway my head hasn’t been right since then and suffer dizziness and increased heart beat now and again. It is no surprise also that this weekend gone I got quite wasted on the Sunday followed by two nights lack of sleep then followed by this situation today.
I haven’t been to the doctor yet, but I have booked in first thing tomorrow. Doesn’t help I live in another country
Anyway, since these 7 weeks, I have suffered vertigo seriously 3 times – these all followed a big night out and lack of sleep (add in dehydration)
I am quitting drinking from today. Also I suggest drinking plenty of water everyday, at least 3L to stop dehydration/
Fingers crossed I will return to normal when I can start drinking my beloved whiskly albeit moderatly.
Aug 10th, 2010
Steven W.
Dear Tim posted 8-9-10,
The symptoms you are describing are a carbon copy of I went though, I’m in my late 30’s and it just gets worse every year. Your body is telling you something, I just wish I would have listened to mine 15 years ago. Now I’ve taken most peoples advice on this site and just leave alcohol alone. I hope this post helps you and many others. Good luck!
Aug 12th, 2010
patti
I had a deep tissue massage for over an hour and the middle of the night brought on vertigo,,, I went to the audiologist and she did the epley maneuver and after a few days I started to feel better. But then had a glass and a half of white wine one evening when I thought I was better and the next day the whole thing started again. Now I feel dizzy like I did the week before. I am assuming that drinking triggered the attack but I don’t know why.
Aug 16th, 2010
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