One thing I see often, especially in older adults, is that when people lose their spouse or have some kind of tragedy in their life, they may begin to turn to drinking alcohol for relief from the feelings that they are experiencing.
The consumption of alcohol may be related to dizziness, vertigo, balance problems and falls in multiple ways.
Alcohol and medication very substantially interact with each other.
This combination of medication and alcohol can cause dizziness, vertigo and balance problems for a lot of people.
Sometimes people come to me because they think they have a balance problem, and it turns out that what they really have is an alcohol drinking issue. This is an issue that may need to be addressed to reduce the dizziness, vertigo or balance impairment that one is feeling in relation to alcohol causing vertigo.
Even if you are not on any medications, alcohol can still be a strong influence on dizziness and vertigo.
Alcohol is also a great way to artificially introduce vertigo within yourself, with a hangover, because it is such a strong dehydrator. Alcohol can cause vertigo or it can actually give you an artificial experience of vertigo if you are not someone who normally has it.
Overall, I would encourage you to think about if your balance issues or your dizziness correlate with alcohol consumption.
If you already have a vestibular problem, drinking alcohol may increase your symptom intensity and increase your risk of falling.
If you are experiencing dizziness, vertigo or balance problems, and you do not believe that it is related to alcohol consumption, it is important to see a vestibular expert to assess the root cause(s) of your dizziness or vertigo.
Dizziness and vertigo can cause falls, which can cause serious injury and have a substantial impact on your life.
It is important to address alcohol consumption since alcohol can cause dizziness, vertigo, balance problems and falls. If this is something that affects you, it is best to reduce your alcohol intake which will ultimately reduce the potential impact that dizziness and vertigo can have on your life, right now and in the future.
It is also a good idea to look for other healthy coping strategies besides alcohol to reduce your life stress like a support group and individual counseling.
Disclaimer
This blog is provided for informational purposes only. The content and any comments by Dr. Kim Bell, DPT are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The details of any case mentioned in this post represent a typical patient that Dr. Bell might see and do not describe the circumstances of a specific individual.
Thank you …..that is me……I plan to address it. …
That’s great! I am glad you plan to address it.
I wish you all the best on your journey.
Sincerely,
Kim Bell, DPT
So drank this pass Friday, and know it’s been a week but I still feel that my equilibrium is off . I look @ my phone screen while on surfing the wed and I see my phone and it seems like it’s tilting to the right.
Hi Louis,
This article may be helpful to learn about what treatments might improve that tilting feeling.
This blog may help you find a vestibular physical therapist who can assess you for root cause.
This blog has some more details that might help.
I hope that helps!
For many years, I didn’t know where this lightheadedness was coming from. If I don’t drink alcohol, it seems to disappear completely. The day after I drink, I have light-headedness and imbalance. I also have pre-existing ear issues, and that probably exacerbates it.
I had a vertigo attack while drinking, no after morning hangover. It hit me fast and I slept 12 hours. First time.
My wife is 56 and very healthy. She has this dizziness going on for about a month now. She went to a ear nose and throat doctor. We found nothing wrong, sent her for an MRI, which also found nothing wrong. She has stopped taking her sleep medication to see if that helps. That doesn’t seem to help. She does drink a large bottle of wine daily. She has this wine from morning until bed time. She doesn’t get intoxicated. She has been drinking for years. Could this Possibly to be the cause that started causing dizziness?
Hi Lanny,
Yes, alcohol can cause dizziness and vertigo.
This article has some education on this topic.
I cannot say if this is the cause of your wife’s vertigo without conducting a comprehensive analysis, but you can think back to the timing correlation between the onset of her dizziness and the start of any new medications that may interact with alcohol.
As she gets older, the alcohol may increase her risk of falling as well.
Best wishes to you both,
Kim Bell, DPT
Hi, my name is Iddi L. from Tanzania
The morning after heavy drinking I feel almost zero hang over
8 hours later I start to feel very bad as if am getting second phase of hangover which now very strong plus dizziness and it could stay for up to 8 hours
What could this be
Hi Iddi,
This could be what we call a “delayed onset hangover.”
The hangover period after drinking can last up to 72 hours.
Three strategies to reduce a hangover include:
-taking a nap the next day or going to bed early the next night
-drinking lots of water or other fluid to rehydrate
-eating an easily digestible meal to prevent low blood sugar
To learn more, click here.
I have been dizzy for 3 years now and it is slowly getting a bit worse. I rarely drink alcohol but when I do drink I get very dizzy after one drink. My dizziness has been there every single day and has not gone away. I’ve seen a ENT, neurologist, I’ve done a CT and MRI and I have also gone to physical therapy but no one can diagnosis me. All results come back normal. My only symptoms is pressure around the eyes and eyebrows and dizziness. I have also seen a eye doctor two different times.
Hi Jc,
I am sorry to hear this!
I suggest you look for a specialized Neuro-Optometry provider using the Doctor Locator Tool at COVD.org.
That might be a good next step.
I hope you feel better soon!
Hi JC. Have you found a cause and/or treatment for your dizziness? I have the exact same thing for 3 years now (I usually say its lightheadedness), and all tests are normal. I’ve had an MRI, carotid artery testing, eye exams, I’ve seen 2 ENTs, 2 neurologists, 1 neuropsychologist, cardiologist, chiropractor, 3 different primary MDs, tried migraine meds which were no help. Its getting to be very debilitating. My church and family continue to pray and I continue to pray and search for answers.
Hi Kimi,
I received your direct email through my website contact form and I sent you a personal reply.
If you have not received it yet, please check your spam or junk folder.
When I drink even one beer I am lightheaded for weeks, even for months.
It depends on alcohol amount you consume.
Lightheadedness is worse if you go shopping – there is a lot of lights, so this is the reason why it is worse.
I am sober now for 10 years and it’s super. No problems…
If you are dizzy, I think you should never drink alcohol.
I have horrible bouts with vertigo, I get dizzy and then I have to rush to the bathroom because I get very ill vomiting and diarrhea for about three hours. I am a diabetic and I take insulin. I also have been diagnosed with gas in my bladder, don’t know if this contributes to it or not. I was told by my ENT that I should avoid salt and so he had me on a diuretic, it helps somewhat but I still get horrible at Vertigo attacks. I was just reading your article on the combination of your gut and Vertigo and I seem to think that’s a possibility . Would love and appreciate any further information you could give me that would be helpful. Thank you
Hi Paula,
This sounds pretty complicated! I am sure there are many ways you can go with investigating the root cause of these attacks.
My first thought is that any onset of vertigo with diarrhea and vomiting that last for three hours generally sounds like a vestibular migraine.
You may want to consult with a Neurologist or other migraine specialist in your area for an evaluation for vestibular migraines.
Vestibular migraines can definitely be triggered by the gut.
I hope that helps!
I have been sober 5 years and just recently experienced severe vertigo. It was a mixture of actual calcium deposits AND damage to my cerebellum. I was so happy for the release of the calcium deposits, that I forgot to ask if the damage would continue to affect me. I’m not tripping all over the place, but still can’t drive.
Hi Kim, I woke up one morning feeling dizzy. I had been drinking alcohol rather excessively for several weeks. It felt different than my ordinary hangover so I didn’t give it much thought and figured it would fade away. So I continued with my excessive drinking.
Finally I became concerned and stopped drinking.
After about a week I felt much improved so I went out for a night of more drinking. The next day it came back so I stopped drinking again. Its been about a week now and I have only slight improvement.
I have no other adverse symptoms such as headache or nausea. How long will the current dizziness last?
Hi Sal,
I suggest for you to find a vestibular provider in your area to evaluate your dizziness. You can use this article.
I have also emailed you directly with some further thoughts and specific resources.
I hope you feel better soon!
Sincerely,
Kim Bell, DPT
Hello Kim,
I’m 17 years old and I’ve been an severe alcoholic for a year and a half now and I finally decided to quit drinking. It’s been two weeks without any alcohol and I’m having trouble walking and sleeping I’m scared this may be brain damage or vertigo and I just want to live a normal life again.
Hi Charles,
When people with severe alcoholism stop drinking, they usually go through a detox.
I suggest for you to notify your pediatrician or primary care doctor of what you are going through, in case you need medical supervision right now.
I am glad that you have decided to quit drinking. I suggest that you seek professional help to determine the reason why alcohol took over your life in the first place and what else may be happening with you.
You can find resources at this website or by calling this number 1-800-662-4357. You can call anytime because they are available to help you everyday, 24 hours per day.
You can live a normal life again, but I believe you may need a team of professionals to help you.
Talking to your doctor and calling that number I shared are good next steps for you.
Best wishes,
Kim Bell, DPT
Hi Charles,
One more thing, I have suffered through my fair share of dark times and destructive behaviors in my younger years as well.
The most important thing that I have found is to tend to the needs of my soul by developing a personal relationship with the Living God, the Risen Savior Jesus Christ.
If you do not have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, I suggest you look into His life and the significance of His death on the cross.
This is not the same thing as being religious, so I caution you not to confuse those two things.
I did not learn about what Jesus did for us on the cross until I was in my late 30’s and I gave my life to Him the very next day.
You can find a Christian Church near you by searching this directory, then contact them and ask to meet with the Youth Pastor.
The Youth Pastor can teach you about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which may very well be the most important thing you ever learn about.
I hope you look into what Jesus did for you, as I have suggested.
Best wishes,
Kim Bell, DPT
Great advice Kim and so true! Jesus Christ saved my life as well and he desires to have a relationship with all who seek Him out thank you for sharing this.
Thank you for sharing your testimonial
Hi Kim,
I drink occasionally about 1 to 2 times a week and sometimes drink too much. I am also a highly anxious person. I consider myself healthy I work out 5 days a week plus do 2 days of High Intensity training
Back in August for about a week and a half I was feeling really dizzy … lightheaded…and like a hot flash would go through my body. I went to doctor all the blood work came back good said I was electrolytes were low. Eventually it went away.
Fast forward to the last 5 days all the feeling is back. What’s different is I had a major presentation felt nervous and dizzy, went out to celebrate the night of, then started feeling dizzy and lightheaded again. I tend to feel more dizzy when I got to places like a supermarket or a Gym. Then I start to get dizzy and put myself through a panic attack. Once I get into a panic attack I get all sweaty and worse. This is such an awful feeling and looking on to manage this.
Hi Ken,
I suggest you notify your general doctor about this.
You may or may not need professional support for the anxiety component. You can chat to your doctor about care options as needed.
I suggest you seek out a vestibular examination using the directories I share this article.
If all your symptoms do not clear up after you complete a vestibular physical therapy treatment plan, then the next step I would suggest is consulting a Neuro-optometrist.
You can find a Neuro-Optometrist on this directory COVD.org. This may not be necessary if the vestibular PT gets you better!
I hope that points you in the right direction.
Sincerely,
Kim Bell, DPT
Hi Kim i get dizzy and imbalance upon standing
No alcoholic beverage at all. Don’t know if its vertigo
Hi Pamela,
This article is about dizziness with standing.
This is my definition of vertigo.
This article may help you find a vertigo doctor in your area.
I hope that information is helpful!
Best wishes,
Kim Bell, DPT
Hi, I’ve had a fainting spell occur once after drinking a small amount of alcohol-effects not very strong but my hearing got muffled and I got so lightheaded that I almost collapsed-is this a sign of something else other than vertigo? It’s not something that regularly happens to me but I do remember not eating much that day before the drink, if that has a major role in what happened.
Hi Flora,
Wow! That must have been scary.
I cannot speculate on this since it is unusual and I have not evaluated you in person.
I suggest you report this to your primary care doctor.
Then I suggest you follow whatever treatment plan that your doctor recommends.
It might also be valuable to find a Vestibular Physical therapist.
You can use this blog to search for someone online.
Best wishes!
Hi
For about 20 years now I’ve only been able to have two or three alcoholic drinks as I’m fine till I get home but when I lie down in bed within 30 mins my stomach starts to go off and I spend the next three – four hours throwing up and having diarrhoea. I’m not even drunk when I go to bed.
Is this likely to be due to vertigo ?
Hi S Doyle,
It sounds like your body cannot tolerate alcohol.
The alcohol may be irritating or inflaming your stomach.
I suggest that you limit your intake or stop drinking alcohol entirely.
You can consult a GI Specialist as needed, if these symptoms persist.
I am a very occasional drinker. This past summer I drank a bottle of wine and had vertigo for days. That was 3-4 months ago. Last night I was out with friends and nursed a single glass of wine. I came home and drank a bottle of water and went to sleep. The next morning, vertigo. This is not drunkenness.
Hi Renee,
Some people wake up with BPPV after drinking alcohol due to the dehydration that alcohol can cause.
You can learn more about BPPV here.
I hope you are feeling better!
Sincerely,
Kim Bell, DPT
Very nice, indeed.
I have never been able to drink even small amounts of alcohol without severe, and I mean SEVERE vertigo. If I slowly consume as little as half a beer or half a glass of wine over the period of an hour I can’t even walk across the room due the severity of the spinning sensation. I’m a 50 year old male, over 6′ tall weighing in at 170 pounds, my BAL would likely be no more than 0.01 at that time, yet I’m totally unable to function due to “the spins.” If alcohol is supposed to provide a pleasant sensation or whatever, I’ve certainly never experienced it, so I avoid it. I mentioned my experience to my PCP during an annual physical once and he just replied in the most unconcerned tone, “…well that’s good. At least you will never become an alcoholic.” Very true, but I’d still like to know what’s wrong with me that the slightest amount of alcohol instantly spins up my vestibular region for a couple of hours.
For the last two weeks I have woken in middle of night to go to the toilet and had felt a little dizzy, however during the day it didn’t happen. Two nights ago I was woken up from my sleep with terrible vertigo and had to get my husband to help me. I threw up and had to sit very still sitting up in bed. I have constant dizziness and need to keep my head position quite still.
The previous two days I had been restoring a wood piece with Zinnser, a primer paint that you can use over stained wood. It prevents the stain from bleeding through. I also did some painting on a wall using a water based paints. I used turps to clean the brush used by the Zinnser and washed the other brush normally.
At the end of the day I had 400ml of Rose wine with my dinner. I am not a heavy drinker of wine. I have had BPPV in the past. For the past two days I have tried to do the epley maneuvre thinking it could be the crystals but it did not work. I went to see my doctor and he gave me stemetil and a referral for a cat scan.
Could the fumes from the paint combined with the alcohol caused this reaction?
Hi Margaret,
I am sorry to hear about all this!
I am glad that you sought care with your doctor. Well done.
BPPV has a high rate of recurrence. Each time that BPPV recurs, you should get it treated as soon as possible.
This article talks about symptoms of BPPV which sound similar to what you shared.
Chemical sensitivities can cause C1 problems, or upper cervical issues.
That may or may not be related to a new onset of BPPV.
You may need to seek care with more than one provider to resolve this issue.
You can use this article to find a vestibular provider to assess and treat you for any possible BPPV.
This article and this article both talk about cervical issues.
You can search for an orthopedic manual PT who can treat the neck on this directory.
Best wishes!
Thanks so much! After reading this article and questions/ responses a lot make sense now. I guess I just need to stop drinking all together!
Hi. I overdrank beer, and now its more than month of dizziness and failing to concentrate. Its like am doing my daily chores out of instinct and familiarity. What can l do to end this?
Hi Doubt,
Dehydration can cause a new onset of BPPV.
BPPV often comes with a mild cognitive impairment.
You can use this article to search for a vestibular provider who can perform “particle repositioning maneuvers” if you have BPPV.
I hope that helps!
I was drinking on new years eve and one day later, I started getting really hot and feeling lightheaded all the time. This has been going on for a few day since then and it doesn’t seem to stop even if I sleep.