Last updated: October 3, 2026
Quick Answer: Acid reflux is not a proven direct cause of vertigo, but GERD and silent reflux (LPR) may be associated with ear problems and dizziness in some people. In my clinical experience, I have also seen patients whose vertigo episodes seem to occur along with periods of reflux.
Many people suffer from reflux and vertigo. Heartburn is a common symptom of reflux. If reflux becomes a chronic problem, it can develop into GERD, which stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Some patients have silent reflux, called laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), which can occur without noticeable heartburn. I wrote this blog to share my clinical observations about this widely overlooked connection while also looking at what current research tells us.
Key Takeaways
Reflux is not a proven direct cause of vertigo, but research suggests there may be an association between reflux and certain ear or vestibular problems.
The foods and situations that trigger reflux vary from person to person, so identifying your own patterns can be helpful.
Meal timing, sleeping position, lifestyle changes, and appropriate medical treatment may help manage reflux symptoms.
What is the Link between Reflux and Vertigo?
Research suggests there may be an association between reflux and peripheral vertigo, although reflux has not been proven to directly cause vertigo. A 2015 study found a significant association between GERD and peripheral vertigo, but the authors noted that more research is needed.
One proposed connection involves the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear with the back of the nose and throat. Researchers have questioned whether reflux reaching this area may contribute to inflammation or Eustachian tube problems that could affect the ear.
In my clinical experience, I have met many patients who complain of a new onset of vertigo after a great Italian dinner! That does not prove reflux caused the vertigo, but the timing can be a useful clue when looking for patterns.
Set Symptoms of Acid Reflux Disease, GERD or Heartburn. Gastroesophageal reflux disease. Flat vector infographic icons.
Food Triggers for Reflux and Vertigo
Managing reflux may help reduce symptoms for some people, especially when dizziness seems to occur around periods of reflux. The foods that trigger reflux vary from person to person, so identifying your own patterns is often more useful than following a long list of restrictions.
Common triggers can include spicy or high-fat foods, tomato-based foods, chocolate, alcohol, caffeine, mint, and carbonated beverages. You do not necessarily need to avoid all of these. Focus on the foods that consistently seem to trigger your reflux.
In my clinical experience, keeping a simple food and symptom diary can make those patterns easier to spot.
How Sleep Position Can Affect Reflux
- Position and meal timing can affect reflux, especially at night. If your dizziness tends to show up after reflux episodes, reducing nighttime reflux may help you identify whether the two are related.
- Avoid lying down for 2–3 hours after eating. No midnight snacking if that is a trigger.
- After meals, avoid vigorous exercise or repeated bending over. Walking is fine.
- If nighttime reflux is a problem, elevate the head of your bed with a wedge or bed risers.
- Sleeping on your left side may reduce nighttime reflux compared with sleeping on your right side.
A Clinical Observation About the Right Ear
I had a conference call with my physical therapy colleague Lesley Bludworth from Phoenix, Arizona. We both treat patients with vertigo, and she shared that she had noticed many patients with reflux and vertigo seemed to have more problems in the right ear.
I thought that was interesting, so I started tracking which side was involved in my own patients. After a few months of informal tracking, I also noticed that the right side was often the only problem or the worse side when both ears were involved.
I later discussed this with Shelby Shinkle, DPT, who added to our working hypothesis. Because reflux tends to be worse when sleeping on the right side, we wondered whether this could help explain why the right ear sometimes appears more involved.
This is an informal clinical observation and working hypothesis, not an established medical finding. Reflux can also occur with left-sided symptoms, and current research does not show that reflux predictably affects one ear more than the other.
Talk to Your Doctor and Make Lifestyle Changes
Talk to your doctor about whether reflux medication is appropriate for you and how long you should use it. Treatment depends on your symptoms, diagnosis, and how you respond.
Lifestyle changes can also help manage reflux. If you smoke, quitting may help. If weight loss has been recommended by your healthcare provider, that may also reduce reflux symptoms.
Some people also find that changing their diet, meal timing, and sleeping position helps. Personally, I drink alkaline water, try to avoid my food triggers, and sleep on my left side as much as possible. These strategies may help some people, but they are not a substitute for medical evaluation or treatment when needed.
When to See a Doctor
Talk with a healthcare provider if your reflux or dizziness keeps coming back, is getting worse, or is interfering with daily life. Reflux symptoms also deserve medical evaluation if you have trouble swallowing, persistent vomiting, signs of bleeding, unexplained weight loss, or chest pain.
Seek urgent medical care for new, severe dizziness or vertigo with symptoms such as weakness or numbness, trouble speaking, fainting, severe headache, chest pain, double vision, sudden hearing changes, or difficulty walking.
The Bottom Line
Reflux is not a proven direct cause of vertigo, but there appears to be enough of an association that it is worth paying attention to the pattern, especially if dizziness seems to occur around reflux episodes.
In my clinical experience, some patients make progress when they identify and manage overlooked reflux triggers. If you want to learn more about the broader connection between digestive health and dizziness, read my article about the gut and vertigo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can acid reflux cause dizziness or vertigo?
Reflux has not been proven to directly cause vertigo, but research suggests an association between GERD and some peripheral vestibular problems. If reflux and dizziness repeatedly occur together, the pattern is worth discussing with your healthcare provider.
Can silent reflux cause dizziness?
Silent reflux, or LPR, can occur without typical heartburn. Research has explored links between LPR and ear or Eustachian tube problems, but it has not established silent reflux as a direct cause of vertigo.
Why do I feel dizzy after eating a large meal?
Dizziness after eating can have several causes, including reflux, blood pressure changes, blood sugar changes, dehydration, or migraine triggers. Repeated symptoms after meals should be evaluated rather than assumed to be caused by reflux alone.
Does sleeping on the left side help acid reflux?
It may. Research suggests that sleeping on the left side can reduce nighttime reflux compared with sleeping on the right side.
Can treating reflux stop vertigo?
Treating reflux may help some people whose dizziness seems to occur with reflux episodes, but vertigo has many possible causes. Persistent or recurring vertigo should be properly evaluated so the underlying cause is not missed.
Disclaimer
This blog is provided for informational and educational 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.
Hi Dr kim,
I completely agree with vertigo and gerd. I suffer since jan 6th 2021 Bppv after so many visit to ER they did maneuvers which settle, however i never had acid reflux or burping issue prior to vertigo. It started right after maneuvers not sure if my vagus nerve acting funny. Also i have low iron so Dr gave me fera max not sure if that triggers more i stop n started eat ing iron rich food. Every night between 12 n2 am ,im up with burping n vertigo it just come quickly n goes away. Now past two weeks i changed diet i stop spicy,no oil, i started high on probiotics yogurt n kefir which is helping. I see reduce some days not at all,, i stop on med to acid medication no more since i start kefir one cup a day, hoping it will stop completely. Same time i have neck arthritis as well so all rated to each other. I will appreciate if you have and additional advise which can help me fight with vertigo. I wish you visit canada i would love to be your patient. I always follow your blog amazing information. Thanks a lot.
Hi Samira,
I am happy to help!
In case you have not seen the first blog I published about the link with the gut, here is a link.
People have posted some very interesting comments on that blog as well.
For your neck, I would recommend an orthopedic manual physical therapist. You can search the provider directory at this link if you want.
I hope you feel better soon!
Kind regards,
Kim Bell, DPT
My symptoms are very similar and have been looking for answers for some time. Doctor thinks might have silent reflux Wake up in night feeling dizzy nauseous need to go to toilet
Have BPPV as well but is a different feeling and that doesn’t happen too often .
Get migraines and recently had a neck x ray and discovered have osteoarthritis
Sick of feeling sick !!
Thank you for sharing your story, Carol!
I have suffered from acid and internal stress issues for a long time. Recently I woke up one day and started feeling like a light headedness and a weird dizziness. The dizziness for me can be more described as jet lag feeling like your bobbing up and down. As per the doctor I have been using heartburn medication but I am still on a hunt for self diagnosis and repair.
Hi Dr. KIM,
Thank you for your article and to all the Helpful comments. I can relate in 2020 I was told I had hpylori i took antibiotics to get rid of hpylori which helped however, ever since then for the past two years I have had acid reflux were I feel tired, shortness of breath, dizzy, dry mouth at night, white tongue, hoarse voice, light headed, from all these symptoms what really bothers me and keeps me from living a normal life is the dizziness. In 2020 i was also diagnosed with sleep apnea yet ever since I have always felt that maybe the symptoms that led to me getting a sleep apnea test were all along acid reflux? I use a cpap religiously however, I question if acid reflux was the cause all along. Back to the dizziness this year I was also told I had a mild neck herniation c6 therefore, I am not sure if that can also be causing my dizziness? I was told by multiple neurologist that it is very minor and shouldn’t worry about it I am getting physical therapy. I don’t like feeling dizzy, with foggy brain, tired and out if breath or taking weeks off of work due to symptoms. I will be taking acid reflux pills, nasal spray, and allergy pill to see if that helps. Did I mention that the right side of the back of my head seems to feel heavier, with headaches, my right nostril gets congested, and my right eye seems to tear up more. I hope and pray for a solution to all of us suffering with dizziness. I have also had an EKG and that came back fine as well as other blood work. I will try to be more strict with my diet more than I already are being. DR. KIM does my case sound like the vestibular can be playing a role here due to avid reflux? Thank you for your insight any feedback is greatly appreciated.
Hi Ana,
All root causes should be considered if you have a mystery case.
This blog on dizziness from the neck and this blog with more information on the topic of cervicogenic dizziness may be helpful for you.
I have many seen patients with cervicogenic dizziness who were told by their neurologist that the symptoms could not possibly be from their neck.
Even so, you need to do whatever it takes to feel better. You may still choose to seek out physical therapy or chiropractic care for your neck to see if it helps.
Upper cervical care is an advanced area of practice within physical therapy or chiropractic care that can help patients with dizziness from their neck.
You may also need to read up on the side effects of any medications you are taking, because symptoms like dizziness and dry mouth are common medication side effects.
If you have any concern that your medication side effects could be causing discomfort, talk to your doctor about it before you make any changes. You should always take your medication as prescribed by your doctor.
The shortness of breath is not caused by vestibular problems or neck problems. You should seek medical care as needed for that symptom.
This article is about dizziness due to respiratory problems.
Your case sounds complicated, but certainly consulting a vestibular physical therapist is a good step for anyone with dizziness.
Some antibiotics are ototoxic, which means they can cause vestibular problems.
Antibiotics can also affect digestion, so you may want to read this article and the comments below.
You can use this article to search for a vestibular provider in your area.
You may need to see more than one health care provider for a full recovery due to the complexity of your case.
The best way to clearly present your case to your team of health care providers is to answer the questions I ask in this blog.
I hope you feel better soon!
This sounds like my problem!
I have been diagnosed with Acid Reflux and it could even be Gerd.
The doctor told me took meds for reflux because I coughed a lot.
But I have noticed feel dizzy at times after eating and ear on right side feels odd just like maybe inner ear trouble.
I am supposed to have a CT scan of chest because I had lung nodules with a x-ray.
Was on reflux meds x 4 months now.
After CT scan guess will find out what’s going on.
Hello. I’m 21 but I’ve been suffering from acid reflux I think since I was 13. I will feel so lightheaded all day and so dizzy plus the added nauseousness. I resulted to forcing myself to vomit and after that i feel better.
Everything I stated feeling all the symptoms I immediately vomit to stop feeling all those bad reaction of my body.
Just this 2023 I started getting dizzy all of a sudden without feeling nauseous and I’m not full at all to vomit.
That it’s started to get concerning when I’m just standing on the stairs and about to fall when my dizziness kicked in. I thought it was normal cause I was wearing heels.
Now I felt it often and it’s scaring me.
I woke up earlier feeling really dizzy that I can’t even stand but I have to so I can vomit.
It went away for a whole day and now I’m laying in bed, Feeling dizzy, nauseous and an acid just went to my nose cause the urge to vomit suddenly.
Also I burp so loud and long and occasionally feel that when I’m too full.
Please help me, I’m having too many negative thoughts and it’s making me panic. Thank you so much.
Hi Lee,
I’m sorry to hear that! It sounds like your problem needs to be addressed by a health care provider so you can receive individual medical advice.
I always suggest for you to report this to your primary care provider to get started with medical care for this problem.
Your doctor may refer you to specialists like ENT MD or GI MD. This acid can affect your throat so it likely needs to be addressed by a professional medical specialist.
You can also use this blog to search for a vertigo doctor in your area. That person can check you for concurrent vestibular problems, which can cause dizzy spells.
I also wrote two blogs that talk about how reflux may link with dizzy spells:
Click Here
Click Here
I’m not sure if you are drinking alcohol, but that is a common lifestyle choice for a 21-year old who is going out in heels. Alcohol can make reflux worse.
I wrote an article about alcohol and vertigo here.
I hope that information helps!
Best wishes
I have this dizziness as well, especially when I am at bed. I also feel ear pressure and pain. I think I have silent reflux which could be due to low stomach acid. I am trying Betaine HCL. It’s been 2 days of taking these, but haven’t seen any improvement yet. I’ll continue these for a week and see.
I’ve been having acid reflux related issues for about 10 years and there’s been no improvement. I’ve had 7 gastroscopy’s and been diagnosed with Esophagitis. My heart and lungs are in good shape. I get the lightheadedness and shortness of breath very often. I don’t have much heartburn but lots of burping. I probably have silent reflux. One thing that helps me when I feel lightheaded is forced burping. I sit down and hug my knees or push under my sternum(breastbone) with my fingers which makes me burp. It gives me instant relief and gets rid of the lightheadedness. The gases build up due to the relaxed Les/sphincter. I take PPI’s everyday and I sometimes think that the excessive gas could be a side effect. One day I will feel good and the next day hopeless. Spicey food doesn’t bother me but caffeine and chocolate does. About 5 years ago food got stuck in my esophagus and I thought I was going to die. My work colleagues called the ambulance and when they arrived the paramedic asked for a can of coke which I drank and there was instant relief, unbelievable. It happened because my esophagus was inflamed. Hasn’t happened since I started taking PPI’s. Hate the lightheadedness especially when driving or at the shops. Forced burping helps.
Thank you so much for this article. Put me at somewhat ease.
Now I have a better idea of what to do to resolve my symptoms.
May peace and great health be upon you.
Very helpful will try
I have had vertigo with throwing up and tying me to the bed for 4-5 days. I have started doing keto and the throwing up has gone since a year but I have ongoing BPPV at the slightest movement of the neck position, mostly while lying down or immediately upon laying my head to the pillow or getting up from bed or a chair. Everything spins which is debilitating. Will the AIP diet help as I read inflammation can cause this disorder. I get this more when I sleep on left side and move position to the middle or right. But my ongoing ringing noise is in the right year and suddenly gets crazy loud in the right ear also though right ear perpetually rings. I have Hashimotos from past 26 yrs and the vertigo started 17 yrs ago; are the hypothyroidism, vertigo and tinnitus all related? I read high oxalates’ foods can cause these ear issues. Is there truth to this? ENT said calcium crystals fall off and get back, while another said acid reflux. Do we have to ‘feel’ the acid passing up the esophagus or can it occur without us experiencing the acid feel? Mostly I donot get it but occasionally can feel the burn as it goes up my throat. But my BPPV happens ehrn I donot feel the acid also. Am afraid to go to bed as the spinning nightmare begins and I have conditioned my brain to shift sides extremely cautiously and slowly for fear of another spin. Is AIP healing this or needs physical therapy also in conjunction?
Hi Samantha,
You can have silent reflux. It’s called LPR. That may be a factor.
I suggest you find a vestibular physical therapist.
You can use this article to search for someone near you.
I hope you feel better soon!
I was doing fine one morning. The only difference is that I took a pill to burn fat which I had done that before. Then, in the afternoon I started to feel light headed to the point of a horrible episode of vertigo. After I vomited at night. I felt better and my next day was okay. But now ever since I eat something heavy, I cannot go to the bathroom regularly and the episodes of vertigo are coming more often. The doctor only told me I might have a virus, but it’s been almost two weeks and this dizziness is still hunting me. I do not function well.
I have acid reflux have for years.
Also diagnosed with Menieres, my right ear always rings, has for the last 5 years and I get diziness a lot seems to happen more after salty food or dairy.
Trying to watch my diet of gluten and dairy but every night my nose gets clogged up has for years.
I can’t even taste my food anymore, been trying a Nettie pot which seems to help.
I believe I have food intolerance and Acid reflux.
Could the stuffy nose everynight be what I am eating?
Tried probiotics and digestive enzymes, But for some reason the digestive enzymes make me more dizzy.
Thinking I have a histamine intolerance too. Leaky gut for sure!
Sherry S
Hi Sherry,
It sounds like you are really piecing together a full picture of these various, but potentially inter-related health issues.
In my experience, if the clogged nose is related to the gut – it can be a response to “histamine producing foods.”
You could try to reduce or eliminate histamine producing foods for at least four weeks to see if that helps.
Click here to learn more from a histamine intolerance article.
You may also be having this type of response to something besides food triggers like dust mites, airborne allergens, or pet hair.
If you don’t already have a good HEPA air filter, you may want to get one for your bedroom.
You can also try washing your pillowcases more frequently.
Sometimes my husband and I have to vacuum our room twice a day when our dog is shedding to prevent our nose clogging at night.
I have many other suggestions that I share with my patients who suffer with sinus congestion and their nose getting clogged. Your question is making me think I should create a blog focused on that topic, which I may do you in the future.
Thank you for your excellent question!
Hi Dr. Bell,
I’ve been having dizzy episodes where at the same time i get ear fullness and extreme bloating in the abdomen. Usually episodes are provoked by running or jumping. I do have acid reflux that flairs up once in a while but bloating seems like a constant issue, no matter what i eat. Any suggestions if reflux causes bloating and it presses on the vagus nerve and that causes dizziness? ENT did the testing and my vestibular system is totally fine. Thank you.
Hi Kristina,
It sounds like you may benefit from consulting with a specialized physical therapist with training in visceral manipulation.
Those specific physical therapists know how to assess the vagus nerve function and abdominal issues like bloating and acid reflux.
This page is the leading institute that trains providers in visceral manipulation.
I believe I saw a link to find a therapist when I scrolled down that page further.
I hope that helps!
Been suffering from vertigo for months & neck sourness. Most of the time it’s when I get up in the morning or just rolling over in bed. Right ear only, not left, gurgles alot. Don’t feel nausea, just spinning. Thought it was the elevated BP but this article makes sooo much sense. Massaging my neck helps alot. So, what now? Thanks very much Doc
Hi Sean,
I am glad that my article helped!
It sounds like you may need to address multiple issues to maximize your recovery.
You can consult a vestibular physical therapist for the vertigo rolling over in bed. You can use this article to search for a local provider.
You may need a GI doctor consult or work with a nutrition professional on getting your reflux under control to prevent this recurring issue.
If your neck needs care, I discuss strategies for that in three articles:
Article 1 on the neck
Article 2 on the neck
Article 3 on the neck
Depending on where you live, you may be able to find an orthopedic manual therapy provider for your neck on this website.
I hope that helps!
Best wishes
I have experiencing symptoms for about a month now. I haven’t been able to enjoy anything with caffeine without getting dizzier no nausea at all. I have never thrown up. I haven’t fallen. It feels like I’m teetering back and forth. I was told I MIGHT have GERD..but they weren’t sure. I had diarrhea for a while. Recently when I eat certain things I get overheated, dizzy, a bit of a headache, and my upper abdominal hurts as well as lower. The only thing tha has stayed constant has been the vertigo. I am so tired of feeling this way. 🙁
I am going through the same thing. Has anything helped you?
Hope we get well soon.😢
Are you fine now? Tell me because I’m also suffering for 2 months.
Thank you for this great article Doc! I don’t know if by lowering the acid connects in maintaining ph balance. I keep my acidity level low by drinking alkaline water and eating right. I also rest properly after a hard day’s work, which makes me less stressed and more relaxed.
Hello, do you have a study or finding reports that I can use for my VA exam about the link between Reflux and Vertigo/Dizzyness?
Or will this information be enough to bring with me next week to my VA exam to use as a medical nexus?
I was confused at first when VA wanted my doctor to fill out these forms:
DBQ INTESTINAL CONDITIONS (OTHER THAN SURGICAL OR INFECTIOUS)
DBQ ESOPHAGEAL CONDITIONS
DBQ HEADACHES (INCLUDING MIGRAINE HEADACHES)
Now, I understand now because I have them symptoms.
This article may help:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26115947/
Best wishes!
Please explain left side sleeping over right in more detail.
I get how gastric fluid may approach the right E tube side lying.
What I am struggling with is that the pyloric sphincter is down with the esophageal sphincter up in a right side lying position.
Gravity would be in favor right side lying and in theory based on anatomy I would be inclined to recommend lying on the right to reduce Gerd or acid reflux symptoms.
Personally, if I eat a large meal and then am side lying on left I get reflux but not when side lying on right.
Would love to hear more clear reasoning behind your recommendation.
Thank you
Hi Steve,
This is a great question!
The sphincter that we are interested in examining in this discussion is called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES).
Research has shown that the LES becomes more relaxed when lying on the right side and thereby exposes the esophagus to more acid backwash from the stomach.
I simplified that by describing it as “open.”
Lying on the left side also enhances the curvature of the stomach due to gravity, so that allows more space for the food contents to settle away from the LES.
This article has some good discussion regarding sleeping positions for people like you who feel that lying on the left side seems to cause reflux.
Reflux lying on the left side is less common, so the recommendations would be different in your case than what I discussed in this blog.
There are various pillows that have been developed to help reduce acid reflux.
If you cannot find a comfortable sleeping position, you can also consider using a special pillow.
I have had a recurrence of LPR after many years, started about 7 months ago, oddly presented this time with my teeth sore and mouth tasted metallic & watery. About 3 months ago it became more severe and I lost my voice, cough, throat clearing, classic LPR symptoms. A new symptom though this time has been my right ear is sore almost constantly and I am woozy (not vertigo) almost every day. I have been on 20mg Prilosec 2x/day for 3+ months, I am very consistent in my eating and drinking habits to relieve this condition. Gerd overall seems better, taste is still metallic and watery though, voice is back but ear still sore and wooziness remains. I do have BPPV which has always been resolved by doing the positioning maneuvers so that doesn’t seem to be the solution for the wooziness and never caused ear pain. I do see an ENT but he has not connected the ear pain and wooziness to the LPR. I am looking for some recommendations on next steps, it is really tough to live with dizziness every single day. Are these two issues connected and how can I resolve them?
Hi Joni,
It sounds like you are connecting some dots here!
My suggestion is to seek a referral to vestibular PT.
You can use this blog to search for a provider in your area.
Best wishes!
Hi Dr Bell,
I was diagnosed with LPR, and then H. Pylori. I was treated for the H. Pylori but the symptoms have never really gone away. Around the same time I was diagnosed with H. Pylori, I was diagnosed with Ménière’s disease. This was approximately 7 years ago. For the last 2 years my stomach issues have gotten worse and I’m now diagnosed with GERD. The meniere’s symptoms had always been manageable up until January of this year when the tinnitus returned and now over the past month the vertigo has been increasing to almost weekly. Both my primary care Dr and my ENT quickly dismiss my suggestion that my gastric issues are causing the vertigo and tinnitus and it’s incredibly upsetting. The medical treatment I’ve received for both conditions has been pretty disappointing.
Wow! This is good information! For many years now I suffer from GERD, gastritis, esophagitis, dysphasia etc. I have been taking PPIs and other medications, elevate my bed, modified my diet etc. been through many endoscopies and dilation. Every now and then, I slip up on my diet, and the GERD reminds me, it is still very much present! I also suffer from vertigo and was recently told by my neurologist that may vestibular migraine (not a typical headache but a lot of bright flashing lights in my eyes) is causing my vertigo. I even went to vestibular PT last year. But now I wonder if it is GERD causing sore throat, vertigo etc! I am going to be more observant and watch for what is triggering my vertigo. Thank you very much!
Hi Dr. Bell,
I have been having issues over the last five years with left sided weakness that they have not been able to diagnose.
I also had difficulties swallowing and had dilation of the esophagus done twice, biopsy of the stomach which came back negative, was on Pantolac and have had frequent sinus inflections.
I have seen the ENT, gastroenteralogist and neurologist.
The latest symptom have been having is every time I eat, small particles of food travels up the esophagus into the middle ear and up the sinus and this gives me infections, as well as, headaches.
No one seems to know what to do. Do you have any ideas?
Hi Juliet,
Wow! What a story.
Hopefully the neurologist is managing the left-sided weakness. You can request a referral to a neurologic physical therapist (credentials PT, NCS) if you want to work on that at some point.
Speech therapists (credentials SLP) can typically work with patients on swallowing.
Perhaps a speech therapy evaluation would be helpful since you are having trouble swallowing?
You can ask your doctor to refer you to a speech therapist for a swallowing consultation.
Best wishes!
Hi Dr. Bell,
I am from Pakistan.
My wife have suffering from vertigo pain.
She feel pain in her right shoulder and below her neck, so now a days I consult with a physiotherapist.
While doing physiotherapy, my wife burping many times.
And one thing is that when anybody touch her back or neck she is become unconscious and loss her control and fell down.
Hi Muhammad,
I hope you have found some answers and relief for your wife by now.
I am glad she is seeing a physiotherapist.
She may need to be examined by a neurologist and a cardiologist to receive individual medical advice for her condition.
You can talk to her general primary doctor about what medical referrals are necessary.
This blog may help regarding gut and vertigo.
This blog may help regarding neck pain and dizziness.
Best wishes
I have seen 2 problems at root of digestive complaints and related issues:
1. Hyperacidity due to taking trigger foods or stress even causing gastritis
2. Trapped air / large gas bubbles in intestine moving upward (wrong direction) especially when lying down when les relaxes causing gas to move into stomach and esophagus / throat etc.
Both problems we have resolved by taking raw potato juice and simethicone.
Raw potato juice can be taken between meals and before bedtime for 10 days on and 10 days off, 3 courses to heal gastritis related problems in stomach and also whenever one feels a gastritis attack coming.
The gas related issue can be resolved by taking simethicone after every meal and especially before bedtime (pubmed research article recommends this method). Many acid reflux or bile reflux sufferers will be helped by simethicone. 80 mg will suffice for most. Gasex brand is good enough, chewable tablet form works well.
Both are harmless for most and easy thing to try to fix issues. We live in a world where our thinking is complex and makes solving easy problems difficult. Also best to avoid carbonated drinks, spicy foods or whatever triggers in your diet that is not working for you
Your description, and many posts, match my condition perfectly:
LPR with severe vertigo
At first I didn’t have vertigo and used an antacid.
An endoscopy revealed the my esophagus was a normal pink color after a few months on omeprazole.
Then I tried to stop the antacid and started having severe vertigo.
Thanks for your post!
Hello! Same here, I take an over the counter antacid liquid medication and it really helps me during flare-ups
Hi Dr. Bell,
I am so happy I stumbled onto this article/page. For 3 years I have been suffering with vertigo. I also have pain in my right ear, right sinus, and right eye. This started when I developed GERD. I tried to speak with my GP about the vertigo, she denied the connection and told me to see a behavioral therapist I was nuts. So now I know I am not alone.
Thanks
Hi Dr. Bell,
im experiencing acid reflux a lot of times and one time last yr i felt so dizzy when i woke up from sleep and felt nauseous. i went to the hospital and they prescribed medication.
now, this is my third time experiencing dizziness because of it. yesterday i woke up from a nap and felt dizzy and nauseous. thanks to this article because it really helped me to understand my condition.
but now, what i don’t understand is why my head feels numb and big.
thanks for this post!
I have been having mild acidity and heartburn before June 2024.
In July 2024, I did Sinus Surgery and Septoplasty. After 3 months of recovery from surgery, I am having silent reflux and also vertigo when lying down on left side and BPPV when eating dry food if it’s going slowly in my throat and esophagus.
After having a meal, I get heart palpitations for some time.
When riding bike if there is good breeze it’s fine. If I am halted for traffic, then feel nauseated, feels stomach stiffness and heart starts racing.
All these symptoms are more in morning after having meal and in evening.
Now I wonder if this be because of GERD and acid reflux?
I also have burping, stomach pressure and encounter dizziness and nauseous especially when I finish eating. Not sure if it is due to gerd and vertigo? I had previously had vertigo attack and done BPPV but did not have vertigo and gerd together before.
I have this! I had vertigo so bad I was none functional. Multiple people tried all the various maneuvers and nothing worked at all. In doing my own research I discovered the connection between GERD and vertigo. I had already been diagnosed with GERD so I started treating my vertigo as a stomach problem. I changed my diet mostly to a Mediterranean diet and using antacids when necessary. I sleep on a wedge pillow, on my left side. I have meclizine and diazepam on hand at all times for emergencies. I now can go a year or more sometimes between attacks and even then I only have them when I get sloppy with my protocols. What’s most amazing is none of my doctors (I have lupus so I have many) were aware at all of this connection. Nor was my physical therapist. I hope they are teaching this in medical schools now.
I have had acid reflux for over 1 year. I believe It waa self-inflicted because by making a strong concoction of lemon, ginger and garlic juice. The burning is non-stop for days. So much so that I’m aware of when I don’t have it and that’s for about 2 days. Then what’s become the normal daily buring pain takes over. The nausea, gurgling stomach noises burning pain up to my throat and ears is awful. I’m conscious of what and when I eat. One morning I woke up to vertigo. Something I had never experienced. I’ve connected the dots that this is related to my reflux after being cleared of a neurological test. I was prescribed an acid blocker and they didn’t work, A can of coke has given me relief from time to time, I drink carbonated cold mineral water and that helps sometimes. I was prescribed fluticasone. But, it appears it’s causing the vertigo to occur sometimes. I don’t know what to take or do. I am now doing the vertigo exercises. The nausea and spinning that comes with this and the burning makes a miserable life. I would love to get my body back free of burning pain and now vertigo. I am happy to have made the connection. It makes sense. A remedy would be great!
Hi E.,
Some of my patients have successfully reversed acid reflux by drinking ONLY alkaline water and switching to a Mediterranean diet. I am not sure if that is right for you, but it might be worth looking into!
Also, you may need vestibular care to address the vertigo aspect of your case.
I hope you feel better soon!
It’s a bummer that this happened when you were trying to be “healthy” with your concoction.