Why You Get Vertigo After Drinking Alcohol
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Head in a whirlwind after drinking alcohol? Turns out, it can be more than just the normal hangover spins. If you’ve ever had a little too much to drink then you’ll know that nausea, dizziness, and headaches can all be part of the painful aftermath. However, drinking can cause even more debilitating symptoms of vertigo for some.
Vertigo can be an incredibly disorienting experience. Whether we have vertigo or would like to prevent the risk of experiencing any symptoms, learning more about how alcohol affects the body can shed some light on why alcohol and vertigo are commonly associated. Let’s take a closer look at the science behind the connection between vertigo and alcohol and provide some strategies to stay away from the spins.
Vertigo is a condition characterized by sensations of spinning or swaying. Despite the perception of movement, these sensations occur when we or our surroundings are completely still.
Imagine experiencing the whirling feeling of riding Disneyland’s infamous teacups while sitting quietly in a chair.
To better understand the connection between alcohol and vertigo, let’s first look at how vertigo happens.
Vertigo can present with a wide range of uncomfortable symptoms. Not everyone will experience all the symptoms, and the severity of the manifestations will vary. Common vertigo-related experiences include:
These symptoms can occur as a result of two different types of vertigo — peripheral or central vertigo. Let’s examine in further detail what causes the different types of vertigo.
Peripheral vertigo is caused by problems in the inner ear or the vestibulocochlear nerve that sends signals to the brain. Central vertigo is caused by impacts on the brainstem or cerebellum. Specific causes of vertigo include the following:
After exploring the different causes of vertigo, we see that alcohol and vertigo are positively correlated. Let’s take a closer look at how alcohol affects our brain and systems in our body to understand how alcohol and vertigo are connected.
Alcohol is categorized as a central nervous system depressant. The central nervous system is in charge of sending and receiving messages between the brain and body. Alcohol slows down the sensory input we need to orient ourselves in space. An extra few milliseconds can make a huge difference when it comes to standing up straight.
Additionally, alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it dehydrates us by stimulating urine production. This can affect the fluid of the inner ear that allows us to control our balance. This combination of sensory inhibition and inner ear fluid disruption directly causes vertigo.
So what does that mean for those of us who are prone to experiencing this disorienting dizziness?
Ever have “just one more cheat day” that turns into a cheat week or month before starting a diet? Some of us may fall into the trap of black-and-white thinking, reasoning that since we already experience vertigo, having a drink or two won’t matter. However, drinking while already susceptible to vertigo will only make it worse and may lead to permanent damage.
Let’s further examine the direct impacts that drinking alcohol has on vertigo.
Now that we’ve acknowledged the direct correlation between alcohol and vertigo, let’s take a look at four ways that alcohol can impact vertigo.
Even small amounts of alcohol have the potential to elicit vertigo, especially for those of us who are more susceptible. Luckily, if you do experience vertigo after drinking alcohol, there are ways to help manage the unpleasant effects.
If you experience vertigo symptoms while drinking, it’s best to stop immediately. Focus on hydrating and resting while the body works to process and break down the alcohol.
When vertigo symptoms appear during a hangover, it may exacerbate other hangover experiences. Some ways to help relieve vertigo symptoms include the following:
While there are methods that can help relieve symptoms of vertigo, the solutions are only short term. Here are some things to try:
Dizziness is often brushed off as a normal hangover symptom. But the link between vertigo and alcohol helps to explain why we may suffer from more than just the spins. Understanding how alcohol causes and worsens vertigo can motivate us to make more intentional decisions about drinking. There are plenty of ways to reduce alcohol-induced vertigo symptoms, but ultimately, decreasing alcohol intake will decrease the risk of vertigo. Settle the spins, and take back control of your relationship with alcohol!
1. Can I drink alcohol with vertigo?
Since alcohol negatively impacts the occurrence and severity of vertigo symptoms, it’s probably best to avoid alcohol if you are prone to experiencing vertigo.
2. Tips for how to stop the spins when drunk?
Drinking water, eating a proper meal, holding onto something stable, and taking deep breaths can all help reduce the spinning sensation that alcohol can cause.
3. Does vertigo get worse after drinking alcohol?
Yes, alcohol can cause short-term increases in the severity of vertigo symptoms. Chronic alcohol misuse increases the risk of developing chronic vertigo.
4. How can I reduce hangover vertigo symptoms?
Certain body positions, proper hydration, and medication are some ways to help relieve vertigo symptoms.
5. How to prevent vertigo from drinking?
The most effective method to prevent vertigo when drinking is to practice moderation or choose low- or no-alcohol options.
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