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Have you ever been on a ride at an amusement park that spun you around in circles? Did you walk completely fine after you stepped off, or were you stumbling around for a bit?
When we were younger, it was fun to spin around on the family office chair as the world blurred around you or see if you could turn the merry-go-round so fast that it caused a tornado.
When we do things like this, it makes sense that we may be disoriented and dizzy for a moment after, but have you ever had this same sensation happen without spinning around first? If so, it’s probably vertigo.
Vertigo isn’t an uncommon experience. Nearly 40% of adults in the United States say they’ve had vertigo at least once in their lives. While more often than not it’s a sign of something going on in your ear, like an infection, it can also be tied to alcohol consumption.
Our team here at Serenity Lane has years of experience helping people heal from alcohol use. We’ve seen time and time again that many people aren’t aware of the wide range of side effects that can occur because of it. To help our community make more informed decisions about their health, today we’re going to answer the question: can you get vertigo from alcoholism?
Vertigo is a very unique sensation. Many describe it as the world “spinning” around them. While experiencing vertigo it may influence your vision, sense of orientation, balance, and potentially cause nausea and vomiting.
Vertigo isn’t a condition, but rather a symptom. It isn’t always indicative of something more serious, but for those who experience it suddenly, or frequently, it can be worth seeking medical advice. Vertigo may be a sign of an ear infection, tumor, stroke, head injury, or other medical condition.
The sensation of vertigo is caused by the vestibular system being improperly stimulated. The primary source of this is connected to a series of parts in your inner ear, the primary one being the cupula and the fine hairs inside of it. When you move, these hairs are naturally stimulated. This all ties in with the vestibular system to inform the body of what’s happening to it to help maintain balance and spatial awareness. When these hairs are stimulated without movement, it can trick the brain into thinking you are moving. This experience is what’s known as vertigo.
The vestibular system primarily consists of coordination-related organs inside both of your inner ears, as well as parts of the brain such as the cerebellum. These are all connected together to make up your ability to understand where your body is in relation to the world around you. It’s responsible for your balance, posture, ability to walk a straight line, and other related things.
To better understand how drinking can cause dizziness and lack of coordination, it’s first important to understand the two primary types of vertigo: peripheral and central.
Peripheral vertigo is related to your vision. Those experiencing peripheral vertigo may have their vision shift as if they’re moving when they’re not. Their balance is often impeded, but they’re still generally able to walk.
Central vertigo, on the other hand, is more serious. It can also involve visual anomalies, but those with central vertigo experience severe impairment in their ability to move. The cause of central vertigo can be pinpointed in the brain and may be a sign of something more serious. Peripheral vertigo, however, is primarily caused by things influencing the eardrums.
Those who may be dealing with vertigo caused by alcohol consumption more often than not will have central vertigo. Alcohol consumption commonly interacts with the brain due to how it gets into the bloodstream, making it easier to get around the body and impacting more organs.
Alcohol use doesn’t specifically impact the vestibular system, but rather damages the brain as a whole over time. Because of the key part that the cerebellum plays in the vestibular system, vertigo occurs as a side effect of something more serious – brain damage from alcohol use.
There is a difference between being lightheaded and vertigo. If you’ve only ever experienced one, or maybe neither, it can be hard to fully imagine and understand it just by reading.
To put it simply, lightheaded dizziness is related to low oxygen levels, changes in blood pressure, or low blood sugar. It isn’t connected to your balance system and rather makes you feel like the wind has been knocked out of your sails. It can be sudden, onset exhaustion combined with your muscles feeling like they can’t work anymore. The term “lightheaded” also stems from one of the feelings you can get during a bout of it. It’s like your head suddenly and rapidly loses thought and weight.
Vertigo dizziness doesn’t make you feel disconnected from reality like lightheaded dizziness can. Instead, it causes physical disorientation, vision shifts, stumbling, and the sensation of falling over. It’s caused by injury and illness more than external factors.
However, these two conditions can go hand-in-hand, and in fact, have several overlapping symptoms. They both can make you nauseous, cause you to vomit, make you fall over or collapse, and cause headaches.
As with most conditions, there are other factors that can increase the risk of you developing a symptom like vertigo. Here are some of the most common examples:
If you’re experiencing vertigo, first and foremost it’s important to try and sit or lie down if possible. Continuing to move while impaired is not advised as you’re at an increased risk of injuring yourself.
Take deep, calming breaths and close your eyes if it helps to do so. If not, try to find a stationary point in the space you’re in to focus on to reorient yourself.
To help prevent vertigo, it’s important to take care of your body. Hydration and proper nutrition both play key roles in this process.
If you’re experiencing vertigo and you have a history of alcohol use, it’s time to consider treatment for alcoholism.
Making a big change in life is daunting at times, but your health and well-being are important. You’re worth the time and effort. You can make a change in your life and pave a new path of healing and recovery.
Seeking treatment for an alcohol use disorder can reverse the negative effects alcohol has on the brain, including vertigo. It’s never too late to start recovery or return to it. There are options available right here in Oregon and Portland that will be there to support you every step of the way.
As one of the oldest non-profit rehabs in the state, our team at Serenity Lane is truly dedicated to every client who walks through our doors. We offer a treatment program that is built with your needs in mind to set you up for long-term success. Why wait? Give us a call today at 800-543-9905 to get started.
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