Alcoholism and Vertigo

How Alcohol Affects the Brain & Ears

We have discussed the risks associated with alcohol and how it can lead to impaired neurological functioning. However, you may not know that alcohol can also impact hearing resulting in hearing loss for some individuals.

In addition to neurological damage, research has found that chronic drinking can damage the central auditory cortex, the part of the brain that processes sound information. Because this damage is cumulative, consuming alcohol, even in moderation, can put you at risk for nerve damage and permanent hearing impairment.

The auditory nerve’s function is to transfer the sounds we hear to the auditory cortex, where it’s typically translated and understood. However, when long-term alcohol use damages the auditory cortex, we may not be able to understand the sound that’s been transferred. Consequently, it can take more time for the brain to process sound, and it can be challenging to distinguish sounds and voices from background noise.

Alcohol, the Inner Ear & Vertigo

The inner ear is responsible for both hearing and balance. When alcohol disrupts hearing and coordination, it results in problems with dizziness, spinning, and vertigo. Alcohol is absorbed into the inner ear fluid, which changes the fluid composition in the ear. This change leads to feelings of dizziness and imbalance. This is why a person may experience the room spinning after drinking alcohol.

Alcohol, Brain Cell Signals & Vertigo

As previously discussed, alcohol interacts with GABA, a neurotransmitter responsible for communication with the central nervous system. GABA and alcohol do not mix. The primary role of GABA is to regulate the nervous system in the body. It is responsible for balance, thinking, alertness, and the ability to move. The problem with alcohol is that when a person consumes alcohol, it depletes GABA production, which often shows short-term and long-term side effects during intoxication.

One of the side effects of alcohol and GABA depletion are symptoms of vertigo. One specific type of treatment for vertigo consists of medication stimulating the action of GABA in the central nervous system to relieve dizziness and anxiety.

Can You Drink Alcohol With Vertigo?

Due to the risks of alcohol intensifying symptoms of vertigo, it is not recommended to consume alcohol if you have a history of dizziness or other conditions associated with vertigo, such as Meniere’s disease, labyrinthitis, or BPPV.

Vertigo is not an independent health condition but a symptom of another underlying cause. Certain conditions can trigger a vertigo attack, and alcohol is a known activating agent, especially in the following conditions.

Conditions Associated with Vertigo: 

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) – This is a condition in which certain head positions or movements trigger vertigo.
• Meniere’s Disease-This condition is typically related to abnormal fluid buildup in only one ear resulting in vertigo symptoms.
• Upper Cervical Misalignment (UCM) – UCM interferes with the normal nervous system flow, causing your head and neck to be misaligned.
• Labyrinthitis- describes an infection or inflammation of the inner ear labyrinth.
• Vestibular Neuritis-This condition is similar to labyrinthitis but only affects the vestibular nerve and does not alter hearing.
• Cholesteatoma – This non-cancerous skin growth develops in the middle ear in response to repeated ear infections.
• Vestibular Migraine – This type of migraine may or may not involve headaches but generally includes symptoms such as vertigo, imbalance, nausea, and vomiting.