Many people notice a link between caffeine and vertigo. For some people, caffeine can be a vertigo trigger. Other people may feel that caffeine is a relieving factor. This blog discusses some links between caffeine and vertigo.
Aggravating Factors for Dizziness or Vertigo
Caffeine can sometimes be an aggravating factor for certain conditions that cause vertigo. I will share four specific examples. For people with true Meniere’s disease, caffeine can trigger a vertigo attack.
People who are diagnosed with Meniere’s disease usually cut down on salt and caffeine to reduce attacks. For some people with vestibular migraines, caffeine can be a migraine trigger.
So these episodes may be linked to people with diagnoses like Meniere’s disease and vestibular migraines. If someone has anxiety-related dizziness, caffeine can heighten anxiety and worsen baseline dizziness.
Caffeine is also a diuretic, so it can cause dehydration. In turn, dehydration can cause dizziness or even precede vertigo. So caffeine and dizziness may be linked for people with anxiety-related dizziness or dehydration.
If you think that caffeine is making your dizziness or vertigo worse, then caffeine may be an aggravating factor for you.
Relieving Factors for Dizziness or Vertigo
For other types of migraines, caffeine may provide relief from a headache. For some migraine patients, caffeine can even stop a migraine attack in advance. So caffeine can both trigger and relieve a migraine, depending on the patient.
You are Unique
Whether your body has a connection between caffeine and vertigo depends on your unique vertigo triggers. It may have absolutely no connection at all for some patients who suffer.
You can discuss your situation with your doctor or a nutritionist to decide how much caffeine is appropriate for you to consume on a daily basis, if any.
For more information on the link between the gut and vertigo, click here.
For an article on the link between reflux and vertigo, click here.
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.
Had a brainstem stroke about 8 months ago. I am dizzy much of the time, but I also drink lots of coffee. It seems that after about my third cup I am dizzy for the next six hours. I will try to cut back and see what happens.
Hi Mike, thanks for dropping the info. I’m struggling with caffeine related dizziness. I stopped consuming a gallon every morning and have to replace it with herbal tea for hydration. Your experience is like mine so it was helpful to read. Thanks.
I’ve just turned 47 and starting Peri-menopause. 3 times over the last few months I’ve gone out for a coffee with a friend (I don’t usually drink coffee) and within 20 minutes have had a major bout of Vertigo thinking I was going to faint plus nausea. Really horrible sitting in a Cafe but couldn’t stand up. Caffeine definitely is a trigger for me.
I recently lost consciousness and fell down breaking my nose. I was on spring break week which means I generally drink more than usual coffee in the mornings. Preceding the fall I had about 3 cups of coffee and a 32 ounce cup of soda. The doctors could not pinpoint the reason for me passing out…but all I could come up with is the amount of caffeine.
I have a history of mild vertigo or vestibular imbalance, but for the past 3 months, I had no such experience, and my blood chemistry tests were all within reference range. This morning, upon getting up, I experienced light vertigo, and after 10 min. or so, only trouble walking steadilly, and the vertigo was gone. My question is what caused this all of a sudden. Last night I watched an opera on Youtube for two hours or so with Earpods on my ears. Also, about 4 oz of Moscato wine. I am 91 years old female, and fine cognitively. Can someone suggest what I should do or not do?
I only get Vertigo when I try to get out of bed in the morning or when I want to sleep on my left side — the room spins for about 5 secs then it’s gone. It could be because I drink Brandy and Coke lite.
Hi Anthony,
You may be interested in this article.