Vertigo with vomiting

When the inner ear reports movement that does not match what the eyes see, the brain may respond with nausea and vomiting. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo can cause vomiting after a head-position change. Meniere's Disease may combine vertigo with ear pressure, ringing, or hearing changes, while Migraine can cause vertigo and vomiting with or without head pain.

A Middle Ear Infection may cause dizziness with ear pain, fever, discharge, or reduced hearing. These are possible causes rather than a diagnosis based on vomiting. Read the general [Vertigo](/symptoms/vertigo/) guide for symptom context.

Lie on your side or sit supported in a quiet place. Keep your head as still as is comfortable, use a bowl or bag nearby, and take small frequent sips once vomiting eases. Avoid alcohol, driving, bathing alone, and sudden head movements. Ask someone to stay with you if you are unsteady.

Keep track of fluids, urine output, the start of symptoms, head movements, headache, hearing changes, fever, and medicines. Do not perform an [Epley Manoeuvre](/treatments/minor-procedures/epley-manoeuvre/) unless a clinician has confirmed positional vertigo and advised that it is safe.

Seek emergency help for vomiting with new weakness, facial drooping, speech difficulty, fainting, severe new headache, new double vision, severe coordination trouble, chest pain, or inability to stand safely. Urgent assessment is needed when fluids will not stay down, urine becomes very infrequent, or you become unusually drowsy.

Contact a doctor promptly for a first episode, repeated attacks, new hearing loss, severe ear pain, fever, ear discharge, or symptoms that do not settle. Dehydration can become a separate problem while the cause is being investigated.

Ask whether your pattern suggests positional vertigo, migraine, or an ear disorder. Ask how to replace fluids, whether an anti-nausea medicine is suitable, whether hearing or balance tests are needed, and which symptoms require emergency care.