Caring
Is your dizziness caused by ear problems?
There are many causes to dizziness such as low blood pressure or dehydration, but did you know ear problems are also one of them? This occurs because the balance organ is actually located in part of the inner ear, although our sense of balance actually comes from the coordination of the balance organ, the visual system and the muscles in the body. If you’ve experienced a spinning sensation coupled with decreased hearing or ringing in the ears, your dizziness might be caused by an ear disorder. You should see your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
The most common ear-related causes of dizziness include:
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo – This is a common inner-ear disorder among older people, where crystals normally located in the inner ear become dislodged. As your head moves, the crystals move causing dizziness.
- Labyrinthitis – An ear disorder that involves inflammation of the middle ear. It generally occurs after a viral infection.
- Meniere's disease – This is an inner ear disorder that causes severe hearing loss, tinnitus and dizziness.
- Acoustic neuroma – It is a non-cancerous tumour of the ear that causes ringing in the ears, hearing loss and balance problems.
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